Systems for Phenotypic Evaluation, Clinical Trajectories, Response, and Agency (SPECTRA)
This solicitation funds technology and system development to measure autism phenotypic trajectories across the lifespan and to create tools that both support everyday communication/function and generate data for personalized care.
⚑ Federal contract solicitation (not a grant); applicant restrictions apply but specific eligible applicant classes are not stated in the notice excerpt. · Program is centered on autism trajectories, assessments, and assistive/measurement technologies. · Amendments changed dates and proposal requirements; review the latest attachments and TA-specific instructions.
This is biomedical/clinical autism research with genetic, biological, and treatment-trajectory aims, which is far outside IPPRA’s survey, risk, energy, weather, and education policy portfolio. The team might touch a small behavioral-measurement or communication component, but not at PI level and not as their core program.
JUDGED AGAINST THE ROSTER'S PUBLICATION DOSSIER · GPT-5.4-MINI · 2026-10-30
Unit fits — one characterization, each unit's own rules
| Physical Sciences & Engineering (demo) | 65 good | technical depth: substantial; funds applied research |
| IPPRA | 58 good | outside portfolio topics; signature methods: community engaged; social/behavioral work is substantial; funds applied research; eligibility unclear — verify in the NOFO; biomedical core — IPPRA health lane is communication/crisis/policy (capped) |
| Tom Love Innovation Hub | 45 partial | funds applied research; prototyping/demonstration stage; deep-tech content |
Description
Amendment 2 (10/29/2026): Numerous changes including, but not limited to,: ISO updates in Parts I, II, III and VI; TA1 clarifications; TA2 updates; TA4 updates; Q&A link added Provides Attachment B1 for TA4 Proposal Requirements and Proposal Volume Templates. Provides Attachment A2 for TA1 Solution Summary Requirements and Attachment A3 for TA2 Solution Summary Requirements. Amendment 1 (10/14/2026): Update due dates and/or times of all TAs SPECTRA will identify and act on autism trajectories, the evolving developmental paths individuals follow across the lifespan from the prenatal period through aging, spanning autism characteristics, co-occurring conditions, and functional outcomes together with the genetic, biological, behavioral, iatrogenic (medical influences), environmental factors and their nonlinear interactions. Rather than examining these factors in isolation, SPECTRA will examine how they combine and interact, including their nonlinear interactions, to produce autism and its co-occurring conditions over time. SPECTRA will also develop technologies that serve two purposes at once: extending reliable assessment beyond the clinic while improving everyday communication, function, and quality of life. The same tools people use to live more fully will also generate the data that drive measurement and personalized care.
Eligibility
Applicant restrictions (federal contract). Set-aside: . Notice type: Solicitation. Organization: HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES, DEPARTMENT OF / NATIONAL INSTITUTES OF HEALTH / ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGENCY FOR HEALTH (ARPA-H).
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Proposal brief SEE AN EXAMPLE →
A one-page internal memo: fit assessment, submission requirements, document scaffold, and next steps dated back from the deadline — tailored to your project idea if you add one.
Proposal shell · HHS services agencies (SAMHSA / HRSA / CDC / ACF) conventions SEE AN HHS EXAMPLE →
Funder-faithful document skeletons — HHS services agencies (SAMHSA / HRSA / CDC / ACF)'s document set with section headings, page limits, reviewer guidance, and writing prompts; add a project idea to get [DRAFT] starter bullets. Download as .md for Word or Overleaf.