Opportunity profile: Autistica puts community first

Autistica is a research charity that prides itself on being led by the needs of the UK’s autistic community. Research and grants officer Cat Hughes tells Ben Upton what that means for applicants to its schemes.

Cat’s top tips

• Applicants should be careful to use language that is accessible and inclusive of autistic people in bids.
• Bids should resonate with themes in the charity’s research strategy.
• The charity is keen to support both early-career researchers and autistic people leading research projects.
• Keep an eye on the charity’s website for new opportunities.

Autistica has funded research geared to the needs of the UK’s autistic community since its creation in 2004. While the topical focus of its schemes has changed, its guiding principle of involving autistic people every step of the way has not.