NIH launches $50M Autism Data Science Initiative to unlock causes and improve outcomes
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) has launched the Autism Data Science Initiative (ADSI), a $50 million research effort aimed at uncovering the biological and environmental contributors to autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and improving outcomes across the lifespan. Thirteen funded projects will integrate large-scale datasets spanning genomics, epigenomics, metabolomics, proteomics, clinical records, behavioral data, and autism services, while also generating new targeted datasets. A key emphasis of ADSI is exposomics—the study of environmental, medical, and lifestyle factors in concert with genetic and biological determinants. Research will investigate influences such as prenatal exposures, maternal health, psychosocial stress, and immune responses, alongside genetic risk. Independent replication hubs will validate findings to ensure transparency, reproducibility, and real-world applicability. The initiative applies advanced analytic methods, including machine learning and organoid models, to examine gene–environment interactions and their role in the rising prevalence of ASD, as well as to inform improvements in services and adult outcomes. Developed in collaboration with the autism community, ADSI represents a landmark step in uniting diverse data resources to advance understanding of autism and support evidence-based strategies that can enhance the lives of autistic individuals and their families.