AutNetKI awards pilot grants to advance transdisciplinary autism research

The initiative provides early-stage funding to projects that combine expertise across fields, with the aim of generating proof‑of‑principle data and paving the way for larger research efforts. Each awarded project receives SEK 100,000 for a 12‑month period starting in July 2026.

Proposals were required to involve at least two applicants from different research groups and to demonstrate how integration across disciplines could advance research beyond a single-field approach.

Following an initial eligibility screening, all the five applications were evaluated by an independent expert panel, including both KI-based and external researchers, as well as representatives from the autistic community.  Projects were assessed based on scientific quality, feasibility, novelty, relevance to autism research, and the strength of the transdisciplinary collaboration. The final decision was made by the members of AutNetKI steering committee who did not have conflict of interest with the applicants.

Funded projects

After the review process, the following projects have been selected for funding:

• Beyond Diagnosis: Mapping Risk and Resilience in Autism, from Childhood Traits to Adult Mental Health During Population-Level Crisis
  Irzam Hardiansyah – Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics (MEB), Karolinska Institutet
  Karl Lundin Remnelius – Center of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (KIND), Karolinska Institutet
• Early Autism Risk After Preterm Birth: Sensory Profiles and Polygenic Prediction
  Alba Escalera Balsera – Research Group Tammimies, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet
  Samson Nivins – Division of Neonatology, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet
• Exploring SSRI-mediated placental-brain axis changes in autism
  Abishek Arora – Sezgin Lab, Department of Women’s and Children’s Health & SciLifeLab, Karolinska Institutet
  Linda Ok – Cruceanu Lab, Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Institute of Environmental Medicine, Karolinska Institutet
• Linking SHANK Mutations to Aggression in Neurodevelopmental Disorders: Integrative Behavioral and Molecular Insights Across Mouse Models and Humans
  Judith C. Kreutzmann – Neurotraumatology (Svensson/Kjell), Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet
  Yali Zhang – Center of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (KIND), Department of Women’s and Children’s Health, Karolinska Institutet

Building foundations for future research

A key goal of the AutNetKI pilot grants is to support collaborations at an early stage, particularly new or newly defined partnerships, that can develop into sustained research efforts. By enabling small, agile projects, the program aims to foster novel perspectives and accelerate the development of impactful research directions. As part of the program, grant recipients will present their findings at AutNetKI seminars and submit a short report outlining outcomes and next steps. 

AutNetKI thanks all applicants for their high-quality submissions and looks forward to following the progress of the funded projects.