Autism Action (formerly Autism Centre Of Excellence)

Quick Stats

• Annual Giving: £1,493,438 (2024 expenditure)
• Grant Range: £500,000 - £1,000,000+ (research projects)
• Geographic Focus: England and Wales
• Application Process: No public application process - commissioned research only
• Primary Partner: Cambridge University Autism Research Centre

Contact Details

Website: https://autismaction.org.uk

Registered Office: Cambridge, England

Charity Number: 1191599

Company Number: 12435820

Overview

Autism Action (formerly the Autism Centre of Excellence at Cambridge) is a registered charity established in October 2020 that commissions breakthrough autism research. The charity also oversees research grants commissioned under its previous names: Autism Centre of Excellence at Cambridge (ACE) and the Autism Research Trust (ART). With an expenditure of £1,493,438 in 2024, the organization works primarily with Cambridge University's Autism Research Centre to fund world-class research on issues affecting autistic people's lives. The charity's mission is to commission research, involve autistic people at every step, and use evidence to improve support in areas including mental health, quality of life, and wellbeing. The Charity Commission confirms that the main way the charity carries out its purposes is through grant making.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

Autism Action commissions substantial research projects directly rather than operating an open grant program:

• Major Research Grants: £500,000 - £1,000,000+ commissioned for multi-year research projects
• Recent projects include:
• Music Therapy Study (2023): £1 million to examine whether music therapy improves wellbeing, communication, and daily living skills in autistic children
• Suicide Prevention Research (2024): £500,000 for research into suicide prevention
• Criminal Justice Study (2022): Research examining autistic people's experiences in the criminal justice system
• Vulnerability Research: Development of the Vulnerability Experiences Quotient (VEQ) to explore areas of vulnerability in autistic children and adults

Priority Areas

• Mental health support for autistic people
• Quality of life improvements
• Health and wellbeing research
• Educational approaches and outcomes
• Criminal justice system experiences
• Suicide prevention
• Communication and social skills development
• Vulnerability and safeguarding

What They Don't Fund

• Open applications from external organizations
• General autism services (focus is on research)
• International projects (focus is England and Wales)
• Individual support grants

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Governance and Leadership

Chair of Trustees: Fraser Hardie

Number of Trustees: 10

The charity operates as a charitable company with 10 trustees who receive no remuneration, payments, or benefits. The organization is recognized by HMRC for gift aid purposes. The charity works in close partnership with Cambridge University's Autism Research Centre, which conducts the research they commission.

How to Apply to Autism Action (formerly Autism Centre Of Excellence)

How to Apply

This funder does not have a public application process.

Autism Action commissions specific research projects directly rather than accepting open applications from external organizations. The charity identifies research priorities strategically and then commissions work to address those needs, working primarily with Cambridge University's Autism Research Centre. There is no evidence of an open application process, published eligibility criteria, or deadlines for external organizations to apply for research funding.

Research is commissioned based on:

• Strategic priorities identified by the charity
• Consultation with autistic people and communities
• Gaps in the evidence base
• Partnership discussions with Cambridge University's Autism Research Centre

Application Success Factors

Since this funder commissions research directly rather than accepting applications, the traditional application process does not apply. However, for organizations hoping to understand their funding approach:

Their Research Philosophy:

• "We commission breakthrough research, working with the world's leading academics"
• Strong emphasis on involving autistic people at every step of the research process
• Focus on generating “reliable data” to inform policy and practice
• Interest in “promising ideas that could transform life for autistic people”

Research They Value:

• Projects that address real-world challenges facing autistic people
• Research that can inform NHS service rollout and policy
• Studies that confirm or challenge the effectiveness of existing services
• Evidence-based approaches to improving quality of life

Recent Funded Projects as Examples:

• Large-scale intervention studies (£1 million music therapy study)
• Targeted research on specific vulnerable populations (suicide prevention, criminal justice)
• Development of assessment tools and frameworks (Vulnerability Experiences Quotient)

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

• No public application process: This charity commissions research directly rather than accepting applications, making it unsuitable for traditional grant seeking
• Strategic commissioning model: Research priorities are identified by the charity and then commissioned, typically from Cambridge University's Autism Research Centre
• Significant grant sizes: When they do commission research, grants are substantial (£500,000 - £1,000,000+)
• Primary partnership: The charity works almost exclusively with Cambridge University's Autism Research Centre for research delivery
• Participatory approach: Strong emphasis on involving autistic people in all stages of research
• Evidence focus: Interest in research that can directly inform policy, practice, and service delivery
• Not a general funder: This charity is specifically focused on commissioning research rather than funding autism services or organizations

Similar Funders

These funders have a similar focus and geographic reach:

• The John And Lorna Wing Foundation
• The O'sullivan Family Charitable Trust
• The Three Guineas Trust
• Foundations - What Works Centre For Children And Families
• The Rix-thompson-rothenberg Foundation
• Masonic Charitable Foundation
• Hfc Help For Children Uk Ltd
• The Bloomfield Charitable Trust
• The Geoff & Fiona Squire Foundation
• Cullum Family Trust

References

• Charity Commission Register: AUTISM CENTRE OF EXCELLENCE, Charity Number 1191599, accessed 27 November 2025, https://register-of-charities.charitycommission.gov.uk/charity-search/-/charity-details/5150402
• Autism Action website - Research page, accessed 27 November 2025, https://autismaction.org.uk/research/
• Autism Action website - What we do, accessed 27 November 2025, https://autismaction.org.uk/about-us/what-we-do/
• Autism Research Centre, Cambridge University - Funders page, accessed 27 November 2025