Marcus Autism Center, part of Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, and Emory University School of Medicine have been awarded up to $17.25 million for advanced autism research.

The grant from Aligning Research to Impact Autism supports a new international autism clinical trials consortium, Innovative Medicine and Precision Approaches to Clinical Trials (IMPACT) Network. Marcus received the maximum funding available and is one of 12 initial sites from the United States and Europe selected to join the network.

Researchers at Marcus and Emory will study new treatments for children with profound autism and related genetic conditions, including gene therapy and direct brain stimulation.

The Marcus Autism Center sign with trees and a building in the background.
Marcus Autism Center is one of the largest autism centers in the country. (Photo provided by Marcus Autism Center, Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta)

“We’re very proud to be a part of one of the most advanced clinical trials networks ever in the history of autism research,” said Ami Klin, PhD, Principal Investigator and Director of Marcus Autism Center, in a press release.

Marcus Autism Center is one of the largest autism centers in the country.

The award adds to a $21.9 million grant Marcus received earlier this year from The Marcus Foundation. The two grants combined total nearly $40 million to advance therapies for children with profound autism and related neurodevelopmental conditions.

Laura Scholz is an award-winning lifestyle journalist and Rough Draft’s senior health and wellness editor. Her work has appeared in Atlanta magazine, Eater, Outside, Runner’s World, Well+Good, and other top outlets.