((a)) ** In general**

((1)) ** Expansion of activities** The Director of NIH (in this section referred to as the “Director”), in consultation with relevant Federal departments and agencies, as appropriate, shall—

((A)) subject to the availability of appropriations, expand, intensify, and coordinate the activities of the National Institutes of Health with respect to research on autism spectrum disorder, including basic and clinical research—

((i)) in fields, such as pathology, developmental neurobiology, genetics, epigenetics, pharmacology, nutrition, immunology, neuroimmunology, neurobehavioral development, endocrinology, gastroenterology, toxicology, psychiatry, psychology, developmental behavioral pediatrics, audiology, and gerontology; and

((ii)) on interventions to maximize outcomes for individuals with autism spectrum disorder; and

((B)) ensure that research referred to in subparagraph (A)—

((i)) investigates the causes (including possible environmental causes), diagnosis or ruling out, early and ongoing detection, prevention, services and supports across the lifespan, intervention, and treatment of autism spectrum disorder and co-occurring conditions, including dissemination and implementation of clinical care, supports, interventions, and treatments;

((ii)) examines supports for caregivers; and

((iii)) reflects the entire population of individuals with autism spectrum disorder, including those individuals with co-occurring conditions and the full range of needs for supports and services, including such supports and services to ensure the safety, and promote the well-being, of such individuals.

((2)) ** Consolidation** The Director may consolidate program activities under this section if such consolidation would improve program efficiencies and outcomes.

((3)) ** Administration of program; collaboration among agencies** The Director shall carry out this section acting through the Director of the National Institute of Mental Health and in collaboration with any other agencies that the Director determines appropriate.

((b)) ** Centers of excellence**

((1)) ** In general** The Director shall under subsection (a)(1) make awards of grants and contracts to public or nonprofit private entities to pay all or part of the cost of planning, establishing, improving, and providing basic operating support for centers of excellence regarding research on autism spectrum disorder.

((2)) ** Research** Each center under paragraph (1) shall conduct basic and clinical research into autism spectrum disorder. Such research should include investigations into the causes, diagnosis, early and ongoing detection, prevention, and treatment of autism spectrum disorder across the lifespan. The centers, as a group, shall conduct research in fields such as developmental neurobiology, genetics, genomics, psychopharmacology, developmental psychology, behavioral psychology, clinical psychology, and gerontology.

((3)) ** Services for patients**

((A)) ** In general** A center under paragraph (1) may expend amounts provided under such paragraph to carry out a program to make individuals aware of opportunities to participate as subjects in research conducted by the centers.

((B)) ** Referrals and costs** A program under subparagraph (A) may, in accordance with such criteria as the Director may establish, provide to the subjects described in such subparagraph, referrals for health and other services, and such patient care costs as are required for research.

((C)) ** Availability and access** The extent to which a center can demonstrate availability and access to clinical services shall be considered by the Director in decisions about awarding grants to applicants which meet the scientific criteria for funding under this section.

((D)) ** Reducing disparities** The Director may consider, as appropriate, the extent to which a center can demonstrate availability and access to clinical services for youth and adults from diverse racial, ethnic, geographic, or linguistic backgrounds in decisions about awarding grants to applicants which meet the scientific criteria for funding under this section.

((4)) ** Organization of centers** Each center under paragraph (1) shall use the facilities of a single institution, or be formed from a consortium of cooperating institutions, meeting such requirements as may be prescribed by the Director.

((5)) ** Number of centers; duration of support**

((A)) ** In general** The Director shall provide for the establishment of not less than seven centers under paragraph (1).

((B)) ** Duration** Support for a center established under paragraph (1) may be provided under this section for a period not to exceed 5 years. Such period may be extended for one or more additional periods not exceeding 5 years if the operations of such center have been reviewed by an appropriate technical and scientific peer review group established by the Director and if such group has recommended to the Director that such period should be extended.

((c)) ** Facilitation of research** The Director shall under subsection (a)(1) provide for a program under which samples of tissues and genetic materials that are of use in research on autism spectrum disorder are donated, collected, preserved, and made available for such research. The program shall be carried out in accordance with accepted scientific and medical standards for the donation, collection, and preservation of such samples.

((d)) ** Public input**

((1)) ** In general** The Director shall under subsection (a)(1) provide for means through which the public can obtain information on the existing and planned programs and activities of the National Institutes of Health with respect to autism spectrum disorder and through which the Director can receive comments from the public regarding such programs and activities.

((2)) ** Guidance** The Director may provide guidance to centers under subsection (b)(1) on strategies, activities, and opportunities to promote engagement with, and solicit input from, individuals with autism spectrum disorder and their family members, guardians, advocates or authorized representatives, providers, or other appropriate individuals to inform the activities of the center. Such strategies, activities, and opportunities should consider including, as appropriate, individuals, family members, and caregivers of individuals with autism spectrum disorder who represent the entire population of individuals with autism spectrum disorder, including those individuals with co-occurring conditions and the full range of needs for supports and services, including such supports and services to ensure the safety, and promote the well-being, of such individuals, to inform the activities of the center.

((e)) ** Budget estimate** For each of fiscal years 2026 through 2029, the Director shall prepare and submit, directly to the President for review and transmittal to Congress, an annual budget estimate for the initiatives of the National Institutes of Health pursuant to the strategic plan developed under and updated under , after reasonable opportunity for comment (but without change) by the Secretary and the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee established under .section 280i–2(b)(5) of this titlesection 280i–2(b)(6)(B) of this titlesection 280i–2 of this title