In The Politics of Autism, I discuss the Inter-Agency Autism Coordinating Committee and research priorities.
ACTION: Notice.
SUMMARY: The Office of the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is seeking nominations of individuals to serve as non-federal public members on the Interagency Autism Coordinating Committee (IACC).
DATES: Nominations will be accepted through Monday, November 10, 2025.
ADDRESSES: Nominations are due by Monday, November 10, 2025 and may be sent to Dr. Susan Daniels, Director, Office of National Autism Coordination/NIMH/NIH, 6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 6119, Bethesda, Maryland 20892 by standard or express mail, or via email to IACCPublicInquiries@mail.nih.gov. Please include full contact information (address, phone number, and email). Electronic confirmation of receipt will be provided. More information about the IACC is available at https://iacc.hhs.gov/.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Susan Daniels/Office of National Autism Coordination via email at IACCPublicInquiries@mail.nih.gov.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
As specified in the Combating Autism Act of 2006 (Pub. L. 109-416) and reauthorized by the Autism Collaboration, Accountability, Research, Education and Support Act of 2024 (Pub. L. 118-180).
The Office of National Autism Coordination (ONAC) of the National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health is assisting the Department in conducting an open nomination process. Appointments of non-federal public members to the committee shall be made by the Secretary of Health and Human Services.
Eligibility Requirements
Nominations of new non-federal public members are encouraged, and previous non-federal public members may also be re-nominated to serve if they have served only one term previously, in accordance with 42 U.S.C. 280i-2(c)(3). Self-nominations and nominations of other individuals are both permitted. Only one nomination per individual is required. Multiple nominations of the same individual will not increase likelihood of selection. The Secretary may select non-federal public members from the pool of submitted nominations and other sources as needed to meet statutory requirements and to form a balanced committee that represents a broad range of expertise and perspectives within the autism community in the United States and its territories.
Those eligible for nomination include individuals on the autism spectrum; parents, guardians, or family members of individuals on the autism spectrum; leaders or representatives of major autism research, advocacy, and service organizations; healthcare and service providers; educators; researchers; and other individuals with professional or personal experience with autism. Nominations of individuals from all U.S. states and territories, and individuals representing a range of lived experience, community service perspectives, and/or professional expertise within the autism community are encouraged. Nominations of individuals with a variety of disability and support needs are encouraged; requests for reasonable accommodation to enable participation on the Committee should be indicated in the nomination submission.
IACC non-federal public members are appointed as special government employees (SGEs) and are required to be at least 18 years old and U.S. citizens. Male non-federal public members must have signed up for the U.S. Selective Service in order to be eligible. To serve, SGEs must submit an annual confidential financial disclosure report used to determine conflicts of interest as well as a foreign activities questionnaire. Prohibited foreign activities include holding a position or title with a foreign governmental entity (including certain universities), and from receiving compensation and certain gifts from a foreign government. In accordance with White House Office of Management and Budget guidelines ( https://www.federalregister.gov/articles/2014/08/13/2014-19140/revised-guidance-on-appointment-of-lobbyists-to-federal-advisory-committees-boards-and-commissions), federally-registered lobbyists are not eligible. Federal employees may not serve as non-federal public members. IACC non-federal public members may be restricted from serving on other federal advisory committees while serving on the IACC and are subject to standard background checks associated with federal employment.
Responsibilities of Appointed Non-Federal Public Members
As specified in the Committee's authorizing statute (section 399CC of the Public Health Service Act, 42 U.S.C. 280i-2, as amended), the Committee will carry out the following responsibilities: (1) on a regular basis, monitor autism spectrum disorder research, and to the extent practicable, services and support activities, across all relevant Federal departments and agencies, including coordination of Federal activities with respect to autism spectrum disorder; (2) summarize advances in autism spectrum disorder research related to causes, prevention, treatment, early screening, diagnosis or ruling out a diagnosis; interventions, including school and community-based interventions, and access to services and supports for individuals with autism spectrum disorder across the lifespan of such individuals; (3) make recommendations to the Secretary regarding any appropriate changes to such activities, including with respect to the strategic plan; (4) make recommendations to the Secretary regarding public participation in decisions relating to autism spectrum disorder, and the process by which public feedback can be better integrated into such decisions; (5) develop a strategic plan for the conduct of, and support for, autism spectrum disorder research, which shall include (A) proposed budgetary requirements; and (B) recommendations to ensure that autism spectrum disorder research, and services and support activities to the extent practicable, of the Department of Health and Human Services and of other Federal departments and agencies are not unnecessarily duplicative; and (6) submit to Congress and the President: (A) an annual update on the summary of advances; and (B) a biennial update to the strategic plan, including progress made in achieving the goals outlined in such strategic plan and any specific measures taken pursuant to such strategic plan.
Committee Composition
In accordance with the Committee's authorizing statute, “Not more than 1/2 , but not fewer than 1/3 , of the total membership of the Committee shall be composed of non-Federal public members appointed by the Secretary.”
All non-Federal public members are appointed as Special Government Employees for their service on the IACC, of which:
- At least three such members shall be individuals with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder; and
- At least three such members shall be parents or legal guardians of an individual with an autism spectrum disorder; and
- At least three such members shall be representatives of leading research, advocacy, and service organizations for individuals with autism spectrum disorder.
The Department strives to ensure that the membership of HHS Federal advisory committees is balanced in terms of points of view represented and the committee's function. Every effort is made to ensure that a range of perspectives and expertise are represented on HHS Federal advisory committees and, therefore, the Department encourages nominations of qualified candidates, including individuals with disabilities, from across the United States and its territories. Appointment to this Committee shall be made free from all forms of discrimination on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex.
Member Terms
Non-Federal public members of the Committee “shall serve for a term of 4 years and may be reappointed for one additional 4-year term. Any member appointed to fill a vacancy for an unexpired term shall be appointed for the remainder of such term. A member [with a valid appointment] may serve after the expiration of the member's term until a successor has been appointed.”
Meetings and Travel
“The Committee shall meet at the call of the chairperson or upon the request of the Secretary. The Committee shall meet not fewer than 2 times each year.” In the years 2021-2024, the IACC typically held 3-4 meetings per year, including full committee, subcommittee, working and planning group meetings, and workshops. Meetings were held as either hybrid meetings with both in-person and videoconference accessibility, or as videoconference only. Travel expenses are provided for non-federal public Committee members to facilitate in-person attendance at hybrid meetings. Members are expected to be committed to making every effort to attend, either in-person or by video conference, all IACC full committee meetings and workshops and relevant subcommittee, working and planning group meetings. Accessible meeting design is employed, and reasonable accommodations are provided to facilitate full participation of individuals with disabilities.
Submission Instructions and Deadline
Nominations should include a cover letter of no longer than 3 pages describing the candidate's interest in seeking appointment to the IACC, including relevant personal/lived, professional, and/or community service experience with autism; indication of any membership eligibility requirements met; disability accommodation requests; and an indication of commitment to attend IACC meetings if selected; as well as full contact information and a current resume or curriculum vitae. Up to 2 letters of support are permitted in addition to the nomination, with a page limit of 3 pages per letter. Please do not include other materials unless requested.
Nominations are due by Monday, November 10, 2025. Nominations may be sent to Dr. Susan Daniels, Director, Office of National Autism Coordination/NIMH/NIH, 6001 Executive Boulevard, Room 6119, Bethesda, Maryland 20892 by standard or express mail, or via email to IACCPublicInquiries@mail.nih.gov. Please include full contact information (address, phone number, and email). Electronic confirmation of receipt will be provided. More information about the IACC is available at https://iacc.hhs.gov/.
Susan A. Daniels,
Director, Office of National Autism Coordination, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health.
