Applications are due by 5:00 pm Eastern Standard Time on February 19, 2010.

Decisions will be made by March 5, 2010.

The IMFAR 2010 Program Committee is soliciting applications for special interest groups (SIG) to meet at IMFAR 2010. A SIG comprises a group of researchers and other stakeholders who are interested in a particular area of autism research. The SIG will offer opportunity for increased networking and scientific development in this area. Research areas can be in any field.

Preference will be given to areas that have been under-represented or under-developed to date in autism research. Lack of representation or development could relate to few or no rigorous studies in the area, lack of conceptual models guiding the field, underdeveloped or competing methodologies, or lack of appropriate interdisciplinary connections or stakeholder input to conduct relevant research.

There will be up to six 1-hour SIG meetings at IMFAR 2010. The meetings will take place during the lunch hour, with adequate time for attendees to obtain lunch beforehand. The SIG meeting should not be devoted to a few presentations. Instead, there should be opportunities for attendees to interact in a way that advances consensus about the best strategies to move the field forward.

Applications for SIG meetings should including a 250-word summary of the importance of the research area to autism and, if applicable, why this research area could be considered underdeveloped. The application also should include a list of at least 25 individuals who have indicated that they would attend the SIG meeting at IMFAR.

Applications should be sent to David Mandell at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it .  SIGs will receive space for the meeting, audio-visual support, and consultation in structuring the meeting to maximize benefit.