The Canadian Neurodevelopmental Research Training (CanNRT) Platform and the Autism Alliance of Canada are proud to deepen their partnership through the national Data2Policy (D2P) Fellowship, designed to bridge autism research and public policy.
This collaboration supports early-career researchers in translating research into action, aligning with Canada’s National Autism Strategy to promote equity, inclusion, and systemic change.
“This partnership reflects our shared commitment to fostering innovation in autism policy and practice,” says Jonathan Lai, Executive Director of the Autism Alliance of Canada. “It ensures research and community collaborations drive meaningful change in people’s lives.”
Welcoming our new Fellow
We are pleased to announce that Haley Clark, PhD candidate in Education at Queen’s University, has been selected as a CanNRT Data2Policy Fellow for 2025. Her project, Re•Storying Educational Belonging: National Autism Policy Change Through Arts-Based Participatory Research, explores how arts-based methods can reframe the way we think about inclusive education and belonging in autism policy.
A strategic collaboration for systemic change
Through this joint initiative, CanNRT and the Autism Alliance of Canada co-fund fellows annually, providing $ 20,000 CAD in support for each selected project. Fellows gain access to research, training, and engagement opportunities through both organizations, including:
- Mentorship and collaboration with autistic self-advocates and community leaders
- Participation in key events such as the CanNRT Summer School and the Canadian Autism Leadership Summit (CALS)
- Opportunities to present findings to policymakers, researchers, and the public.
“By aligning with the National Autism Strategy’s goals, we’re supporting early-career researchers to drive improvements in awareness, inclusion, and access to services,” adds Dr. Mayada Elsabbagh, Director of CanNRT.
This partnership signals a shared commitment to building the next generation of autism policy leaders—rooted in evidence, equity, and lived and living experience.
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About the Data2Policy Fellowships
The Data2Policy (D2P) Fellowships are funded through the National Centre for Autism Collaboration (NCAC) with matched funding from Azrieli Adult Neurodevelopmental Centre, Carleton University, The Canadian Neurodevelopmental Research Training Platform (CanNRT), Holland Bloorview Kids Rehabilitation Hospital, McMaster University, St. Amant Research Centre, Stollery Foundation and the Women and Children’s Health Research Institute.
The Data-to-Policy (D2P) Fellowships empower early-career researchers and policy professionals to bridge the gap between research and actionable policy. This unique program provides fellows with hands-on opportunities to conduct research in alignment with Canada’s Autism Strategy, supporting the development of benchmarks, metrics, and systems for equitable service delivery across Canada.
Through mentorship, collaborative work with Autistic people and those with lived and living experience, and access to cutting-edge research, fellows will gain the skills and experience to ultimately use research to inform autism policy.