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ALIVE: Development and feasibility of a psychosocial intervention for sexual and gender minority autistic adults

Award Number: K23MH137389
ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH
OPDIV: NIH
AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY
AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: TRAINING/TRAINEESHIP
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 08/01/2024
PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 07/31/2025

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ALIVE: Development and feasibility of a psychosocial intervention for sexual and gender minority autistic adults - PROJECT SUMMARY This is a K23 award application for Dr. Laura Graham Holmes, a clinical psychologist with expertise in autism, to independently conduct research to develop psychosocial interventions that will improve mental health and quality of life for autistic adults. The K23 will provide her with the support necessary to acquire critical skills in three key career development areas: 1) community-engaged intervention development; 2) clinical trial design and evaluation of implementation; 3) developing ethical data and safety monitoring protocols for populations at heightened risk for suicide. To achieve her goals, Dr. Graham Holmes has assembled an interdisciplinary mentoring team comprised of Dr. Susan White (Co-Primary Mentor), a recognized leader in psychosocial intervention development in autism, Dr. Sarit Golub (Co-Primary Mentor), a leading expert in clinical trials and implementation research with sexual and gender minority populations, and Dr. Carla Mazefsky (Co-Mentor), a pioneer in research on emotion dysregulation and suicide in autism. Complementing these experts, Dr. Graham Holmes also has a 5 member advisory committee to support her proposed development of a psychosocial intervention for sexual and gender minority autistic adults. A substantial proportion of autistic people identify as sexual or gender minorities (e.g., lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender or gender non-conforming). Current evidence demonstrates that autistic sexual and gender minority people are at increased risk for co-occurring mental health conditions including depression, anxiety, and suicide attempts compared to autistic cisgender heterosexual adults and report more unmet mental health care needs. Dr. Graham Holmes’ objective is to address the lack of available evidence-based psychosocial interventions for this population. Her research will result in preliminary data to support a clinical trial to test a novel community- based minority stress intervention for sexual and gender minority autistic people. The intervention will adapt evidence-based principles for addressing minority stress among sexual and gender minorities using a co- designed, co-facilitated, online group psychoeducation intervention approach. She proposes the following Specific Aims: Aim 1: Gather formative qualitative data from autistic sexual and gender minority people and professionals with relevant experience to inform the development of the Autistic LGBTQIA+ AffIrming InterVEntion (ALIVE); Aim 2: Pilot test and refine the intervention content, delivery, and efficacy and implementation measures via a randomized controlled trial in preparation for a Hybrid Type 1 (efficacy + implementation) clinical trial. The proposed research is significant because it will result in an accessible, scalable intervention for a vulnerable, underserved population. The proposed research is innovative because it uses an evidence-based approach designed to address minority stress that will be adapted via a community-engaged process for a population with multiple intersecting minority identities.


Issue Date FY	Funding FY	Legal Entity Name	Legal Entity Address	Legal Entity City	Legal Entity State	Legal Entity Zip Code	Legal Entity COUNTY	Legal Entity COUNTRY	Assistance Listing	Award Code	Budget Year	Action Date	Action Type	Action Amount

Issue Date FY: 2026 ( Subtotal = $0 )
2026	2025	RESEARCH FOUNDATION OF THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK	695 PARK AVE	NEW YORK	NY	10065	NEW YORK	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	000	2	12/10/2025	OTHER REVISION	$0
2026	2024	RESEARCH FOUNDATION OF THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK	695 PARK AVE	NEW YORK	NY	10065	NEW YORK	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	001	1	1/23/2026	OTHER REVISION	$0
														Subtotal = $0

Issue Date FY: 2025 ( Subtotal = $633,309 )
2025	2025	RESEARCH FOUNDATION OF THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK	695 PARK AVE	NEW YORK	NY	10065	NEW YORK	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	004	2	8/28/2025	EXTENSION WITH OR WITHOUT FUNDS	$633,309
2025	2024	RESEARCH FOUNDATION OF THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK	695 PARK AVE	NEW YORK	NY	10065	NEW YORK	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	002	1	7/31/2025	OTHER REVISION	$0
2025	2024	RESEARCH FOUNDATION OF THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK	695 PARK AVE	NEW YORK	NY	10065	NEW YORK	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	000	1	3/19/2025	TERMINATION	$0
2025	2024	RESEARCH FOUNDATION OF THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK	695 PARK AVE	NEW YORK	NY	10065	NEW YORK	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	003	1	8/27/2025	OTHER REVISION	$0
2025	2024	RESEARCH FOUNDATION OF THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK	695 PARK AVE	NEW YORK	NY	10065	NEW YORK	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	001	1	7/10/2025	OTHER REVISION	$0
														Subtotal = $633,309

Issue Date FY: 2024 ( Subtotal = $211,103 )
2024	2024	RESEARCH FOUNDATION OF THE CITY UNIVERSITY OF NEW YORK	695 PARK AVE	NEW YORK	NY	10065	NEW YORK	USA	Mental Health Research Grants	000	1	7/22/2024	NEW	$211,103
														Subtotal = $211,103

Grand Total All Awards = $844,412

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ALIVE: Development and feasibility of a psychosocial intervention for sexual and gender minority autistic adults

Award Number: K23MH137389

ORGANIZATION: NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF MENTAL HEALTH

OPDIV: NIH

AWARD CLASS: DISCRETIONARY

AWARD ACTIVITY TYPE: TRAINING/TRAINEESHIP

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE START DATE: 08/01/2024

PERIOD OF PERFORMANCE END DATE: 07/31/2025

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