FORM: Foundations of a Resilient Microbiome

FORM focuses on the role of the maternal and developing infant gut microbiome in healthy infant neurodevelopment and it's factoring in the exponential rise in autism spectrum disorder (ASD).

Thrust 1: Identify the proportion of children experiencing ASD attributable to gut microbiome dysfunction

Thrust 2: Develop objective and scalable methods to:
1) screen the functional contribution of the maternal and infant gut microbiome to infant neurodevelopment to predict cognitive, language, social and executive function challenges,
2) diagnose a gut microbiome-based functional disorder or disorders predictive of severe autism-related difficulties.

Thrust 3: Pair diagnostic tests with strategies to protect, preserve and restore gut microbiome functions and resilience

Funding: Not fixed limit 

Duration: 3 years

Research Authority due date: 6.11.25

Abstract (required) due date: 14.11.25

Full proposal due date: 29.12.25