Donate now
Get a Call Back
MENU
Developing a world class research center in India.
At Khoj, we are redefining autism research by placing locally relevant studies on a global platform.
Through culturally informed insights and international collaborations, we aim to position India as a leader in pioneering advancements that benefit individuals with autism and related conditions worldwide.
The Impact of Our Research
Building a Community
of Visionaries
Fostering collaboration among like-minded professionals.
Shaping Assessments and
Interventions
Providing evidence to guide intervention strategies to address the needs.
Pioneering Autism Research
Bringing India’s research talent to global attention.
Our Landmark Research Projects and Publications
Active Ingredients for Global Youth Mental Health
A Wellcome Trust Project conducted in collaboration with multiple countries to map youth mental health intervention strategies.
Autism Community Priorities in India
A nationwide study identifying the key priorities of the autism community in India, presented at INSAR as a significant contribution to global research.
Autism Spectrum Disorder and Parkinson’s Disease Link
A study examining autism-related traits in Parkinson’s patients, with findings presented at INSAR.
Developing a Phenotypic Test Battery
Developing culturally adapted behavioral tasks to increase participation in research for individuals with high support needs.
Partners in Discovery
Bengal Research Association for Integrative Neuroscience (BRAIN) is a collaborative initiative between CHINTA (TCG Crest), the Institute of Neurosciences Kolkata (I-NK), and the India Autism Center (IAC) that focuses on advancing neuroscience and behavioral research in neurodevelopmental conditions.
Support the Future of Autism Research
Your support empowers us to create change and advance research, leading to real-world solutions for those who need it most.
Frequently Asked Questions
Khoj was born out of a need to fill the cultural and contextual gaps in autism research in India. While much of the world’s autism data comes from Western Europe and USA, India’s unique diversity demands locally grounded studies that reflect our social, linguistic, and familial realities.
The day-to-day experience of autistic individuals in India, as we see in our daycare centre and the wider community, drives all of our research. We work closely with autistic individuals, caregivers, and professionals throughout the cycle of research to ensure findings translate into better interventions, assessments, and support systems on the ground. Findings are shared back with families and professionals through reports, training, and consultation, creating an ongoing feedback loop that keeps the work grounded, practical, and responsive to what people need.
The core research team at Khoj is made up of psychologists, neuroscientists, and special educators who work closely with autistic individuals and families in India. They are supported by an advisory group of senior neuroscientists and researchers with decades of experience working with autism, who help shape both our long-term research vision and ensure that our work remains responsive to the needs of autistic people and families in India.
While autism is the central focus, Khoj also studies overlapping or related conditions to better understand the full spectrum of neurodiversity.
Ethics is central to Khoj’s mission. All research is conducted under strict ethical guidelines that prioritise informed consent, participant dignity, data privacy, and cultural sensitivity, ensuring research is both respectful and responsible. All collaborative research projects have been evaluated by independent ethics regulatory bodies at different academic and medical institutions in India (Ashoka University, Institution of Neuroscience Kolkata). We are currently in the process of establishing an Institutional Ethics Committee for IAC Research to ensure all research conducted within the IAC upholds the highest degree of ethical compliance.
Khoj offers training and internship opportunities to young researchers passionate about research in autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions. Trainees work with ongoing studies, data collection, and analysis, gaining exposure to interdisciplinary methods in real-world clinical and educational settings. If you are interested in exploring opportunities, please reach out to us at: research@indiaautismcenter.org. We are unable to consider internship opportunities for less than 6 months due to the standard timescale of research.
We have collaborated with several international entities through our various projects. Specifically, we have partnered with the Telethon Kids Institute in Australia and four other institutes globally on a Wellcome Trust Funded project. We have also collaborated with ICHOM (International Consortium for Health Outcomes Measurement) to advise on a standardised set of patient-centred outcome measures for autism. Furthermore, we maintain active academic collaborations with universities in the UK and Europe.
Yes. All published research articles are available to download for free from the IAC website. We also share summaries and key findings of completed projects and publications through the India Autism Center website and social media channels. Our research is presented at international conferences and published in reputed peer-reviewed journals. We aim to ensure that our research findings are accessible both to the scientific community and to autistic individuals, families, and practitioners.
There are several ways to get involved with Khoj. Autistic individuals and families can take part in research studies when recruitment is open. Students and early-career researchers can apply for internships or research roles, while clinicians, educators, and academics may collaborate on joint projects or data sharing. Individuals and organisations can also support Khoj’s work through grants, donations. Even spreading awareness about Khoj’s work helps expand its reach and impact.