Box 1. Questions and scoring instructions.

Scoring instructions - Firstly, always keep in mind the context. It is not possible to predict all outcomes of health research investments, and therefore the priorities should be set within a specific context, to influence a specific policy. Here, the context will be defined by space, time, population of interest. The space will be global, the time will be the next 5–10 years, and the area of interest on setting priorities for developmental disabilities including ID and developmental disabilities (including autism). Possible answers: Yes=1; No=0; Informed but undecided answer: 0.5; Not sufficiently informed: blank

CRITERION 1: ANSWERABILITY - Likelihood that the research question would be answerable and generate new knowledge

Would you say the research question is clear and has well defined endpoints? Would you say that a study can be designed to answer the research question and to reach the proposed endpoints of the research? Would you say that the research question would target a critical gap in knowledge, rather than just advance an already existing level of knowledge?

CRITERION 2: FEASIBILITY - Is the research potentially doable in the majority of countries in the world

Taking into account the level of difficulty with undertaking the research (e.g. the complexity of the research, the infrastructure required and human factors involved), would it be possible to undertake this research in most countries?

CRITERION 3: APPLICABILITY AND IMPACT - Likelihood that the knowledge generated through the proposed research would be implemented and have an impact on policy and practice

Taking into account the financial resources available to implement the research, would you say that the implementation of the end-points of the research would be affordable within the context of interest? If basic science, is it likely that it will soon lead to significant improvement in practice? Based on the best available evidence and knowledge, do you believe that interventions and programmes developed or improved through the proposed research would be effective?

CRITERION 4: SUPPORT WITHIN THE CONTEXT - Likelihood that the proposed research would, in the context of current policy and funding priorities, be likely to attract the necessary funding support.

Will the relevant public sectors such as health, social welfare and education or influential NGOs be supportive of the research in general? Do you think the proposed research is likely to be prioritized for funding by agencies that fund research?

CRITERION 5: EQUITY - Likelihood that the proposed research would address underprivileged people, or provide solutions that would benefit people among all social strata equally.

Would you suggest that the proposed research would address primarily people that are among the poorest globally? Would you say that the proposed research would provide solutions that would improve the quality of lives of persons regardless of their social status?