The UAB Civitan International Research Center is the culmination of over 50 years of Civitans helping people challenged by developmental disabilities.  The Civitan International Foundation awarded a grant of up to one million dollars a year for 20 years to The University of Alabama at Birmingham for the creation of the UAB Civitan International Research Center, the first institution of its kind in the United States to be solely dedicated to research of developmental disabilities.  This generous act by Civitans all over the world put in place tremendous human, financial, and technical resources to focus on developmental disabilities.

Through interdisciplinary research, clinical services, and community programs, the UAB Civitan International Research Center improves the lives of people at risk for, or affected by developmental disabilities. The Center conducts research on the development of the central nervous system, with special emphasis on human development and developmental disabilities.  The Sparks Clinic retains the same focus, but serves the developmentally disabled through various therapies and special needs programs.  Because the Civitan International Research Center is a Center of Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Research, Education and Service, it also provides training for professionals to become leaders in the field of developmental disabilities. The faculty and staff view each person within the context of the family, community and society, and offer specially tailored prevention and treatment programs.

• The UAB Civitan International Research Center website may be found here.

Civitans are everyday citizens who come together in communities around the world to socialize, learn and serve their neighbors. Civitan has grown to over 40,000 members in 25 countries, including youth and college programs. On an international level, Civitan is devoted to improving the lives of children and adults with developmental disabilities. Civitan's flagship program is the UAB Civitan International Research Center, the first institution of its kind in the United States to be solely dedicated to research of developmental disabilities.