Applications Open for Engagement Award: Convening Support (United States)

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) is accepting applications for the Engagement Award: Convening Support, providing up to US$125,000 for projects that organize meetings, conferences, and multi-party convenings to advance patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research (CER). The funding supports meaningful engagement of patients, caregivers, healthcare professionals, researchers, and community stakeholders to strengthen healthcare research and decision-making in the United States.

About the PCORI Engagement Award: Convening Support

The Engagement Award: Convening Support is part of the Eugene Washington PCORI Engagement Award Program, an initiative established by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) to encourage active participation of patients and healthcare stakeholders throughout the research process.

The programme funds projects that organize collaborative meetings, workshops, conferences, and other convenings that bring together diverse groups to discuss, shape, and strengthen patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research (CER).

By supporting dialogue among patients, caregivers, clinicians, researchers, policymakers, and community organizations, the programme helps ensure that healthcare research addresses real-world needs and produces evidence that improves healthcare decisions.

What is Patient-Centered Comparative Clinical Effectiveness Research (CER)?

Comparative Clinical Effectiveness Research (CER) compares different healthcare interventions to determine which approaches work best for specific patients under particular circumstances.

Patient-centered CER goes a step further by actively involving patients, families, caregivers, and healthcare stakeholders in:

• Identifying research priorities.
• Designing research studies.
• Conducting research.
• Interpreting findings.
• Disseminating results.
• Supporting evidence-based healthcare decisions.

The goal is to generate research that is meaningful, relevant, and useful to those directly affected by healthcare decisions.

Programme Objectives

The Engagement Award aims to:

• Promote patient-centered healthcare research.
• Increase stakeholder participation in research.
• Support collaborative learning and dialogue.
• Encourage knowledge sharing across healthcare communities.
• Strengthen partnerships between researchers and patients.
• Improve dissemination and implementation of research findings.
• Advance evidence-based healthcare decision-making.

Why This Award Matters

Many healthcare research projects have traditionally been designed without sufficient input from patients and community members.

This programme helps address that gap by supporting events that:

• Bring together diverse healthcare stakeholders.
• Encourage meaningful discussions.
• Build lasting research partnerships.
• Improve the relevance of healthcare research.
• Promote equitable participation across communities.

The result is stronger research that better reflects patient priorities and healthcare needs.

Funding Information

Successful applicants may receive:

• Up to US$125,000 in total project costs.

Project Duration

Projects may be implemented over a maximum period of:

• One year

Eligible Activities

Funding supports projects that organize:

• Multi-party convenings.
• Conferences.
• Workshops.
• Meetings.
• Stakeholder engagement events.
• Collaborative planning sessions.
• Research partnership forums.
• Community engagement events related to patient-centered CER.

Projects should facilitate active participation by patients, caregivers, researchers, healthcare providers, and other healthcare stakeholders.

Who Is Eligible?

The funding opportunity is open to:

• Nonprofit organizations.
• For-profit organizations.

Applicant Requirements

Eligible applicants must:

• Possess a Federal Employer Identification Number (FEIN) if based in the United States.
• Demonstrate the capacity to organize and manage the proposed project.
• Comply with PCORI funding requirements.
• Follow applicable regulations and standard agreement terms.

Foreign Organizations

Foreign organizations and non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations may apply if they can clearly demonstrate:

• Significant benefit to U.S. healthcare.
• Meaningful engagement of U.S. patients.
• Collaboration with U.S. organizations.
• Active involvement of U.S. healthcare stakeholders.

PCORI gives preference to projects led by U.S.-based organizations.

Who Is Not Eligible?

The following are not eligible:

• Individual applicants.

Previous PCORI Funding

Organizations may apply regardless of whether they have:

• Previously received PCORI funding.
• Previously applied for PCORI funding.

Applicants must disclose any:

• Current PCORI-funded projects.
• Pending PCORI applications.

This helps ensure there is no duplication of funded activities.

How to Apply

Applicants should follow these steps.

Step 1: Confirm Eligibility

Verify that your organization:

• Meets applicant requirements.
• Has the capacity to organize the proposed convening.
• Can comply with PCORI policies.

Step 2: Develop the Project Plan

The proposal should clearly describe:

• Purpose of the convening.
• Research focus.
• Target participants.
• Engagement strategy.
• Expected outcomes.
• Evaluation methods.

Step 3: Prepare the Budget

Include:

• Total funding requested.
• Activity costs.
• Staffing.
• Event expenses.
• Evaluation costs.

Step 4: Submit the Application

Complete the application according to PCORI’s funding guidelines and submit all required supporting documentation.

Tips for a Strong Application

Applicants can strengthen their proposals by:

• Demonstrating meaningful patient engagement.
• Including diverse healthcare stakeholders.
• Explaining how the convening will improve patient-centered research.
• Presenting realistic timelines and budgets.
• Showing strong organizational experience.
• Including measurable outcomes.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid:

• Limited patient participation.
• Unclear project objectives.
• Weak stakeholder engagement strategies.
• Incomplete budget information.
• Duplication of existing PCORI-funded activities.
• Insufficient evaluation plans.

Expected Outcomes

The programme seeks to achieve:

• Stronger patient-centered research partnerships.
• Increased stakeholder collaboration.
• Improved healthcare research quality.
• Greater patient involvement in research.
• Better dissemination of research findings.
• More informed healthcare decision-making.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What is the PCORI Engagement Award: Convening Support?

It is a funding opportunity that supports meetings, conferences, and convenings designed to advance patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research.

2. How much funding is available?

Organizations may request up to US$125,000 in total project costs.

3. Who can apply?

Eligible applicants include nonprofit and for-profit organizations. Individuals are not eligible.

4. How long can projects last?

Projects may be funded for up to one year.

5. Can foreign organizations apply?

Yes. Foreign organizations may apply if they demonstrate clear benefits to U.S. healthcare and actively engage U.S. patients and healthcare stakeholders.

6. Can organizations that previously received PCORI funding apply?

Yes. Previous or current PCORI funding does not prevent organizations from applying, although applicants must disclose ongoing or concurrent PCORI-funded activities.

7. What types of events are supported?

The programme supports conferences, workshops, stakeholder meetings, collaborative forums, planning sessions, and other convenings that strengthen patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research.

Conclusion

The PCORI Engagement Award: Convening Support provides organizations with an opportunity to strengthen patient-centered healthcare research by bringing together patients, caregivers, clinicians, researchers, and community stakeholders. Through funding for collaborative meetings and conferences, the programme supports meaningful engagement, knowledge sharing, and stronger partnerships that improve the quality, relevance, and impact of comparative clinical effectiveness research in the United States.