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RFAs: Improving Health Decisions Through Comparative Clinical Effectiveness Research (US)

Deadline: 06-Jan-2026

PCORI’s 2026 funding opportunity supports retrospective, patient-centered comparative effectiveness research (CER) using existing data to inform healthcare decision-making. Studies should address priority health topics, leverage validated datasets, and produce actionable results that improve patient outcomes. Applications are due by May 5, 2026, with awards up to $2 million and project durations of up to two years.

Overview

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) invites applications for its 2026 funding cycle to support retrospective observational studies focused on patient-centered comparative effectiveness research (CER). The goal is to generate robust, actionable evidence that informs healthcare decision-making and improves health outcomes.

This funding opportunity emphasizes leveraging existing datasets and infrastructures, such as PCORnet®, to conduct methodologically rigorous studies comparing interventions in real-world clinical and delivery system contexts.

Focus Areas and Priorities

Eligible studies must address at least one of the following PCORI Topic Themes:

  • Cancer

  • Improving Outcomes for People with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities

  • Preventing Maternal Morbidity and Mortality

  • Improving Mental and Behavioral Health

  • Improving Metabolic and Endocrine Health

  • Managing Pain

  • Addressing Rare Diseases

  • Addressing Sensory Health

  • Addressing Substance Use

Studies should examine interventions with known efficacy or widespread use, focusing on current decisional dilemmas in healthcare. Both clinical interventions (e.g., medications, procedures) and delivery system interventions (e.g., workforce or service designs) are eligible.

Study Requirements

Applications must include:

  • Comparison of at least two interventions or approaches

  • Clinically meaningful, validated outcomes important to patients

  • Consideration of long-term effectiveness and safety (beyond five years post-intervention)

  • Evidence addressing heterogeneity of treatment effects

  • Use of multiple health systems or sites to enhance generalizability

  • Engagement with patients and stakeholders to ensure research relevance

  • Prespecified data elements defining populations, interventions, and outcomes

  • Statistical analysis plans addressing confounding and bias

Note: The funding will not support new data networks, registries, or novel data linkages. Evidence of data access must be confirmed at the time of application.

Who Is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include:

  • Academic institutions

  • Nonprofit research organizations

  • Healthcare systems and delivery networks with access to appropriate datasets

  • Other organizations capable of conducting patient-centered CER

Projects must propose meaningful outcomes and demonstrate capacity to complete research within the two-year period.

Funding Details

  • Maximum Budget: $2 million in direct costs

  • Project Duration: Up to two years (18-month research + 6-month peer-review)

  • Data Sharing: De-identified datasets deposited in the Patient-Centered Outcomes Data Repository (PCODR)

  • Allocations: Specific funds for initial spending and data access fees

Application Process

  1. Letter of Intent (LOI): Submit by January 6, 2026

  2. LOI Notification: February 3, 2026

  3. Full Application Submission: Due May 5, 2026

  4. Award Decisions: Anticipated December 2026

  5. Earliest Project Start: April 2027

How to Prepare a Strong Application

  • Clearly articulate the comparative effectiveness question

  • Confirm access to required datasets

  • Include patient-centered outcomes and stakeholder engagement strategies

  • Detail study populations, interventions, and measures

  • Provide a robust statistical analysis plan addressing bias and confounding

Why It Matters

This initiative supports high-impact research that:

  • Improves patient-centered healthcare decisions

  • Generates evidence for interventions in real-world settings

  • Addresses gaps in long-term outcomes and treatment effectiveness

  • Supports patients, clinicians, and policymakers with actionable evidence

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Proposing new data collection or novel networks instead of leveraging existing data

  • Neglecting stakeholder or patient engagement

  • Failing to include clear comparative interventions or validated outcomes

  • Missing LOI or full application deadlines

  • Providing insufficient evidence of data access

FAQ

1. What is the focus of this funding opportunity?
Retrospective, patient-centered comparative effectiveness research using existing data.

2. Which health areas are prioritized?
Cancer, mental health, metabolic health, maternal morbidity, rare diseases, pain management, intellectual/developmental disabilities, sensory health, substance use.

3. What is the maximum budget?
$2 million in direct costs.

4. How long is the project period?
Up to two years (18-month research + 6-month peer-review).

5. Are new data collections allowed?
No, only existing datasets may be used.

6. When are applications due?
Letters of Intent: January 6, 2026; Full applications: May 5, 2026.

7. Where will data from awarded projects be stored?
De-identified datasets will be deposited in the PCODR for future reuse.

Conclusion

PCORI’s 2026 funding opportunity empowers researchers to leverage existing data for patient-centered comparative effectiveness studies that inform healthcare decisions and improve outcomes. By addressing high-priority health topics, engaging stakeholders, and using methodologically rigorous approaches, this initiative promotes actionable, evidence-based improvements in real-world healthcare.

For more information, visit PCORI.