Addressing Substance Use PCORI Funding Announcement — Cycle 3 2026 (US)

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) is accepting applications for patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research (CER) focused on substance use, substance misuse, and substance use disorders. The funding opportunity provides up to $12 million per project, with $60 million in total available funding, to support research that improves prevention, screening, treatment, recovery, and health outcomes for individuals and communities affected by substance use disorders.

PCORI Patient-Centered Comparative Clinical Effectiveness Research on Substance Use

Funding Summary

Funding Organization: Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI)
Funding Opportunity: Patient-Centered Comparative Clinical Effectiveness Research on Substance Use
Total Available Funding: Up to $60 million
Maximum Funding per Project: Up to $12 million (direct costs)
Maximum Project Duration: Up to 5 years
Funding Type: Research Grant

About the Program

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) supports research that helps patients, caregivers, healthcare providers, and policymakers make better-informed healthcare decisions through high-quality comparative clinical effectiveness research.

This funding opportunity focuses on substance use, substance misuse, and substance use disorders (SUDs). The program aims to generate evidence that compares healthcare interventions and identifies the most effective approaches for preventing substance use, improving treatment, supporting recovery, and enhancing long-term patient outcomes.

Projects should emphasize patient-centered research that addresses real-world healthcare challenges and produces evidence that can improve clinical practice, healthcare systems, and community health.

Program Objectives

The program aims to:

Improve prevention of substance use and substance use disorders.
Strengthen screening and early identification approaches.
Compare treatment strategies for substance use disorders.
Improve recovery outcomes.
Generate evidence that supports patient-centered healthcare decisions.
Reduce disparities in access to effective interventions.
Improve health outcomes for populations disproportionately affected by substance use disorders.

Priority Research Areas

PCORI encourages research across several important areas, including:

Prevention of substance use.
Screening for substance use disorders.
Treatment of substance use disorders.
Recovery support services.
Individual-level interventions.
Community-level interventions.
Health system approaches.
Comparative clinical effectiveness research.
Patient-centered care.
Behavioral health interventions.

Special Areas of Emphasis

Applications addressing one or more of the following areas are particularly encouraged:

Evidence-based prevention strategies for substance use disorders.
Evidence-based treatment interventions.
Overdose prevention strategies.
Nicotine and tobacco reduction interventions.
Smoking cessation approaches.
Treatment strategies addressing both substance misuse and poor sleep.
Trauma-informed care.
Community-centered recovery models.
Multilevel overdose prevention interventions.
Pharmacotherapy for nicotine and tobacco dependence.

Types of Research Supported

Applicants may propose studies evaluating:

Behavioral interventions.
Trauma-informed care models.
Comparative treatment approaches.
Community recovery programs.
Healthcare delivery models.
Pharmacological interventions.
Prevention programs.
Screening approaches.
Integrated care models.
Sleep-related interventions linked to substance use disorders.

Projects should include at least one primary outcome related to substance use.

Funding Information

Successful projects may receive:

Up to $12 million in direct costs.
Funding for projects lasting up to five years.

Allowable direct costs may include:

Patient care costs.
Medical products.
Clinical procedures.
Healthcare services.
Other eligible research expenses included in the approved project budget.

Who Can Apply?

Eligible applicants include organizations capable of conducting rigorous patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research.

Applicants must:

Meet PCORI eligibility requirements.
Demonstrate the scientific and operational capacity to conduct comparative effectiveness research.
Propose projects focused on substance use, substance misuse, or substance use disorders.
Conduct scientifically rigorous, patient-centered research.

Eligible Research Focus

Projects should address one or more of the following:

Substance use prevention.
Substance misuse.
Substance use disorders.
Recovery interventions.
Healthcare delivery improvements.
Comparative treatment effectiveness.
Patient-centered outcomes.
Health equity.
Community health.
Clinical decision-making.

Why This Funding Matters

Substance use disorders continue to affect millions of individuals and families while creating significant challenges for healthcare systems. Despite the availability of numerous prevention and treatment approaches, evidence is still needed to determine which interventions work best for different patient populations and care settings.

By funding patient-centered comparative effectiveness research, PCORI helps generate practical evidence that improves healthcare quality, supports informed decision-making, reduces disparities, and advances more effective prevention, treatment, and recovery strategies.

How to Apply

Applicants should follow these steps:

Review the complete funding announcement and eligibility requirements.
Develop a patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research proposal.
Ensure the proposed study focuses on substance use, substance misuse, or substance use disorders.
Include at least one primary substance use outcome.
Prepare a scientifically rigorous study design.
Develop a detailed project budget and timeline.
Submit the application through the PCORI application process before the deadline.

Tips for Applicants

Focus on patient-centered outcomes.
Compare evidence-based interventions.
Include meaningful stakeholder engagement.
Address healthcare disparities where appropriate.
Use rigorous comparative effectiveness research methods.
Clearly explain the expected impact on healthcare practice.
Align the proposal with PCORI’s research priorities.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Proposing research without a comparative effectiveness design.
Failing to include a primary substance use outcome.
Weak patient-centered engagement.
Poor methodological design.
Insufficient justification for the proposed intervention.
Limited stakeholder involvement.
Budget requests that are not adequately justified.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the purpose of this funding opportunity?

The program supports patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research that improves prevention, treatment, and recovery for substance use disorders.

How much funding is available?

PCORI has made up to $60 million available, with individual projects eligible to receive up to $12 million in direct costs.

How long can funded projects last?

Projects may be funded for up to five years.

What types of research are supported?

The program supports comparative effectiveness studies on prevention, screening, treatment, recovery, behavioral interventions, overdose prevention, nicotine reduction, trauma-informed care, and related healthcare strategies.

Who is eligible to apply?

Organizations capable of conducting scientifically rigorous patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research that meets PCORI requirements are eligible.

Are patient care costs allowable?

Yes. Direct costs may include patient care expenses such as medical products, clinical procedures, and healthcare services when justified within the project budget.

What populations are encouraged for research?

PCORI particularly encourages research involving populations with a high burden of substance use disorders or those experiencing reduced access to effective prevention and treatment interventions.

Conclusion

The PCORI Patient-Centered Comparative Clinical Effectiveness Research Funding Opportunity represents a significant investment in improving prevention, treatment, and recovery for substance use disorders. With up to $60 million available and funding of up to $12 million per project, the program supports high-quality research that generates practical evidence to improve healthcare decisions, reduce disparities, and enhance patient outcomes across diverse populations.