Apply Now: Implementation of Findings From PCORI’s Research Investments (United States)

The PCORI Open Competition: Implementation of Findings From PCORI’s Research Investments (Cycle 3 2026) provides funding for projects that implement evidence from PCORI-funded patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research into real-world healthcare settings. Eligible organizations can apply for up to $1.8 million in direct costs over four years to improve healthcare quality, patient outcomes, and evidence-based clinical practice.

About the Program

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) created this funding opportunity to accelerate the adoption of proven healthcare interventions developed through PCORI-funded comparative clinical effectiveness research (CER). The program bridges the gap between research and clinical practice by supporting implementation projects that translate peer-reviewed research findings into routine healthcare delivery.

Rather than funding new clinical research, this opportunity focuses on helping healthcare organizations integrate existing evidence into practice through structured implementation strategies, stakeholder engagement, and rigorous evaluation.

The program ultimately seeks to improve healthcare quality, patient experiences, and health outcomes by ensuring that effective interventions are widely adopted in real-world settings.

Funding Summary

Funding Organization: Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI)
Funding Opportunity: Open Competition – Implementation of Findings From PCORI’s Research Investments (Cycle 3 2026)
Maximum Direct Funding: Up to $1.8 million per project
Project Duration: Up to 4 years
Application Process: Letter of Intent followed by invitation-only full application
Letter of Intent Deadline: September 9, 2026

Program Objectives

The program aims to:

Increase the adoption of evidence generated through PCORI-funded research.
Improve healthcare delivery using evidence-based implementation strategies.
Enhance patient health outcomes through proven clinical interventions.
Reduce the gap between research discoveries and routine healthcare practice.
Encourage collaboration among healthcare providers, researchers, patients, and community stakeholders.
Support sustainable implementation of effective healthcare practices.

Priority Implementation Areas

For Cycle 3 (2026), implementation projects must focus on one of the following evidence areas supported by published PCORI-funded studies:

Screening and Treatment of Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) in Children and Adolescents

Projects should promote the implementation of evidence-based approaches for screening, diagnosis, and treatment of OCD among children and adolescents.

Direct Hospital Admissions Programs for Children

Applicants may implement evidence supporting direct hospital admission models that improve pediatric healthcare access and reduce unnecessary emergency department utilization.

Early Palliative Care for Patients with Advanced Cancer

Projects should integrate evidence-based early palliative care into healthcare systems to improve quality of life and patient-centered outcomes for individuals with advanced cancer.

School-Based Caries Arrest and Prevention

Implementation projects may focus on introducing evidence-based school oral health programs designed to prevent and arrest dental caries among children.

Eligible Activities

Funding may support activities such as:

Implementation of evidence-based healthcare interventions.
Development of implementation strategies.
Stakeholder engagement and collaboration.
Healthcare workforce training.
Clinical workflow integration.
Practice transformation initiatives.
Monitoring and evaluation activities.
Data collection and impact assessment.
Dissemination of implementation findings.
Quality improvement initiatives.

Who Can Apply?

Eligible applicants include:

Nonprofit organizations.
For-profit organizations.
Healthcare organizations.
Academic institutions.
Research organizations.
Health systems.
Other organizations capable of meeting PCORI’s award requirements.

Foreign organizations may also apply if they:

Demonstrate clear relevance to the U.S. healthcare system.
Show direct benefits for U.S. patients.
Engage U.S. healthcare stakeholders throughout the project.

Who is Not Eligible?

The following are not eligible:

Individual applicants.
Organizations unable to comply with PCORI’s funding requirements.
Projects that do not implement findings from eligible PCORI-funded studies.

Project Requirements

Applicants must:

Focus on one of the eligible implementation evidence areas.
Use active, multicomponent implementation strategies.
Demonstrate organizational leadership support.
Obtain commitment from frontline healthcare staff.
Engage relevant stakeholder organizations.
Use established implementation science frameworks or conceptual models.
Include a rigorous evaluation plan.
Measure healthcare delivery and patient outcome improvements.

Why This Program Matters

Many proven healthcare interventions fail to become part of routine clinical practice even after strong research evidence is available. This funding opportunity helps close that implementation gap by supporting organizations that can successfully translate research into everyday healthcare delivery.

Successful projects can:

Improve patient care.
Increase adoption of evidence-based practices.
Strengthen healthcare systems.
Enhance clinical decision-making.
Improve patient-centered outcomes.
Generate valuable implementation knowledge for future healthcare improvements.

How to Apply

Applicants should follow these steps:

Review the eligible implementation topics for Cycle 3.
Select one of the approved PCORI-funded evidence areas.
Develop an implementation project using an established implementation science framework.
Build partnerships with healthcare providers and stakeholder organizations.
Secure leadership and frontline staff commitment.
Prepare a comprehensive implementation and evaluation plan.
Submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) through the PCORI Connect portal by September 9, 2026.
If invited, prepare and submit the full application through the PCORI Connect portal.

Tips for Applicants

Clearly demonstrate how the project will implement existing PCORI evidence rather than generate new research.
Select implementation strategies supported by implementation science.
Engage patients and healthcare stakeholders early.
Build strong organizational commitment.
Include measurable healthcare and patient outcome indicators.
Develop a realistic sustainability plan beyond the funding period.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Proposing new clinical research instead of implementation activities.
Failing to align with one of the four eligible evidence areas.
Weak stakeholder engagement plans.
Insufficient organizational commitment.
Lack of a robust implementation framework.
Inadequate evaluation methodology.
Unclear plans for sustaining implementation after project completion.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the purpose of this funding opportunity?

The program supports projects that implement evidence from PCORI-funded comparative clinical effectiveness research into real-world healthcare settings to improve patient care and health outcomes.

How much funding is available?

Each project may request up to $1.8 million in direct costs.

How long can projects last?

Projects may have a maximum implementation period of four years.

Who can apply?

Eligible applicants include nonprofit and for-profit organizations with the capacity to meet PCORI’s award requirements. Foreign organizations may also apply if their projects directly benefit the U.S. healthcare system.

Are individuals eligible to apply?

No. Individual applicants are not eligible under this funding opportunity.

What topics are eligible for Cycle 3 (2026)?

Projects must focus on one of four implementation areas:

Screening and treatment of OCD in children and adolescents
Direct hospital admissions programs for children
Early palliative care for patients with advanced cancer
School-based caries arrest and prevention

What is the first application step?

Applicants must submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) through the PCORI Connect portal before they can be invited to submit a full application.

Conclusion

The PCORI Open Competition: Implementation of Findings From PCORI’s Research Investments (Cycle 3 2026) offers significant funding for organizations committed to translating proven research into everyday healthcare practice. By supporting evidence-based implementation projects, the program helps improve healthcare quality, strengthen clinical practice, and deliver better patient outcomes through the widespread adoption of effective interventions.