Up to US$750,000 for Patient-Centered Research Methods (United States)

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) is offering funding to support innovative methods research that strengthens patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research (CER). The program supports projects focused on improving measurement approaches, real-world data use, artificial intelligence applications, study design, and research methods that generate stronger healthcare evidence.

Funding Summary

Funding Organization: Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI)
Program Area: Patient-Centered Comparative Clinical Effectiveness Research (CER)
Funding Purpose: Advancing research methods and improving evidence quality
Total Available Funding: Approximately US$12 million
Maximum Award Amount: Up to US$750,000 in direct costs
Maximum Project Duration: Up to 3 years
Eligible Applicants: Research institutions, nonprofit and for-profit organizations, universities, and eligible research entities

About the Program

The PCORI Funding Opportunity for Advancing Methods in Patient-Centered Comparative Clinical Effectiveness Research supports research projects that address major methodological challenges affecting the quality, reliability, and usefulness of patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research.

The program aims to improve how researchers design studies, collect and analyze data, measure patient outcomes, and generate evidence that supports better healthcare decisions for patients, caregivers, clinicians, and policymakers.

Through this initiative, PCORI seeks to strengthen the scientific foundation of patient-centered research by developing innovative methods that improve the accuracy, relevance, and accessibility of healthcare evidence.

Why This Program Matters

Patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research helps determine which healthcare options work best for different individuals and communities. However, challenges related to data quality, measurement consistency, study design, and emerging technologies can limit the impact of research findings.

This funding opportunity addresses these challenges by supporting methodological innovations that can:

Improve patient-centered healthcare research.
Strengthen evidence-based decision-making.
Enhance the quality of comparative effectiveness studies.
Improve the use of emerging technologies in research.
Support meaningful involvement of patients and caregivers.

Program Priority Areas

Applicants must focus on one of the following four required research priorities:

Methods to Support the Use of Patient-Centered Measurement in Patient-Centered CER

Projects under this area should develop or improve methods for measuring outcomes that matter most to patients.

Research may focus on:

Improving patient-reported outcome measurement.
Developing standardized measurement approaches.
Improving assessment of patient experiences and needs.
Enhancing the relevance of healthcare outcomes.

Methods to Support the Use of Real-World Data in Multi-Site Patient-Centered CER

This priority area supports methods that improve the use of real-world data from multiple healthcare settings.

Projects may address:

Data quality improvement.
Data integration across healthcare systems.
Standardization of real-world data sources.
Improved analytical approaches for multi-site studies.

Methods to Improve the Use of Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning in Patient-Centered CER

Projects should explore responsible and effective applications of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) in patient-centered research.

Supported research areas may include:

AI-based research methods.
Machine learning approaches for healthcare evidence generation.
Improving transparency and reliability of AI tools.
Addressing challenges in AI-supported comparative research.

Methods to Improve Study Design in Patient-Centered CER

This priority area focuses on strengthening research design methodologies.

Projects may support:

Innovative study designs.
Improved clinical effectiveness research approaches.
Better methods for reducing research bias.
More efficient and reliable comparative studies.

Other Supported Research Themes

The program also encourages innovative methods related to:

Development and validation of synthetic data.
Digital health technology-based outcome measurement.
Standardized approaches for measuring patient burden.
Economic outcome measurement.
Integration and harmonization of measurement tools.
Advanced analytical methods for healthcare decision-making.

Who Can Apply?

Eligible applicants include organizations capable of conducting patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research, including:

Academic research institutions.
Colleges and universities.
Nonprofit research organizations.
For-profit research organizations.
Private sector research entities.
Other qualified research institutions.

Applicant Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must:

Demonstrate the ability to conduct rigorous research.
Address one of the required methodological priorities.
Include meaningful patient and stakeholder engagement.
Follow PCORI research standards and partnership expectations.

Individuals are not eligible to apply.

International Applicant Eligibility

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

Demonstrate how their research will benefit healthcare in the United States.
Include meaningful engagement with U.S. patients and stakeholders.
Meet PCORI requirements for research partnerships and transparency.

Expected Research Outcomes

Supported projects are expected to contribute to:

Stronger patient-centered research methods.
Improved healthcare evidence generation.
Better use of real-world healthcare data.
More reliable clinical effectiveness studies.
Improved healthcare decision-making.
Enhanced research collaboration between patients, researchers, and healthcare systems.

How to Apply

Applicants should follow these steps:

Review PCORI’s funding announcement and research requirements.
Select one of the four required methodological priority areas.
Develop a research proposal addressing a critical methods gap.
Create a detailed research plan and budget.
Include patient and stakeholder engagement strategies.
Submit the application according to PCORI submission requirements.

Tips for Applicants

Clearly explain the methodological gap your project will address.
Demonstrate how the proposed methods improve patient-centered CER.
Include strong stakeholder engagement throughout the research process.
Use appropriate theoretical and analytical frameworks.
Explain how research outcomes can be applied in real healthcare settings.
Provide a realistic timeline and budget.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Proposing clinical research without a methods focus.
Failing to address one of the required priority areas.
Limited patient or stakeholder involvement.
Weak explanation of how methods will improve healthcare evidence.
Lack of implementation or dissemination planning.
Insufficient justification of the proposed budget.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What is the purpose of this PCORI funding opportunity?

The program supports research methods that improve the quality, reliability, and usefulness of patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research.

How much funding is available?

PCORI will provide approximately US$12 million through this funding opportunity.

What is the maximum award amount?

Applicants may request up to US$750,000 in direct costs for projects lasting up to three years.

Who can apply for this funding?

Eligible applicants include research institutions, universities, nonprofit organizations, for-profit research organizations, and other qualified research entities. Individuals cannot apply.

What research areas are prioritized?

The four required priorities are patient-centered measurement, real-world data methods, artificial intelligence and machine learning methods, and improved study design methods.

Can international organizations apply?

Yes. Foreign organizations may apply if they demonstrate relevance to U.S. healthcare and include meaningful engagement with U.S. patients and stakeholders.

Is patient involvement required?

Yes. PCORI expects meaningful engagement of patients and research partners throughout the research process.

Conclusion

The PCORI funding opportunity for advancing methods in patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research provides critical support for improving how healthcare evidence is generated and applied. By investing in innovative research methods, real-world data approaches, AI applications, measurement strategies, and stronger study designs, the program aims to create more reliable evidence that improves healthcare decisions and outcomes for patients and communities.