Large Research Projects for Prevention of Healthcare-Associated Infections in the US

Deadline: 26-May-25

The Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) and Agency for Health Care Research and Quality is inviting proposals for the Large Research Projects for Prevention of Healthcare-Associated Infections to advance the base of knowledge for detection, prevention, and reduction of Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAIs).

AHRQ collaborates with other HHS Agencies to prevent and reduce HAIs and has funded initiatives in all of the settings identified in the HAI NAP: Acute care hospitals; ambulatory settings, such as ambulatory surgical centers, outpatient care clinics and offices, and hemodialysis centers/end-stage renal disease facilities; and long-term care settings.

AHRQ projects have addressed a variety of HAI types, prominently among them: central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI), catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI), surgical site infection (SSI), ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and Clostridioides difficile.

AHRQ intends to continue supporting research and demonstration projects that address more effective ways to prevent HAIs and promote the wide-scale adoption of evidence-based approaches. This FOA announces the availability of funds to support Large Research Projects, using the R01 mechanism, in the following broad areas of HAI research:

Determination of the clinical efficacy and effectiveness of preventive interventions, including unintended adverse consequences.
Characterization and assessment of relevant epidemiological aspects of HAIs, including but not limited to patient risk factors, clinical presentation, and sources of antibiotic-resistant organisms involved in the development of HAIs.

AHRQ is interested in R01 projects directed to any of the healthcare settings – acute care hospitals, ambulatory care settings, and long-term care settings – as scientifically warranted.

AHRQ is interested in all aspects of HAI prevention, including, but not limited to, ambulatory care, ambulatory surgery, long-term care, linkage between the various settings of care to improve tracking and prevention of HAIs, antibiotic stewardship, multidrug-resistant organisms, and prevention of respiratory viral HAIs.

AHRQ is interested in HAI research conducted in under-resourced health care settings.

A companion FOA (PA-21-264) announces the availability of funds to support Large Health Services Research Demonstration and Dissemination Projects, using the R18 mechanism, in the following broad areas of HAI research:

Demonstration, dissemination, and evaluation of strategies and approaches for prevention and reduction of HAIs.
Research regarding adoption and implementation (including sustainment and spread/scale-up) of evidence-based approaches for prevention of HAIs.

Funding Information

Award Budget: The total costs (direct and indirect) for each project awarded under this FOA will not exceed $500,000 in any given year and $2.5 million for the entire project period.
Award Project Period: The project period may not exceed 5 years.

Eligibility Criteria

Higher Education Institutions
- Public/State Controlled Institutions of Higher Education
- Private Institutions of Higher Education
- The following types of Higher Education Institutions are always encouraged to apply for AHRQ support as Public or Private Institutions of Higher Education:
  - Hispanic-serving Institutions
  - Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs)
  - Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs)
  - Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions
  - Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs)
Nonprofits Other Than Institutions of Higher Education
- Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) IRS Status (Other than Institutions of Higher Education)
- Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) IRS Status (Other than Institutions of Higher Education)
Governments
- State Governments
- County Governments
- City or Township Governments
- Special District Governments
- Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (Federally Recognized)
- Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (Other than Federally Recognized)
- Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government
- U.S. Territory or Possession
Other
- Native American Tribal Organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments)
- Faith-based or Community-based Organizations
- Regional Organizations