NOFO: Advancing the Science of Engagement (US)

Deadline: 7-Feb-23

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) seeks to fund studies that build an evidence base on engagement in research, including:

• Measures to capture structure/context, process, and outcomes of engagement in research
• Techniques that lead to effective engagement in research
• How these techniques should be modified and resourced for different contexts, settings, and communities to ensure equity in engagement and research
• How engagement supports successful research, thereby advancing PCORI’s National Priorities for Health

Research Initiative Highlights

• PCORI’s PFA on the Science of Engagement will solicit applications that focus on:
  • Development and validation of measures to capture structure/context, process, and outcomes of engagement, for both stakeholders and investigators
  • Development and testing of engagement techniques to generate evidence on the most effective engagement approaches, particularly for underrepresented populations, and how effectiveness varies by context
• Initial funding will primarily focus on measure development and validation, particularly rapid measure development, leveraging opportunities to support teams that have already begun measure development work. Applicants can also adapt and validate preexisting measures created for different contexts (e.g., community-based participatory research, engagement in healthcare delivery). A smaller number of early awards will test engagement techniques using a combination of limited existing validated measures of engagement and measures of other research outcomes (e.g., participant recruitment and retention; diversity, equity, and inclusion outcomes). PCORI anticipates multiple funding cycles for this initiative, with the focus of subsequent PFAs to be updated as the evidence base grows.

Funding Information

• Amount: $4.5 million
  • Rapid Measurement Studies: Up to $1.5 million
  • Development and Testing of Engagement Approaches: Up to $3 million
• Grant Period:
  • Rapid Measurement Studies: Up to 24 months (2 years)
  • Development and Testing of Engagement Approaches: Up to 3 years

Criteria

• Study identifies critical methodological gap(s) in the science of engagement
• Potential for the study to improve engagement measures or methods
• Scientific merit (research design, analysis, and outcomes)
• Investigator(s) and environment
• Patient-centeredness
• Patient and stakeholder engagement

For more information, visit PCORI.