Deadline: 28-Apr-2026
The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) offers funding for large-scale patient-centered comparative effectiveness research (CER) studies. Grants support multi-phase trials comparing widely used or evidence-supported interventions, with funding up to $22 million over feasibility and full-scale phases. Eligible organizations include academic, nonprofit, and federal entities, with foreign applicants allowed if relevant to U.S. healthcare.
The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) invites applications for large-scale patient-centered CER studies. The program aims to produce high-quality, actionable evidence to guide healthcare decision-making and improve care delivery in the United States.
Objectives of the Grant
The grant is designed to:
- Support individual-level or cluster randomized controlled trials of significant scale.
- Compare interventions already in use or widely applied, whether or not efficacy is fully established.
- Address decisional dilemmas in clinical care and healthcare delivery.
- Fund a two-phase approach:
- Feasibility Phase: Refine study design, build infrastructure, engage patients and stakeholders, and test operations.
- Full-Scale Phase: Conduct the main trial contingent on achieving feasibility milestones.
- Generate evidence that can be adopted into clinical practice.
Funding Details
- Feasibility Phase: Up to $2 million in direct costs for up to 18 months
- Full-Scale Phase: Up to $20 million in direct costs for up to 5 years
- Combined Direct Costs Limit: $22 million
- Eligible Costs: Study design, patient engagement, infrastructure, trial operations, analysis, and dissemination
- Ineligible Applicants: Individuals
Who Can Apply
Eligible organizations include:
- Academic research institutions
- Private sector research organizations
- Nonprofit and for-profit research entities
- U.S. federal agencies
- Foreign organizations demonstrating relevance and benefit to U.S. healthcare and patient-centered outcomes
Key Focus Areas
- Large-scale trials to compare widely used interventions or interventions with strong efficacy evidence
- Patient-centered outcomes addressing practical decisional dilemmas
- Two-phase study design: feasibility followed by full-scale trial
- Engagement of patients and stakeholders in study planning, implementation, and dissemination
How to Apply
- Confirm Eligibility: Ensure the organization meets U.S. or qualifying foreign requirements.
- Define Study Design: Detail interventions, patient-centered outcomes, feasibility objectives, and full-scale trial plans.
- Develop Budget and Timeline: Include direct costs for feasibility (up to $2M) and full-scale phases (up to $20M).
- Engage Stakeholders: Outline patient and stakeholder involvement in study operations.
- Submit Application: Apply through the official PCORI funding portal before the deadline.
- Evaluation: Applications are reviewed for potential impact, scientific rigor, feasibility, and likelihood of adoption into practice.
Tips for Applicants
- Ensure interventions are relevant and widely used or supported by robust evidence.
- Include clear feasibility milestones to justify transition to the full-scale phase.
- Demonstrate patient and stakeholder engagement throughout the study.
- Provide a comprehensive budget detailing feasibility and full-scale costs.
- Emphasize the study’s potential to generate actionable, patient-centered evidence.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Applying as an individual rather than an eligible organization.
- Proposing interventions without clinical relevance or evidence base.
- Neglecting feasibility milestones or infrastructure planning.
- Failing to incorporate patient or stakeholder engagement.
- Exceeding combined funding limits of $22 million.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Who can apply?
Academic, nonprofit, for-profit, private sector, and U.S. federal agencies; foreign organizations are eligible if relevant to U.S. healthcare. - What is the maximum funding available?
Up to $22 million combined for feasibility and full-scale phases. - What study design is supported?
Individual-level or cluster randomized controlled trials comparing widely used or evidence-supported interventions. - Are individuals eligible to apply?
No, only recognized organizations are eligible. - What is the two-phase funding approach?
Feasibility phase to refine study design and operations, followed by full-scale trial contingent on feasibility milestones. - What outcomes are prioritized?
Patient-centered outcomes addressing practical decisional dilemmas in clinical or healthcare delivery. - How is the application evaluated?
Based on potential to fill evidence gaps, scientific merit, feasibility, and likelihood of adoption into practice.
Why This Grant Matters
- Generates high-impact, patient-centered evidence for healthcare decision-making.
- Supports large-scale, rigorous comparative effectiveness trials.
- Encourages stakeholder and patient engagement in research.
- Promotes translation of evidence into clinical practice to improve care delivery.
Conclusion
The PCORI Large-Scale CER Grant provides a rare opportunity to conduct multi-phase, high-budget trials that address critical decisional dilemmas in healthcare. By supporting robust study design, patient engagement, and actionable outcomes, this program advances evidence-based, patient-centered care across the U.S. healthcare system.
For more information, visit PCORI.