Improving Methods for Conducting Patient-Centered Comparative Clinical Effectiveness Research Program

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) offers funding through its Improving Methods for Conducting Patient-Centered Comparative Clinical Effectiveness Research program to advance methodological innovation in healthcare research. PCORI is a nonprofit organization authorized by Congress to fund research that helps patients, caregivers, and healthcare stakeholders make informed decisions by comparing the benefits and harms of healthcare interventions. This funding opportunity is part of PCORI’s broader mission to strengthen the quality, relevance, and usability of patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research (CER). The purpose of this funding announcement is to support studies that address critical methodological gaps in patient-centered CER. These gaps may arise from limitations in research design, data integration, measurement, or analytical techniques that affect the reliability and applicability of study findings. PCORI seeks projects that either develop new methods or refine and evaluate existing methodologies to improve the strength and usefulness of evidence generated through CER. The program emphasizes practical application, encouraging research that bridges methodological innovation with real-world implementation in healthcare systems. Funding is available for projects with direct costs up to 750000 dollars and a maximum duration of three years. PCORI intends to commit approximately 12000000 dollars in total funding for this cycle, although the exact number of awards may vary depending on the scope and quality of proposals. Allowable activities include methodological research across several priority areas, including patient-centered measurement, real-world data integration, artificial intelligence and machine learning applications, and improvements in study design. Projects must focus on generalizable methods rather than disease-specific interventions or infrastructure development. Eligible applicants include academic institutions, nonprofit organizations, for-profit research entities, and government agencies capable of conducting research and managing awarded funds. Individuals are not permitted to apply. Foreign organizations may apply only if they demonstrate clear relevance to United States healthcare and include engagement with U.S. patients and stakeholders. All applicants must comply with PCORI’s methodological standards, data sharing requirements, and policies related to transparency, ethics, and stakeholder engagement. The application process consists of two stages. Applicants must first submit a Letter of Intent by April 28, 2026. Selected applicants are then invited to submit a full application, which is due by September 1, 2026. Applications undergo a multi-stage review process that includes responsiveness screening, merit review by multidisciplinary panels, and final programmatic evaluation. Review criteria include the potential to address methodological gaps, scientific merit, patient-centeredness, and stakeholder engagement. Awards are expected to be announced in April 2027, with the earliest project start date anticipated in August 2027. PCORI requires that funded projects incorporate meaningful engagement of patients and other stakeholders throughout the research process. Applicants must outline strategies aligned with PCORI’s Foundational Expectations for Partnerships in Research, ensuring that research is relevant and useful for healthcare decision-making. Additionally, awardees must adhere to strict data management and sharing policies, including depositing deidentified datasets into designated repositories. This emphasis on transparency and collaboration supports PCORI’s goal of advancing open science and maximizing the impact of funded research. Applicants are encouraged to consult with PCORI staff prior to submission and may contact the organization via email for guidance. The funding opportunity reflects PCORI’s ongoing commitment to improving healthcare outcomes by enhancing the methods used to generate high-quality, patient-centered evidence. By focusing on methodological advancement, this program aims to strengthen the foundation of clinical research and improve decision-making across the healthcare system.

Focus on clearly addressing methodological gaps in patient-centered comparative effectiveness research and demonstrate strong patient and stakeholder engagement aligned with PCORI expectations.