Phased Large Awards for Comparative Effectiveness Research (PLACER) Program

The Phased Large Awards for Comparative Effectiveness Research (PLACER) funding opportunity is administered by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute, a nonprofit organization authorized by Congress to fund research that helps patients, caregivers, and clinicians make informed healthcare decisions. PCORI focuses on patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research, which evaluates the benefits and harms of different healthcare interventions in real-world settings. This funding opportunity supports large-scale randomized controlled trials designed to address critical gaps in evidence that impact healthcare decision-making across the United States. The purpose of this funding announcement is to support high-impact studies that compare existing healthcare interventions that are already in use and have established efficacy or widespread adoption. These studies must address meaningful clinical or care delivery decisions faced by patients and healthcare stakeholders. The program requires applicants to propose randomized controlled trials, either at the individual or cluster level, that are large in scale and designed to produce actionable evidence. Projects must focus on comparing at least two alternatives and cannot be used to develop new interventions or test unproven treatments. Funding is structured in two phases. The first phase is a feasibility phase lasting up to 18 months, during which applicants must refine study design, establish infrastructure, engage stakeholders, and test recruitment and operational processes. This phase is not intended to establish efficacy but to demonstrate that a full-scale trial is viable. Continuation to the second phase, which may last up to five years, depends on successfully meeting predefined milestones and deliverables. The total project period may not exceed 6.5 years, and projects must include a Data Coordinating Center to ensure robust statistical and data management oversight. Applicants may request up to 22 million dollars in total direct costs, including up to 2 million dollars for the feasibility phase and up to 20 million dollars for the full-scale study phase. The program intends to commit approximately 120 million dollars across all awards. Applications requesting less than 12 million dollars are considered nonresponsive. While patient care costs may be requested, they are subject to review and are not guaranteed. Matching funds are not required for this program. Eligible applicants include academic institutions, nonprofit and for-profit research organizations, government agencies, and other entities capable of conducting large-scale clinical research. Individuals are not permitted to apply. Foreign organizations may apply only if they can demonstrate that the research will benefit healthcare in the United States and includes engagement with U.S.-based patients and stakeholders. All applicants must demonstrate compliance with PCORI’s methodology standards, data sharing policies, and ethical requirements. The application process consists of two stages. Applicants are required to submit a Letter of Intent by April 28, 2026. Only selected applicants are invited to submit a full application, which must be submitted by September 1, 2026. Applications are evaluated based on criteria including scientific merit, patient-centeredness, stakeholder engagement, feasibility, and potential impact on healthcare practice. Awards are expected to be announced in April 2027, with project start dates beginning as early as August 2027. The program is expected to recur in future years, with additional funding opportunities anticipated in 2027. For inquiries, applicants may contact PCORI via the program email address. Additional support resources, including guidance documents and recorded webinars, are available through the PCORI website. The full funding announcement is available as a PDF document for detailed review of requirements, evaluation criteria, and submission instructions.

Ensure strong stakeholder engagement and patient-centered design, clearly justify evidence gaps, and demonstrate feasibility through realistic recruitment and operational plans.