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

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

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute
Amount: Up to US $12,000,000
Last Updated: April 03, 2026

Summary

The Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) is funding studies to enhance patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research (CER). The Cycle 2 2025 Methods Funding Announcement seeks innovative methods addressing key methodological gaps, including the use of AI in clinical research, study design improvements, and ethical considerations. With a funding cap of $12 million and project periods up to three years, eligible organizations must demonstrate relevance to the U.S. healthcare system.

Overview

With this PCORI Funding Announcement (PFA), PCORI aims to fund studies that address high-priority methodological gaps in patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research (CER). For the Cycle 2 2025 Methods PFA, PCORI has identified the following areas that address important methodological gaps and lead to improvements in the strength and quality of evidence generated by CER studies: Methods to Improve the Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) in Clinical ResearchMethods to Improve Study DesignMethods to Support Data Research NetworksMethods Related to Ethical and Human Subjects Protections Issues in CER Funds and Project Period Funds available up to $12 million.Total direct costs  up to $750,000.Maximum  project period up to 3 years.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. Private SectorPublic SectorUS Organizations:Must be recognized by the Internal Revenue Service.Foreign Organizations and Nondomestic Components of US Organizations:Foreign organizations and nondomestic components of US organizations must provide a thorough and thoughtful justification for the research’s ability to benefit the US healthcare system and must show that the engagement plans include US patients and stakeholders and are relevant to the US healthcare system.

Ineligibility

Individuals.PCORI doesn't fund:Research aimed primarily at developing and validating an instrument.Cost-effectiveness analysis measuring dollar-cost per quality-adjusted life-year.Comparisons that focus on the relative costs of care as the primary criterion for choosing between alternatives.Most projects that do not include patients or other healthcare stakeholders throughout the research process, unless they are highly technical or methodological projects.