PCORI Announces Funding Opportunity for Pragmatic Studies

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) has announced a second funding cycle to support pragmatic clinical trials, large simple trials, or large-scale observational studies to compare options for: addressing disease or symptom prevention, diagnosis, treatment, or management; improving health care system–level approaches to managing care; or for eliminating health or healthcare disparities. Direct project costs may total up to $10 million and project periods may be up to five years. Eligible applicants include IRS-recognized private sector research organizations (non-profit and for-profit) and public sector research organizations (universities, colleges, hospitals, laboratories, health care systems, and units of state and local governments). Foreign and non-domestic organization components may also be eligible and should consult PCORI’s application guidelines for more information.

Relevant stakeholders, such as payer and purchaser organizations, are required to be included as partners and actively participate in the study. Consequently, coalitions and employers interested in practical comparative questions faced by patients and clinicians, broader and more diverse populations, and real-world clinical and diverse health-system settings may wish to consider applying or partnering with an applicant for this funding.

DEADLINE: Letters of intent are due June 27, 2014 and applications (if invited to apply) are due November 4, 2014. PCORI will hold an applicant town hall session June 4, 2014 3-4 p.m. More information about the funding opportunities is on the PCORI website.