Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute Announces $26 Million Pilot Projects Grant Program

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Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute

Sep 28, 2011, 09:00 ET

PCORI's First Major Funding Opportunity Will Support Approximately 40 Projects that Inform National Priorities and Advance Methodology for Patient-Centered Outcomes Research

WASHINGTON, Sept. 28, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) announced today the Pilot Projects Grant Program, the organization's first major funding opportunity. The purpose of the program is to inform PCORI's ongoing development and enhancement of national priorities for patient-centered outcomes research (PCOR), support the collection of preliminary data that can provide a platform for an evolving research agenda, and support the identification of research methodology to advance PCOR. All application materials can be downloaded from the "Funding Opportunities" section of PCORI's website, pcori.org.

"The PCORI Pilot Projects Grant Program will fund foundational research that will support and inform our national research priorities and agendas, which will evolve over time to reflect the needs of patients and the entire health care system," said PCORI Executive Director Joe Selby, M.D., M.P.H. "We know there are gaps in research and gaps in methodology that must be filled if we are to fulfill our mission of providing patients and those who care for them with high integrity, evidence-based information to support health care decisions and improve health care delivery. These pilot projects will begin to lay the ground work for our primary patient-centered research that will follow in the coming years."

PCORI intends to commit up to $26 million under this program – $13 million per year for two years – in support of approximately 40 awards. Support may be requested for up to $250,000 in direct costs per year. For this program, PCORI is interested in the development of research methods, patient-oriented outcomes instruments, patient-provider communication and other decision-making strategies, building collaborative research teams with stakeholders, translating research findings into clinical practice, stakeholder engagement, and research agenda setting strategies that can be used in future comparative effectiveness research. The topics for the pilot project were informed by input received from the public through PCORI's website in August.

The application opportunity is open to a wide range of organizations, including higher education institutions, nonprofit, public and commercial organizations, and tribal governments. Letters of intent for grants must be received by November 1, 2011, and applications must be received by December 1, 2011. Applicants will be expected to demonstrate the significance of their proposed research and how it addresses the program's goals.

"As part of PCORI's commitment to including patient and stakeholder perspectives throughout the research process, we hope to fund many collaborative efforts that bring together experienced researchers and individuals or organizations that represent patients, caregivers and the broader health care community," Selby said.

PCORI encourages applicants without prior research experience to partner with researchers who have appropriate experience. Similarly, experienced researchers are expected to include as members of their study team one or more of the following stakeholders, as appropriate: caregivers, health care providers, patients or patient-advocacy groups, or relevant professional associations.

PCORI will issue a call and application process through its website for reviewers. Individuals without previous review experience will be trained, if they are selected to participate.

SOURCE Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute