On Contracts: All Systems Go

We recently launched our second year of primary research funding by updating and improving our five broad PCORI Funding Announcements (PFAs) in response to feedback from applicants. We heard your requests for greater clarity about the review criteria we use to assess proposals, and we think we’ve addressed those concerns. In addition, we’ve tried to streamline the funding opportunities section of our website and make it easier for you to find the information you need.

We encourage you to visit the Funding Opportunities section of PCORI's website, a centralized location for all of the resources you need to respond to current PFAs, including all required templates, application guidelines, and details about each PFA.

We’ve also launched a new online system to support our application and review process. The PCORI Online System not only will make it easier for researchers to submit letters of intent (LOIs) and applications but also will facilitate the review process by making it easier for our reviewers to review submissions and submit comments.

If you’ve never responded to a PFA, you will need to register in the system. If you have applied in the past, you don’t need to re-register – just request a new password by clicking on the “I forgot my password” link on the login screen.

Whether you’re a first-timer or a returning applicant, you should find the PCORI Online System: Getting Started a helpful guide to preparing and submitting a Letter of Intent (LOI). Click here for a tutorial on how to register, login, and submit your LOI in five easy steps:

Here are a few more details to keep in mind.

Submitting a Letter of Intent

To complete your Letter of Intent (LOI), you’ll need the organization’s DUNS and EIN numbers for the Principal Investigator and key personnel. You also must answer several project-related questions and enter a project abstract, or upload a LOI template, found in the Applicant Resources section for each PFA. The specific steps you need to follow will depend on the PFA for which you’re applying. Note that you’ll need special permission from us to propose projects that exceed a particular funding announcement’s monetary or project time period limits.

Remember: all PCORI PFAs require that you submit a LOI prior to submission of a full application.

Submitting an Application

To submit an application, please review (and update, if necessary) the information entered in the LOI, enter additional project information, and complete the application’s milestones section. You must also complete a detailed budget and budget justification and upload several supporting documents, as indicated in the application instructions, as part of your full proposal. And please remember that only documents in PDF format can be uploaded. You can review our Application Guidelines, available from each PFA page in the Funding Opportunities section of our website, for more guidance.

Let us know what you think about the new system. We’re committed to continuing our efforts to make it easier for you to apply and to help us review submitted applications. Please send feedback to pfa@pcori.org. We’re listening!