Getting the Answers You Need, When You Need Them
Preparing a research application, even for a seasoned investigator, is no easy task. And the process can be especially difficult when submitting an application to a funding organization for the first time. Navigating an unfamiliar application development and submission process with its particular budgeting guidelines and online system—as the deadline looms—can certainly be daunting. But when you apply for PCORI funding, we’re here to help.
We are committed to providing you with the best customer service as you apply for research funding, so that you can submit your best Letter of Intent (LOI) or full application. We want to help you meet the deadlines, avoid administrative errors, and be responsive to our funding announcements, so you have the best possible chance of being selected for funding.
And, we extend our stellar service to others interested or engaged in patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research. Are you an awardee with a burning question on your contract budget? Are you a PCORI merit reviewer who has questions regarding our training program? Are you looking for information on awards we have granted or outcomes of our studies? Take advantage of the various channels through which we provide top-notch support.
Introducing the Online PCORI Help Center
We know that one of the fastest ways to find answers is to look online, so we are pleased to announce the launch of our new Help Center. There, applicants, reviewers, awardees and others can access the information quickly and efficiently. We will post our most current information and regularly update the frequently answered questions (FAQs). At that site, you will be able to:
- Create a profile and submit questions, which will be stored along with our responses in a secure location for your convenience
- Search our FAQ database
- Provide feedback that helps us to continuously make improvements
Helpdesk Services via Email
In addition to the online Help Center, we offer a robust email-based helpdesk that allows users to submit questions directly to PCORI staff. You can direct your inquiries to the following addresses:
- Administrative questions: pfa@pcori.org
- Questions about our research funding: sciencequestions@pcori.org
- Questions regarding patient and other stakeholder engagement: ea@pcori.org
- Questions about our Pipeline to Proposal awards: p2p@pcori.org
- Questions from awardees: fundedpfa@pcori.org
- Questions from reviewers: reviewers@pcori.org
- General questions: info@pcori.org
Or just send your question to pfa@pcori.org, and our helpdesk staff will make sure it gets to the right individual.
A Proven Track Record
We respond quickly to inquiries because we know it can be unnerving to have a question when you’re up against a deadline. As demonstrated by the graph for the full applications due November 4, 2014, applicants submitted 333 email questions during the week of the deadline. On the deadline day—the busiest day—we responded to 54 queries, with an average response time of six minutes.
Through the online Help Center and phone support, our helpdesk staff is committed to providing the answers you need, whether for submissions, reviews, funded projects, or general information. Only when you are able to do your work well can we serve our mission of funding research that helps people make informed decisions and improves healthcare delivery and health outcomes.
The launch of our new Help Center and expansion of our helpdesk was due, in part, to feedback we received from you. We encourage you to tell us how we are doing—we are indeed listening.
Applicant Email Questions Answered before November 4, 2014, Deadline
