News Release

PCORI Makes More than $350 Million in Research Support Available through Latest Funding Announcements

Opportunities Include Funding for Studies of Pelvic Prolapse Treatment, Pneumonia, Opioid Prescribing, Palliative Care, and Sickle Cell Disease
Published: Aug. 17, 2016

WASHINGTON, DC — The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) has issued 10 new announcements offering up to $351 million in funding for patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research (CER) study proposals. The goal is to fill gaps in knowledge about which healthcare options work most effectively for which patients.

One of the new PCORI Funding Announcements (PFAs) will make a total of up to $30 million available for up to six studies comparing ways to prevent unsafe prescribing of opioids to treat people with acute or chronic pain.

Another PFA offers up to $48 million for studies to improve palliative care planning for patients with advanced illnesses, as well as research comparing different palliative care delivery models in community settings.

A third offers up to $25 million for up to three studies comparing ways to manage the transition of people with sickle cell disease from pediatric to adult care.

PCORI also issued its latest PFA through its Pragmatic Clinical Studies Initiative, including special calls for proposals focused on comparing transvaginal mesh and other treatments for pelvic organ prolapse in women and alternative antibiotic regimens in treating adults with community-acquired pneumonia. Up to $40 million is earmarked for studies on each of these special emphasis topics. This is in addition to the up to $90 million available through this PFA for studies of dozens of other patient-centered research questions identified through PCORI’s topic prioritization process and by other key groups.

Five additional funding announcements offer a total of up to $76 million in funds for researchers’ best ideas for patient-centered CER projects under PCORI’s National Priorities for Research. 

Those who wish to apply for any of these funding opportunities first must submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) by 5 p.m. ET Wednesday, Sept. 14. LOIs will be reviewed for responsiveness and fit with program goals. Those invited to submit full applications will have until Monday, Dec. 19, to do so.

Information and key dates related to all of PCORI’s funding opportunities can be found in the Funding Opportunities section on PCORI’s website.