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PCORI Funding

Open Opportunities: Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI)

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Home > PCORI Funding > Broad Pragmatic Studies – Cycle 1 – 2026

Broad Pragmatic Studies

New Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) funding opportunity: Up to $12 million in direct costs for funding patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research (CER) projects, comparing two or more approaches for prevention, diagnosis, treatment, or care delivery. PCORI is interested in research that fills pertinent evidence gaps representing decisional dilemmas for patients, caregivers, clinicians, policymakers and other healthcare system stakeholders. The research projects can have a duration of up to five years.

Studies should:

  • Compare existing interventions that have established evidence of efficacy or are currently in widespread use
  • Include evidence-based, impactful, patient-centered outcomes as indicated by patients, families, and caregivers (particularly those with lived experience) from the population of interest, as well as relevant members of the broader health and healthcare community
  • Examine diverse populations with an overall sample size that will allow precision in the estimation of hypothesized effect sizes and, as appropriate, analysis of heterogeneity of treatment effect
  • Include meaningful patient and partner engagement

PCORI is particularly interested in submissions that address the following Special Areas of Emphasis (SAEs),

  • Addressing obesity
  • Treatments and strategies to address menopausal symptoms
  • Improving Care Delivery for Individuals with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD)

For this funding announcement, applicants may request coverage of patient care costs. All applicants submitting to this funding opportunity may propose coverage of structured mentorship activities for early- or mid-career investigators.

Highlights

  • Total allocated for this funding opportunity: Approximately $120 million total for all categories (1, 2 and 3) Budget:
    • Category 1: Less than or equal to $5 million in direct costs
    • Category 2: Greater than $5 million; up to $12 million in direct costs
    • Category 3 (utilizing PCORnet): Up to $12 million in direct costs
  • Maximum project period: 5 years
  • December 2 – Application opens
  • December 8 – Town Hall
  • January 6, 2026 – Letters of Intent due

How to Apply

To apply for this funding opportunity, there are four steps you must follow.

  • Read the full funding announcement, available online.
  • Follow the process outlined in the submission instructions.
  • Submit a Letter of Intent using the template on the application page.
  • Submit an application (if invited).

Important Dates

December 2 – Applications open
December 8 – Town Hall
January 6, 2026 – Letters of Intent due
February 3, 2026 – LOI status notification
May 5, 2026 – Applications due
July 2026 – Merit review
November 2026 – Awards announced
March 2027 – Earliest start date

Harvard Catalyst PCORI Consultation

For more information or to request a brief consultation, please contact Leslie MacGregor, PCORI Funding Specialist: Leslie_MacGregor@hms.harvard.edu