Notice Number: NOT-HS-08-004

Key Dates
Release Date:  December 14, 2007

Issued by
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)

The mission of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is to improve the quality, safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of healthcare for all Americans.  AHRQ achieves this mission by supporting a broad program of health services research and by working with partners to promote improvements in clinical and health systems practices that benefit patients.

In FY 2008, AHRQ intends to support research career development grants (K01, K02, and K08) focusing on the optimization of healthcare for medically complex patients.  The intent of these grants is to support the career development of clinical and research doctorates focusing their research on the generation of new scientific evidence and analytic tools that enable the prioritization of evidence-based services and goals (both preventive services and disease management) for patients with multiple co-morbidities (including physical and mental conditions).  Potential projects to be considered under this program would include those research areas that: 1. clarify how co-existing chronic conditions modify the safety or effectiveness of a) proven treatments for chronic diseases and b) recommended preventive interventions, or 2. help refine chronic disease quality measures for complex and frail patients.  In particular, the emphases in this grant program are on developing and enhancing research and methodological capacities that focus on issues related to complex patients, that combine clinical with methodological/statistical expertise, and that have the skills to participate in cross-disciplinary teams.  Proposals should describe how coursework and mentorship will contribute to this goal.   

Further guidance:

Use of Funding Mechanisms.  AHRQ will use its current career development mechanisms – the K01, K02, and K08.

Timeline Limitations.  Applications will be funded for 3-5 years. 

Application Submission.  With this notice, AHRQ is providing information about one of the highest research priorities for unsolicited applications for fiscal year 2008.  AHRQ will continue to provide regular updates of research priorities as research budget information becomes available.  Applications focused on areas identified in this SEN should be submitted on regular research career development grant receipt dates and will be reviewed by AHRQ’s standing study sections.  Information about the grant application process, including e-grant applications and the funding mechanisms noted above, can be found at http://www.ahrq.gov/fund/.

Inquiries

The AHRQ designated contacts for this SEN are:

            Mary Barton, M.D., M.P.P.
            Center for Primary Care, Prevention & Clinical Partnerships
            Phone:  301-427-1638
            E-mail: [email protected]         

K01, K02, and K08 inquiries:

            Kay Anderson, Ph.D.
            Office of Extramural Research, Education, and Priority Populations
            Phone:  301-427-1555
            E-mail:  [email protected]

Applicants are encouraged to contact the designated AHRQ staff early in the process of preparing applications in order to clarify questions and discuss potential research projects.