NOT-HS-13-010: AHRQ Announces Interest in Patient-Centered Outcomes Research (PCOR) Mentored Career Development Grants focused on Methodologies and Research in Translation, Implementation, and Diffusion of Research into Practice and Policy

AHRQ Announces Interest in Patient-Centered Outcomes Research (PCOR) Mentored Career Development Grants focused on Methodologies and Research in Translation, Implementation, and Diffusion of Research into Practice and Policy

Notice Number: NOT-HS-13-010

Key Dates
Release Date: July 2, 2013

Related Announcements
PA-13-180
PA-13-181
PAR-12-115

Issued by
Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ)

Purpose

Section 6301(b) of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, Public Law 111-148 (the “Affordable Care Act”), enacted Section 937(e) of the Public Health Service Act, authorizing AHRQ to build capacity for comparative effectiveness research [CER] by establishing grant programs that provide training for researchers in methods used to conduct research. It also notes that, “[at] a minimum, such training shall be in methods that meet the methodological standards adopted [by PCORI] under 1181(d)(9) of the Social Security Act.” In addition, AHRQ is charged with dissemination of PCOR and CER into practice, Section 937(a).

Important is the development of researchers who focus their careers on improving health outcomes through comparisons of clinical and system interventions. Equally important is creating a cadre of researchers interested in developing, refining, implementing, and evaluating research methods and strategies related to the translation, implementation and dissemination of effective health care. The purpose of this Notice is to announce AHRQ’s intent to support Patient Centered Outcomes Research (PCOR) career development grants (K01, K08, K18) that focus on the uptake of evidence-based clinical and system interventions that work best for specific populations, in specific settings, under specific circumstances. A critical component is development of strategies that meaningfully engage stakeholders (e.g., patients, providers, administrators, communities, patient advocates, families, organizations).

These grants will support the mentored career development of clinical and research doctorates who are interested in the development, implementation and evaluation of strategies for the translation, dissemination, and uptake of PCOR and effective clinical and system interventions. Areas of interest include:

Health Communication in PCOR
Development and evaluation of strategies for rapidly and effectively communicating and facilitating use of PCOR evidence among appropriate stakeholders.

Decision Making in PCOR
Development and testing of theoretical constructs and models for information transmission processes and structures, as they related to health and health care issues in technical and social contexts; including but not limited to frameworks for developing evidence thresholds for decision-making in different contexts and for different objectives. Conceptualization, measurement, and evaluation of approaches and methods for addressing and incorporating stakeholder uncertainty and the role of stakeholder preferences in decision making involved in the adoption of effective health care.

Evidence Dissemination and Implementation in PCOR
Conceptualization, measurement, and evaluation of individual, team, and organizational capacities for dissemination and implementation of clinical PCOR.

Methodological advancements for assessing implementation, translation, dissemination, uptake and evaluation of health care interventions.

Development and evaluation of patient-centered and other appropriate outcome measures suitable for assessing the translation, implementation, and diffusion of evidence-based healthcare practices.

Assessment of the influence of race, ethnicity, and socio-economic status on the uptake and use of PCOR in the clinical and system context.

Further Guidance:

Use of Funding Mechanisms. This Notice is applicable to current AHRQ-sponsored PCOR career development mechanisms. These include:

AHRQ Patient-Centered Outcomes Research (PCOR) Mentored Clinical Investigator Award (K08)
(see https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-13-180.html)
AHRQ Patient-Centered Outcomes Research (PCOR) Mentored Research Scientist Development Award (K01) (see https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PA-13-181.html)
AHRQ Mentored Career Enhancement Award in Patient Centered Outcomes Research (PCOR) for Mid-Career and Senior Investigators (K18) (see https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-12-115.html)

Application Submission. With this notice, AHRQ is providing information about one of the highest research priorities for unsolicited applications. AHRQ will continue to provide regular updates of research priorities as research budget information becomes available. Applications focused on areas identified in this Notice should be submitted on regular research career development grant receipt dates. 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

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.

The AHRQ designated contacts for this Notice are:

K01 and K08 (PA-13-181, PA-13-180) inquiries:
Kay Anderson, Ph.D.
Office of Extramural Research, Education, and Priority Populations
Telephone: 301-427-1555
Email: [email protected]

K18 (PA-12-115) inquiries:
Tamara Willis, Ph.D., M.P.H.
Office of Extramural Research, Education and Priority Populations
Telephone: (301) 427-1011
Email: [email protected]