Key Dates

Related Announcements

• November 1, 2023 - Notice of Intent to Publish a Funding Opportunity Announcement to Create State-based Healthcare Extension Cooperatives to Accelerate Implementation of Actionable Evidence into Practice. See NOT-HS-24-003. 

Issued by

AGENCY FOR HEALTHCARE RESEARCH & QUALITY (AHRQ)

Purpose

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) intends to publish a notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) to create State-based Healthcare Extension Cooperatives that can accelerate the dissemination and implementation of patient-centered outcome research (PCOR) evidence into practice.  In addition, AHRQ intends to publish two related NOFOs, a National Coordinating Center, and National Evaluation Center to support AHRQ’s initiative —AHRQ’s Healthcare Extension Service, State-based Solutions to Healthcare Improvement.  The purpose of the initiative is to accelerate dissemination and implementation of PCOR evidence through improvements in healthcare policy, payment, and practice and to reduce healthcare disparities especially among people who receive Medicaid, are uninsured, and other people who are medically underserved.

State-based Healthcare Extension Cooperatives to Accelerate Implementation of Actionable Knowledge into Practice (U19) 

This NOFO invites applications to establish and support State-based Healthcare Extension Cooperatives (referred to as Cooperatives) to conduct initiatives that are based on PCOR evidence to improve care for medically underserved people; one initiative's focus must be on behavioral healthcare. Applicants will identify a single state that will be the focus of the Cooperative’s activities. To support initiatives, the Cooperative will (1) engage key stakeholders including Medicaid agencies, managed care organizations, and other organizations that address the health needs of people who are medically underserved in identifying and addressing barriers and facilitators to implementing patient-centered healthcare delivery improvements that are based on PCOR evidence, (2) work with healthcare policy, payment, community, care delivery, and research organizations that serve people who are medically underserved to build their capacity to implement patient-centered healthcare delivery improvements based on PCOR evidence, and to support ongoing learning, (3) conduct evaluations of the Cooperative's activities and (4) provide the support structure to ensure these activities are integrated and aligned. The NOFO is expected to be published in Summer 2024 with an expected application due date in Winter 2024.   

National Coordinating Center (NCC) for AHRQ's Healthcare Extension Service: State-based Solutions to Healthcare Improvements (U54) 

This NOFO will invite applications for a National Coordinating Center (NCC) to provide support and guidance to the recipients of the State-based Healthcare Extension Cooperatives to Accelerate Implementation of Actionable Knowledge into Practice (U19) and the National Evaluation Center (NEC) for AHRQ's Healthcare Extension Service: State-based Solutions to Healthcare Improvement (U19).  The NCC recipient will provide services in 4 main areas: 1) technical assistance; 2) establishment and support of learning networks of State-based Healthcare Extension Cooperative recipients; 3) communications related to cooperatives’ activities and lessons learned; and 4) leadership and project management. The NCC recipient will contribute to the overall goal to accelerate dissemination and implementation of PCOR evidence through improvements in healthcare policy, payment, and practice and to reduce healthcare disparities especially among people who receive Medicaid, are uninsured, and other people who are medically underserved. AHRQ intends to fund one award for a project period of up to five years for the NCC. The NOFO is expected to be published in Summer 2024 with an expected application due date in Fall 2024.   

National Evaluation Center (NEC) for AHRQ's Healthcare Extension Service: State-based Solutions to Healthcare Improvement (U19)

This NOFO will invite applications for a National Evaluation Center (NEC) to evaluate AHRQ’s Healthcare Extension Service: State-based Solutions to Healthcare Improvement. The NEC will: 1) develop data, measures, and methods to assess the range, reach, and effectiveness of healthcare extension service models proposed and implemented by state cooperative recipients; and 2) conduct a multi-method rapid-cycle formative and summative program evaluation of the healthcare extension service, and the technical assistance and other services provided by the initiative’s National Coordinating Center. The NEC recipient will contribute to the overall goal to accelerate dissemination and implementation of PCOR evidence through improvements in healthcare policy, payment, and practice and to reduce healthcare disparities especially among people who receive Medicaid, are uninsured, and other people who are medically underserved. AHRQ intends to fund one award for a project period of up to five years for the NEC.  The NOFO is expected to be published in Summer 2024 with an expected application due date in Fall 2024. 

This Notice of Information builds on AHRQ’s prior Patient-Centered Outcome Research (PCOR) Trust Fund investments developing the evidence base for healthcare extension services and leverages AHRQ’s expertise in supporting healthcare transformation and learning health systems. For more information: Patient-Centered Outcomes Research (PCOR) at AHRQ | Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality and About the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Trust Fund | Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (ahrq.gov).  

This Notice is being provided to allow potential applicants sufficient time to develop meaningful collaborations and responsive applications. For general information about AHRQ’s research policies, including grant application, review, and award process, see: Funding & Grants | Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (ahrq.gov). 

Interested applicants are encouraged to check AHRQ’s Healthcare Extension Service Initiative | Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality for information about technical assistance webinars and resources after the NOFOs are published.   

Inquiries

Please direct all inquiries to:

AHRQ’s Healthcare Extension Service, State-based Solutions to Healthcare Improvement 

Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality 

Email:  AHRQ_HES@ahrq.hhs.gov