Frequently Asked Questions: Areas of Interest

HOW CAN I DETERMINE IF MY PROJECT AND PLANNED APPROACH IS A GOOD FIT FOR THIS PFA?

We encourage you to read the PFA closely, paying particular attention to the goals, areas of interest and review criteria. The PFA is the best available guidance regarding our interest in your planned research.

DOES THE PATIENT-ORIENTED OUTCOME RESEARCH PERTAIN ONLY TO MEDICAL PATIENTS? CAN GRANTS BE WRITTEN FOR PSYCHOLOGICAL OUTCOMES OR INCLUDE REHABILITATION PROFESSIONS?

Applications responsive to this PCORI Funding Announcement (PFA) must have a primary focus on developing, testing, refining, or evaluating approaches, and not be focused primarily on specific interventions or specific medical/health conditions. We also encourage you to read the PFA closely, paying particular attention to the goals, areas of interest and review criteria. The PFA is the best available guidance regarding our interest in your planned research.

IS IT ACCEPTABLE TO USE A SPECIFIC INTERVENTION AS AN EXAMPLE OF HOW THE METHODOLOGY WORKS? IN THE PROCESS OF DEVELOPING, TESTING, REFINING, AND EVALUATING APPROACHES, IT SEEMS THAT A SPECIFIC MEDICAL CONDITION OR INTERVENTION WOULD BE APPROPRIATE AS A PLACE FOR TEST.

Yes, it would be acceptable to use a specific intervention as an example of how the methodology works, but overall, the research outcomes must have broad applicability and utility towards improving patient outcomes.

IS IT ACCEPTABLE TO FOCUS ON A SPECIFIC DISEASE OR CONDITION FOR THE PURPOSE OF OUR PROJECT?

It is acceptable to focus on a specific disease or condition provided the study is designed to develop, test, refine and evaluate approaches or methods. In other words, the disease should simply provide the focus for the research with an overall goal that will have broader applicability toward improving patient outcomes and related research beyond the specific disease.

WHAT KIND OF PRELIMINARY AND PILOT WORK DO YOU EXPECT TO SEE FOR THESE APPLICATIONS?

Preliminary data or pilot work is not required but your application should discuss the justification for your approach.

IS IT ACCEPTABLE TO SUBMIT A PROJECT THAT SOLELY USES SECONDARY DATA?

Yes, it would be acceptable to submit a project that solely uses secondary data but the application should justify its use and purpose for achieving the project’s aims.