Applicant FAQs

Applicant FAQs are organized by the steps taken to submit PCORI Funding Applications. Select the stage of the application process below to view common questions. If your question is not addressed, submit it via email to pfa@pcori.org. We’ll do our best to respond quickly and, if your question might be of broader interest, we’ll add it to our FAQs.

The Basics: General & Technical | Inform with Letter of Intent | Design the Research Plan | Document the People & Places | Develop the Budget | Submit the Application

The Basics: General & Technical

  1. Is PCORI a federal agency?
  2. Are recipients of PCORI funding subject to federal audit requirements?
  3. How does PCORI funding differ from other types of contracts or grants?

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Design the Research Plan

  1. Is there a specific disease or condition that is a priority for PCORI?
  2. My research question could fall under two PFAs. May I submit one application to multiple PFAs?
  3. Are preliminary results or pilot studies required for applications?

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Inform with Letter of Intent

  1. Will PCORI review brief abstracts or concept papers to determine if proposed research is of interest?
  2. How do I know if my research is of interest to PCORI?

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Document the People & Places

  1. What is the difference between the Patient and Stakeholders Engagement Plan and the Dissemination and Implementation Assessment section?
  2. Can PCORI provide more information on what level of patient and stakeholder engagement is expected?

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Develop the Budget

  1. What is the maximum funding that can be requested?
  2. Can you provide additional information on the indirect costs and their implications for subcontractors?
  3. My organization or subcontractor has a higher indirect cost rate than PCORI allows. Can I use our rate?

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Submit the Application

  1. If I do not submit a Letter of Intent (LOI), can I still submit an application? (I missed the deadline to submit an LOI. Can I still submit an application?)
  2. How soon after I submit my Letter of Intent (LOI) can I begin my application?
  3. Is there a greater chance a project will be funded if submitted in an earlier cycle?

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