In August and September 2020, PCORI approved funding for nine new studies assessing various healthcare approaches to improve outcomes among people infected by the novel coronavirus and lessen its effects on patients, healthcare workers, and communities. Among the first seven approved studies are projects comparing the impacts on patients from state and local pandemic containment and mitigation policies, as well as projects on healthcare access and disparities in outcomes among racial and ethnic minorities and underserved populations.

An eighth study will look at the effects of policy changes relating to COVID-19-related medication-assisted treatment on people with opioid use disorders, and a ninth study will investigate different types and intensities of four basic preventive interventions in reducing rates of COVID-19 and related hospitalization and mortality in staff and adult residents with serious mental illness (SMI) and intellectual or developmental disabilities in congregate care settings.

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In April 2020, PCORI sought proposals for projects that would help communities increase their capacity to participate across all phases of the research process while responding to contextual changes as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. The special funding announcement also facilitated the exploration of virtual and distanced methods of engagement, and the generation of new questions and evidence needs across stakeholder groups. Through the special announcement, PCORI funded 25 projects.

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These funding opportunities are now closed.

Engagement Award: Building Capacity for PCOR/CER for Topics Related to COVID-19 This special funding opportunity will support projects that enable organizations and communities to build their capacity and skills to participate across all phases of the PCOR/CER process on topics that address health outcomes related to COVID-19. Projects will also provide an understanding of the impact of stakeholder engagement strategies within different settings and stakeholder groups focused on this special area of interest. View the closed funding opportunity

Increasing Vaccine Confidence among Long-Term Care Workers Expedited COVID-19 Targeted PCORI Funding Announcement -- April 2021 PCORI accepted proposals for comparative effectiveness research studies that answer the following question: What interventions are effective in increasing COVID-19 vaccine confidence and uptake among long-term care workers? View the closed funding opportunity

COVID-19-Related Enhancements to Existing PCORI-Funded Projects PCORI sought proposals from PCORI-funded study principal investigators and project leads that address the COVID-19 public health crisis through enhancements of their ongoing studies/projects. View the closed announcements

COVID-19 Targeted PFA (Cycle 2 2020) PCORI sought proposals for research that seeks to strengthen our understanding of ways to mitigate the virus’s impact and provide evidence to inform clinical and public health responses and planning. View the closed funding opportunity

Engagement Award: Supporting Engagement in and Dissemination of PCOR/CER in the Context of COVID-19 PCORI sought proposals for projects that would help communities increase their ability to participate across all phases of research while responding to societal changes resulting from the pandemic. View the closed funding opportunity

March 27, 2020—In light of the spread of COVID-19 caused by the novel coronavirus, the health and well-being of everyone is our primary concern as we endeavor to continue carrying out our mission with a concentration on reacting quickly to the current public health emergency.

Josie P. Briggs, MD Former Interim Executive Director

Safety and well-being are integral to our research funding, engagement with stakeholders, and other services, business processes, and infrastructure. We are assessing the situation daily, remaining vigilant, and following all recommendations from the World Health Organization, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and federal and state authorities.

Staff Availability: Following federal and state guidance to promote social distancing, PCORI’s staff has shifted to telework and is conducting meetings and other business through virtual platforms such as teleconferencing and videoconferencing. We will strive to be accessible and minimize disruptions as much as possible under the circumstances. We appreciate your understanding and patience as we engage with you under extraordinary conditions. 

Meetings: We are curtailing all business travel by PCORI staff for the foreseeable future. During that same period, we are postponing, switching to all-virtual formats, or canceling PCORI-hosted meetings. We appreciate your understanding. We are continuing with preparations for the 2020 PCORI Annual Meeting, scheduled for September 16-17 in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area. However, we may have to make appropriate adjustments to our plans, if necessary. We are also working with awardees to support their efforts to convert their planned in-person meetings to all-virtual formats or to postpone or cancel their meetings.

Funding Opportunities and Deadlines: As necessary, we are adjusting the deadlines related to our funding announcements and quickly exploring ways that PCORI can contribute to the evidence base for addressing this public health crisis. Revised deadlines and opportunities are noted in the Funding Opportunities section of our website and in these FAQs.

As we chart our course through these uncertain times together, we affirm PCORI’s ongoing commitment to our core activities of supporting engagement in research and studies that provide information people need to make better-informed healthcare decisions. We will continue to provide updated information and guidance through our website to awardees, applicants, and other stakeholders as the situation develops. 

Communities are facing enormous challenges and PCORI is committed to contributing to the important work needed to address the many uncertainties that face us all.