
Building Capacity for PCOR/CER Related to COVID-19
COVID-19 is an evolving and ongoing health crisis, and PCORI’s comprehensive response continues to grow. In 2020, the Engagement Awards program offered a funding opportunity to add COVID-19-related aims to existing projects, along with a PFA for projects to help communities engage effectively while responding to societal changes, such as social distancing requirements, resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. These projects are in process.
This special cycle is the next step in the Engagement Awards program’s response. This PFA supports projects that enable organizations and communities to build capacity and skills to participate across all phases of PCOR/CER. Projects should explore and address the urgent and unique needs specifically related to:
- the long-term effects of post-acute COVID-19
- the impact of COVID-19 on disproportionate affected populations
- the impact of COVID-19 on social isolation and loneliness (mental health and well-being)
- engaging, educating, and promoting informed decision making around COVID-19 vaccines.
Other relevant topics related to COVID-19 health outcomes with appropriate justification will also be considered. View the PFA for more details and to apply.
Engagement Award: Building Capacity for PCOR/CER for Topics Related to COVID-19

Building Capacity for PCOR/CER in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
PCORI’s reauthorizing legislation in 2019 identified two new research priority areas. One, maternal morbidity and mortality, is a special area of interest in the Engagement Awards program’s April 2021 Cycle PFAs, and this PFA addresses the other: individuals with intellectual and/or developmental disabilities.
Developmental disabilities are chronic disabilities that originate at birth or in the developmental period, causing impairment in physical, learning, language, and/or behavioral areas. Intellectual disabilities, which fall under the umbrella term of developmental disabilities, involve limitations to cognitive function (reasoning, learning, problem solving) and adaptive behavior. Not all developmental disabilities include limitations in cognitive ability.
This PFA offers the opportunity for organizations and community groups to build capacity and skills to participate in PCOR/CER related to IDD, and to understand the impact of stakeholder engagement within different settings and stakeholder groups focused on this special area of interest.
Project should explore building capacity for stakeholder engagement with PCOR/CER in IDD on topics such as:
- addressing health equity and advancing IDD health outcomes for vulnerable populations
- leveraging community-based and patient-centered models of care delivery
- challenges related to clinical care delivery, coordination, and access
- telehealth solutions
- transition from pediatric care to adulthood
- caregiver needs and access to wraparound support
- patient needs and preferences.
View the PFA for more details and to apply.
Engagement Award: Building Capacity for PCOR/CER in Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities
In addition to joining applicant office hours (view dates) for more information, prospective applicants can email ea@pcori.org with additional questions.
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