Skip to main content
Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute
Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute
  • Blog
  • Newsroom
  • Find It Fast
  • Help Center
  • Subscribe
  • Careers
  • Contact Us

PCORI

Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute

Search form

  • About Us
    Close mega-menu

    About Us

    • Our Programs
    • Governance
    • Financials and Reports
    • Procurement Opportunities
    • Our Staff
    • Our Vision & Mission
    • Contact Us

    Fact Sheets: Learn More About PCORI

    Download fact sheets about out work, the research we fund, and our programs and initiatives.

    Find It Fast

    Browse through an alphabetical list of frequently accessed and searched terms for information and resources.

    Subscribe to PCORI Email Alerts

    Sign up for weekly emails to stay current on the latest results of our funded projects, and more.

  • Research & Results
    Close mega-menu

    Research & Results

    • Explore Our Portfolio
    • Research Fundamentals
    • Research Results Highlights
    • Putting Evidence to Work
    • Peer Review
    • Evidence Synthesis
    • About Our Research

    Evidence Updates from PCORI-Funded Studies

    These updates capture highlights of findings from systematic reviews and our funded research studies.

    Journal Articles About Our Funded Research

    Browse through a collection of journal publications that provides insights into PCORI-funded work.

    Explore Our Portfolio of Funded Projects

    Find out about projects based on the health conditions they focus on, the state they are in, and if they have results.

  • Topics
    Close mega-menu

    Topics

    • Addressing Disparities
    • Arthritis
    • Asthma
    • Cancer
    • Cardiovascular Disease
    • Children's Health
    • Community Health Workers
    • COVID-19
    • Dementia and Cognitive Impairment
    • Diabetes
    • Kidney Disease
    • Medicaid
    • Men's Health
    • Mental and Behavioral Health
    • Minority Mental Health
    • Multiple Chronic Conditions
    • Multiple Sclerosis
    • Obesity
    • Older Adults' Health
    • Pain Care and Opioids
    • Rare Diseases
    • Rural Health
    • Shared Decision Making
    • Telehealth
    • Transitional Care
    • Veterans Health
    • Women's Health

    Featured Topic: Women's Health

    Learn more about the projects we support on conditions that specifically or more often affect women.

  • Engagement
    Close mega-menu

    Engagement

    • The Value of Engagement
    • Engagement in Health Research Literature Explorer
    • Influencing the Culture of Research
    • Engagement Awards
    • Engagement Resources
    • Engage with Us

    Engagement Tools and Resources for Research

    This searchable peer-to-peer repository includes resources that can inform future work in patient-centered outcomes research.

    Explore Engagement in Health Literature

    This tool enables searching for published articles about engagement in health research.

    Research Fundamentals: A New On-Demand Training

    It enables those new to health research or patient-centered research to learn more about the research process.

  • Funding Opportunities
    Close mega-menu

    Funding Opportunities

    • What & Who We Fund
    • What You Need to Know to Apply
    • Applicant Training
    • Merit Review
    • Awardee Resources
    • Help Center

    PCORI Funding Opportunities

    View and learn about the newly opened funding announcements and the upcoming PFAs in 2021.

    Tips for Submitting a Responsive LOI

    Find out what PCORI looks for in a letter of intent (LOI) along with other helpful tips.

    PCORI Awardee Resources

    These resources can help awardees in complying with the terms and conditions of their contract.

  • Meetings & Events
    Close mega-menu

    Meetings & Events

    • Upcoming
    • Past Events

    PCORI 2021 and Beyond

    During this webinar, PCORI leaders shared ways to get involved in PCOR, improvements to our funding opportunities, and more.

    Confronting COVID-19: A Webinar Series

    Learn more about the series and access recordings and summary reports of all six sessions.

    2020 PCORI Annual Meeting

    Watch recordings of all sessions, and view titles and descriptions of the posters presented at the virtual meeting.

You are here

  • Funding Opportunities
  • Improving Methods for Conducting Pati...

Improving Methods for Conducting Patient-Centered Outcomes Research -- Cycle 2 2021

Letters of Intent are due Tuesday, June 1, 2021, by 5:00 p.m. ET.
Full applications will be due Tuesday, August 31, 2021, by 5:00 p.m. ET.


Sign Up for Funding News

With this PCORI Funding Announcement (PFA), PCORI aims to fund studies that address high-priority methodological gaps in patient-centered outcomes research (PCOR) and clinical comparative effectiveness research (CER).

PCORI seeks to fund projects that address important methodological gaps and lead to improvements in the strength and quality of evidence generated by PCOR/CER studies.

For the Cycle 1 2021 Methods PFA, PCORI has identified the following areas as programmatic priorities:

  • Methods to Improve the Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) in Clinical Research
  • Methods to Improve Study Design
  • Methods to Support Data Research Networks
  • Methods Related to Ethical and Human Subjects Protections Issues in PCOR/CER

The programmatic priority for artificial intelligence and machine learning replaced the priority for "Methods to Improve the Use of Natural Language Processing (NLP)" as of Cycle 3 2020. This change signals PCORI’s broader interest in funding methodological research that seeks to improve how massive amounts of data from a variety of sources can be: (1) appropriately analyzed and integrated into clinical care and health care delivery systems, and (2) facilitate population health models and social determinants of health analyses. Proposals should address mechanisms seeking to improve equitable, inclusive data collection and aggregation. NLP-related proposals will still be considered.

PCORI Improves Funding Opportunities and Application Process for 2021
Learn more about the PFAs that are opening in 2021, as well as changes to the application process and the pilot of a deferral option for applicants to the Broad and Methods PFAs.
Key Information
Status 
Open
Cycle 
Cycle 2 2021
Full Announcement 
PDF icon Methods PFA (2021)
Online System Opens 
January 5, 2021
Letter of Intent (LOI) Deadline
June 1, 2021 at 5pm ET
Application Deadline
August 31, 2021 at 5pm ET
Merit Review 
November 2021
Awards Announced 
March 2022
Earliest Start Date 
August 2022
Total Direct Costs 
$750,000
Funds Available Up To 
$12 million
Maximum Project Period 
3 years
Announcement Type 
Research Award

-

Research Fundamentals: Preparing You to Successfully Contribute to Research (A free on-demand training package on PCORI.org)

To Apply for this Opportunity

  1. Read the full funding announcement
  2. Follow the process outlined in the Submission Instructions
  3. Submit a Letter of Intent
  4. Submit an application (if invited)

Applicant Resources

Write Your LOI

  • Methods PFA
  • Methods Submission Instructions
  • Methods Submission Checklist
  • Methods LOI Template
  • Applicant FAQs
  • Methods PFA FAQs
  • PCORI Online: Pre-Award User Guide for Research Awards
  • Tips for Preparing a Responsive Letter of Intent (LOI)

Submit Your Application

  • Methods PFA
  • Methods Submission Instructions
  • Methods Submission Checklist
  • Applicant FAQs
  • Methods PFA FAQs
  • PCORI Online: Pre-Award User Guide for Research Awards

Required Application Templates

  • Methods PI Template
  • Methods Key Personnel Template
  • Methods Project/Performance Site(s) and Resources Template
  • Methods Leadership Plan Template (Only required if proposed project is dual-PI)
  • Methods Research Plan Template
  • Methodology Standards Checklist
  • Methods Milestones Template
  • Methods Subcontractor Detailed Budget Template
  • Methods Budget Justification Template
  • Methods Letters of Support Table

If you are Resubmitting Your Application

  • Methods Resubmission Letter Template

Additional Applicant Resources

  • PCORI Methodology Report and Standards
  • Policy on Submission of Research Contract Applications
  • Glossary
  • Ambassador Center
  • Engagement Rubric
  • Engagement in Research
  • Budgeting for Engagement Activities
  • Compensation Framework
  • Cost Principles: Description of Allowable Direct Costs under a PCORI Award
  • PCORI Merit Review Criteria
  • Standard Contract for Funded Research Projects
Submit an application
Apply Now

Funding Opportunities

  • What & Who We Fund
  • What You Need to Know to Apply
  • Applicant Training
  • Merit Review
  • Awardee Resources
  • Help Center

About Us

  • Our Programs
  • Governance
  • Financials and Reports
  • Procurement Opportunities
  • Our Staff
  • Our Vision & Mission
  • Contact Us

Research & Results

  • Explore Our Portfolio
  • Research Fundamentals
  • Research Results Highlights
  • Putting Evidence to Work
  • Peer Review
  • Evidence Synthesis
  • About Our Research

Engagement

  • The Value of Engagement
  • Engagement in Health Research Literature Explorer
  • Influencing the Culture of Research
  • Engagement Awards
  • Engagement Resources
  • Engage with Us

Funding Opportunities

  • What & Who We Fund
  • What You Need to Know to Apply
  • Applicant Training
  • Merit Review
  • Awardee Resources
  • Help Center

Meetings & Events

March 2
Cycle 1 2021 PCORnet Phase 3 Applicant Town Hall
March 8
Engagement Awards 2021 Special Cycle -- Applicant Office Hours (One)
March 15
Priorities on the Health Horizon: Informing PCORI's Strategic Plan (Webinar)

PCORI

Footer contact address

Patient-Centered Outcomes
Research Institute

1828 L Street, NW, Suite 900
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: (202) 827-7700 | Fax: (202) 355-9558
[email protected]

Subscribe to Newsletter

Twitter Facebook LinkedIn Vimeo

© 2011-2021 Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute. All Rights Reserved.

Privacy Policy | Terms of Use | Trademark Usage Guidelines | Credits | Help Center