PCORI to direct up to $600 million in health research funding spanning eight high-need areas impacting the nation's health

WASHINGTON, DC — The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) Board of Governors today approved PCORI investing up to $600 million in patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research (CER) through the development of funding opportunities for eight intersectional Topic Themes that address health issues spanning chronic conditions to emerging needs.

The total funding commitment is for up to three fiscal years beginning in fiscal 2024, which starts Oct. 1, 2023. It will enable PCORI to advance the development of a suite of funding opportunities inviting a range of studies addressing both short- and long-term information needs to promote the health of the nation.

The Topic Themes arise from a variety of inputs, including PCORI’s authorizing law and the wealth of public input received from a broad spectrum of patients and stakeholders during PCORI’s recent strategic planning effort. The eight Topic Themes approved for the development of funding opportunities are:

• Improving mental and behavioral health
• Improving cardiovascular health
• Preventing maternal morbidity and mortality
• Promoting health for older adults
• Addressing substance use
• Improving outcomes for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities
• Addressing rare disease
• Promoting sleep health

“Comparative clinical effectiveness research that PCORI will fund as a result of today’s Board approval has the potential to inform the health care choices and impact the well-being of millions of individuals and their families,” said Nakela L. Cook, M.D., MPH, PCORI’s executive director. “We are excited to continue this important work advancing our National Priorities for Health and generating sound evidence that helps patients, clinicians and caregivers understand their care options and become more empowered decision makers.”

PCORI will develop and issue funding announcements related to the Topic Themes that will complement other research funding opportunities it will continue to offer, including its Broad Pragmatic Studies and Phased Large Awards for Comparative Effectiveness Research funding opportunities. Later this year, the PCORI Board will consider funding for another four Topic Themes comprising promoting healthy children and youth, addressing violence and trauma, managing pain and addressing COVID-19.

“Informed by evidence gaps, the Board-approved Topic Themes, and input from patients and other stakeholders, PCORI is able to adapt to the evolving health and health care landscape, responding to patients, caregivers, clinicians and research communities by funding patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research,” said Harv Feldman, M.D., MSCE, PCORI’s deputy executive director for patient-centered research programs. “We encourage researchers to begin developing possible patient-focused CER proposals in advance of the issuance of focused PCORI Funding Announcements addressing these Topic Themes.”

To date, PCORI has invested approximately $4 billion to fund patient-centered CER and other research-related projects. Details about the most recent funding announcements are on PCORI’s website.