Addressing Health Outcomes for Individuals With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities (IDD) and/or Rare Diseases (RD) PCORI Funding Announcement -- Cycle 3 2026
Funds patient-centered comparative effectiveness research to improve health outcomes for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities and/or rare diseases, requiring active patient and stakeholder engagement.
Funder: Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute
Due Dates: September 9, 2026 (LOI) | January 12, 2027 (Full application)
Funding Amounts: Up to $12 million in direct costs per project; up to 5 years duration; total available: up to $60 million.
Summary: Supports high-impact, patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research (CER) to improve health outcomes for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and/or rare diseases (RD).
Key Information: Projects may focus on either IDD or RD populations, or both; meaningful patient and stakeholder engagement is required.
Description
This funding opportunity from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) aims to advance high-impact, patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research (CER) focused on individuals living with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) and/or rare diseases (RD). The initiative seeks to address critical research gaps by funding studies that explore CER questions relevant to these populations, acknowledging the diversity of conditions and experiences within IDD and RD communities.
PCORI encourages research in several special areas of emphasis, including:
- Improving access to patient-centered care
- Optimizing health system approaches for care transitions
- Evaluating pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic strategies to enhance physical and mental health
- Addressing the health and well-being of caregivers
Applications may propose randomized controlled trials or well-specified observational studies, and should include outcomes that are clinically meaningful to people with IDD and/or RD. Engagement with patients and stakeholders is required to ensure relevance and utility for healthcare decision-making.
