Addressing Sensory Health Needs Across the Lifespan PCORI Funding Announcement -- Cycle 2 2026
PCORI funds research to improve screening, treatment, and support for sensory health conditions by supporting patient-centered, comparative effectiveness studies across all ages.
Funder: Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute
Due Dates: April 28, 2026 (LOI, 5:00 pm ET) | September 1, 2026 (Full application, 5:00 pm ET)
Funding Amounts: Up to $12 million direct costs per project (max 5 years); total funds available up to $60 million
Summary: Supports high-impact, patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research to improve care and outcomes for individuals with sensory health conditions across the lifespan.
Key Information: LOI required; individuals may submit only one LOI as PI/Dual-PI per cycle.
Description
This opportunity from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) seeks proposals for high-impact, patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research (CER) addressing sensory health needs across the lifespan. Sensory health conditions may affect one or more sensory systems (vision, hearing, smell, taste, touch, proprioception, vestibular, interoception), impacting communication, mobility, orientation, and access to information. PCORI encourages research that addresses evidence gaps in screening, treatment, support services, and interventions to enhance health outcomes for people with sensory conditions.
Priority areas include:
- Increasing screening and early detection, particularly in underserved and rural populations.
- Improving treatment and care coordination, including leveraging assistive technologies and integrating care across settings.
- Enhancing support services to improve mental health and reduce stigma for individuals with sensory health conditions and their care partners.
Projects must be patient-centered, meaningfully engage patients and stakeholders, and focus on outcomes important to patients, families, and care partners. Robust study designs (e.g., randomized controlled trials, well-designed observational studies, hybrid effectiveness-implementation trials) are encouraged. All proposals should consider implementation strategies to facilitate widespread and sustainable adoption of effective interventions.
