Advancing the Science of Engagement in Research PCORI Funding Announcement -- Cycle 3 2026
PCORI's Advancing the Science of Engagement grant funds research to develop and test measures and methods for effective stakeholder engagement in health research.
Funder: Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute
Due Dates: September 9, 2026 (Letter of Intent) | January 12, 2027 (Full application)
Funding Amounts: Up to $1M (measurement projects, 2 yrs) or $1.5M (methods/testing projects, 3 yrs) direct costs; total program up to ~$36M.
Summary: Supports research to develop, validate, and test measures and methods for effective stakeholder engagement in health research.
Key Information: Individuals may not apply; projects must focus on engagement in research, not clinical care or recruitment.
Description
This Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) funding opportunity seeks to advance the science of engagement in health research by supporting studies that fill critical evidence gaps around effective stakeholder engagement. Funded projects will either develop and validate measures for assessing engagement (structure, context, process, outcomes) or rigorously test methods to enhance meaningful involvement of stakeholders throughout the research lifecycle. The initiative aims to clarify what constitutes effective engagement, how to measure it, and which approaches work best in different contexts, ultimately strengthening the practice and impact of patient and stakeholder partnership in research.
