Broad Pragmatic Studies PCORI Funding Announcement -- Cycle 2 2026
PCORI funds large-scale, patient-centered comparative effectiveness research on diabetes, obesity, pelvic pain, and sickle cell disease, emphasizing stakeholder engagement and meaningful patient outcomes.
Funder: Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute
Due Dates: April 28, 2026 (Letter of Intent) | September 1, 2026 (Full application)
Funding Amounts: Up to $12 million direct costs per project (max 5 years); total program up to $120 million.
Summary: Supports large-scale, patient-centered comparative effectiveness research on high-impact health topics, emphasizing diabetes, obesity, pelvic pain, and sickle cell disease.
Key Information: LOI required; only invited applicants may submit full proposals; individuals cannot apply directly.
Description
This funding opportunity seeks high-impact, patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research (CER) projects that generate evidence to inform healthcare decisions. The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) welcomes investigator-initiated proposals using pragmatic randomized controlled trials, natural experiments, or well-designed observational studies with robust sample sizes and clinically meaningful, patient-important outcomes.
For the 2026 Cycle 2 round, PCORI places special emphasis on research addressing:
- Diabetes prevention, care, and treatment
- Obesity interventions and management
- Management of urogynecological and pelvic pain (including pregnancy and postpartum)
- Pain management for individuals with sickle cell disease
Applicants are expected to meaningfully engage patients and stakeholders throughout the research process, following PCORI’s Foundational Expectations for Partnerships in Research. Projects should propose outcomes that are relevant to patients and the broader healthcare community and may include patient-centered burdens and economic outcomes (as secondary outcomes only).
Three funding categories are available, including an option for national-scale studies leveraging the PCORnet® network. Coverage of certain patient care costs and structured mentorship activities may be requested with strong justification.
