Broad Pragmatic Studies PCORI Funding Announcement -- Cycle 3 2026
PCORI funds large-scale, patient-centered research comparing health interventions, with priority on mental health, cancer survivorship, diabetes, and pain management for diverse populations.
Funder: Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute
Due Dates: September 9, 2026 (LOI) | January 12, 2027 (Full Application)
Funding Amounts: Up to $12 million direct costs per project; total program budget up to $120 million; project period up to 5 years.
Summary: Supports high-impact, patient-centered comparative effectiveness research on health interventions, with a focus on mental health, cancer survivorship, diabetes, and pain management.
Key Information: Applicants must address PCORI’s Foundational Expectations for Partnerships in Research in their engagement plans.
Description
This opportunity from the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) funds high-impact, patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research (CER) that compares health treatments, services, or care delivery strategies. For Cycle 3 2026, PCORI highlights special areas of emphasis: mental health and substance use outcomes for pregnant and postpartum populations, cancer survivorship, diabetes prevention and care, management of neuropathic pain, and pain management in individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities or Alzheimer's disease. Projects must meaningfully engage patients and stakeholders throughout, use robust study designs (e.g., randomized controlled trials, well-designed observational studies), and focus on outcomes that are clinically meaningful and important to patients. Structured mentorship activities for early- and mid-career investigators or those transitioning to patient-centered CER are encouraged.
