Agency for Health Care Research and Quality AI policy
In short
AHRQ has no AI rule of its own on using AI to write or review grant applications. The only guidance that reaches its applicants comes from HHS's Office of Research Integrity (ORI), which recommends that you identify any generative AI tools used in preparing a grant application and explain how you used them. ORI's guidance is a nonbinding recommendation, and it covers applications for PHS-funded biomedical or behavioral research only. Disclosed AI use that departs from accepted practice in your field may still be considered evidence of research misconduct. NIH's AI policies are not stated to apply to AHRQ. Check each NOFO for added rules.
These rules come from HHS Office of Research Integrity (PHS research misconduct rule, 42 CFR Part 93), which sets policy for Agency for Health Care Research and Quality applicants.
For applicants
- AHRQ has no AI rule of its own. For research applications, HHS's Office of Research Integrity recommends that you identify any generative AI tools you used in preparing the grant application and explain how you used them. This is nonbinding guidance under the HHS research misconduct rule (42 CFR Part 93), which covers applications for AHRQ research funding.[1][2]
- Disclosed AI use that departs from accepted practice in your field may still be considered evidence of research misconduct. Undisclosed or inaccurately described data generation or processing with AI tools may be evidence of data fabrication or falsification.[1]
Sources
- [1]Guidance for Public Health Service Policies on Research Misconduct, 42 CFR Part 93 (2024): Generative Artificial Intelligence
HHS Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, Office of Research Integrity, August 14, 2026
“Researchers should identify any generative AI tools used during their research and manuscript and grant preparation and explain how these tools were used.”
“This guidance document is provided by the Office of Research Integrity (ORI) to assist entities that apply for or receive Public Health Service (PHS) funding for biomedical or behavioral research”
“This guidance document does not create or confer rights for or on any person and does not operate to bind ORI, the Department of Health and Human Services, or the public.”
“If a researcher discloses use of a generative AI tool in a manner inconsistent with the accepted practices of the relevant research community, that use may still be considered evidence of research misconduct.”
“undisclosed or inaccurately described data generation or processing with AI tools may be evidence of data fabrication or falsification.”
- [2]42 CFR Part 93, Public Health Service Policies on Research Misconduct (sections 93.102 and 93.229)
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (Electronic Code of Federal Regulations)
“Public Health Service or PHS consists of the following components within HHS: the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, the Office of Global Affairs, the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response, the Advanced Research Projects Agency for Health, the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the Agency for Toxic Substances and Disease Registry, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention”
“Every extramural or intramural institution that applies for or receives PHS support for biomedical or behavioral research, biomedical or behavioral research training, or activities related to that research or research training must comply with this part.”
This page summarizes published guidance and is not legal advice. Policies change, and a specific solicitation can add its own rules, so confirm against the funding announcement before you apply. See every funder's AI policy.