About Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI)
PCORI funds rigorous, patient-centered comparative effectiveness research (CER) and the methods, engagement practices, and implementation efforts that make CER useful for patients, clinicians, and health systems. It supports a continuum of work — from small pilot studies and methods development to large, phased pragmatic trials and multi-state implementation projects — and emphasizes meaningful patient and stakeholder engagement and use of real-world data (including PCORnet). PCORI issues targeted funding announcements (PFAs) rather than accepting unsolicited proposals and focuses its investments within the United States.
Annual Giving$308M(2018)
Focus Areas
Pragmatic Comparative Effectiveness Research (real-world clinical/community settings)Methods Development for Patient-Centered Outcomes Research (measurement, engagement, analytic approaches)Patient and Stakeholder Engagement Capacity BuildingImplementation Science to Translate CER Findings into Practice (multi-state/regional scale-up)PCORnet and Use of Existing Health Data for CER
Giving Approach
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Program-driven, solicitation-based funding (PFAs) with required LOIs for most programs; awards range from small pilot grants to very large phased awards (typical ranges include ~$500K up to $22M), multi-year projects, and limited-competition follow-on opportunities. No unsolicited proposals; cycles and deadlines are PFA-specific.
How to approach this funder
Respond only to active PCORI funding announcements (watch PCORI’s funding opportunities page); submit required LOIs by PFA deadlines, and prepare a clear patient/stakeholder engagement plan and robust methods section. Tailor budgets to the award phase (pilot vs. PLACER large awards), and expect multi-year timelines and reporting/implementation expectations; unsolicited proposals are not accepted.
Notable grantees:
• PCORnet (Patient-Centered Clinical Research Network)
• Harvard Pilgrim Health Care Institute
• Duke University
• Johns Hopkins University
Open Grant Opportunities
Current and upcoming funding from Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) that your nonprofit may be able to apply for.
Open nowRolling / open intake
PCORI Funding Opportunities
patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness researchpreventive carediagnostic care+4 more
Who can apply: Projects must address patient-centered questions about health and health care and assess benefits and harms of interventions. Most funded projects involve patient and stakeholder partnerships throughout the research process. PCORI does not fund projects aimed primarily at developing/validating instruments, cost-effectiveness analyses using QALYs, or studies lacking patient/stakeholder involvement unless highly technical or methodological.
Deadline: Varies by funding announcement; announcement pages list LOI and application deadlines.
Who can apply: Designed for small organizations seeking to increase their ability to engage in patient-centered CER; applicants must meet PCORI engagement award requirements.
Deadline: Fall 2026 Cycle: LOI deadline Oct. 1, 2026; application deadline Jan. 11, 2027.
Deadlines and eligibility are summarized from public sources and may change — always confirm the details on the funder's official application page before applying.
