AHRQ Small Research Projects to Advance the Science of Primary Care (R03)

Background
The AHRQ Small Research Grant Program supports small research projects that can be carried out in a short period of time with limited resources. This program supports different types of projects including pilot and feasibility studies; secondary analysis of existing data; small, self-contained research projects; development of research methodology; and development of new research technology.

The AHRQ mission is to produce evidence to make health care safer, higher quality, more accessible, equitable and affordable, and to work with HHS and other partners to make sure that the evidence is understood and used. Revitalizing the Nation’s primary care system is critical to achieving AHRQ’s mission. AHRQ defines primary care as: The provision of whole-person, integrated, accessible, and equitable health care by interprofessional teams who are accountable for addressing the majority of an individual’s health and wellness needs across settings and through sustained relationships with patients, families, and communities.

Grant Details
This Small Research Grant (R03) NOFO will support discrete primary care-focused health services research projects designed to advance the science of primary care. The research strategy proposed by applicants must be related to the mission and research interests of AHRQ and its National Center for Excellence in Primary Care Research (NCEPCR).

The overarching objective of this funding opportunity is to advance understanding of the role and capacity of primary care to increase the value and quality of care and improve patient outcomes and population health by delivering person-centered care. Within AHRQ’s mission, the primary care-specific priority areas of focus are:
1. Research to improve primary care, including regarding quality, access and affordability, the workforce, care delivery models, financing, digital healthcare, person-centeredness, and health equity.
2. Harnessing data and technology to conduct research on characteristics of primary care that may influence patient outcomes, such as whole person care, care coordination, continuity of care, and comprehensiveness of care.
3. Research on management of clinical areas unique to primary care, such as multiple chronic conditions, preventive care, undifferentiated syndromes, quality improvement or behavioral and mental healthcare that is integrated within primary care.

Eligibility Requirements
Eligible organizations include higher education institutions (public/state controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education), nonprofits other than institutions of higher education (nonprofits with 501(c)(3) IRS status; nonprofits without 501(c)(3) IRS status), local governments, state governments, county governments, city or township governments, special district governments,
Indian/Native American tribal governments (federally recognized), Indian/Native American tribal governments (other than federally recognized), federal governments,
U.S. territory or possession entities such as independent school districts; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments); faith-based or community-based organizations; regional organizations.

Period of Performance
The project period may not exceed 2 years.

Grant Value
Application budgets are limited to $100,000 total costs (including direct and indirect costs) for the entire project period.