AHRQ Small Research Projects to Advance the Science of Primary Care (R03) | PA 23 115

Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 23 115

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is offering the "AHRQ Small Research Projects to Advance the Science of Primary Care (R03)" funding opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number PA-23-115). It is a discretionary grant program in the health category (CFDA 93.226) designed to fund smaller, focused research efforts that can be completed in a relatively short time and with limited resources. The intent is to help investigators generate useful evidence, test ideas quickly, and build a foundation for larger primary care research projects, while still producing results that matter for how primary care is organized, delivered, and improved.

This R03 mechanism supports several common small-project formats. It can be used for pilot and feasibility studies where the main goal is to see whether an approach is workable, refine an intervention or implementation strategy, or establish early signals that justify a larger study later. It also supports secondary analysis of existing data, which typically means using already-collected datasets (for example, survey data, administrative claims, electronic health record extracts, or registries) to answer new research questions without the cost and time required for new data collection. In addition, the opportunity covers small, self-contained research projects that can stand on their own with clear aims and deliverables, as well as projects focused on the development of research methodology (such as new measures, analytic approaches, study designs, or evaluation frameworks) and the development of new research technology (for example, tools or platforms that improve how primary care research is conducted, measured, or implemented). Overall, the program is structured to encourage practical, efficient studies that move the science of primary care forward through quick learning cycles.

A wide range of U.S.-based applicant organizations are eligible. Eligible applicants include state, county, and city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; and private institutions of higher education. Tribal eligibility is broad, covering Native American tribal governments that are federally recognized as well as Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized tribal governments. Housing-related public entities such as public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities are also eligible. The program allows nonprofit participation both for organizations with IRS 501(c)(3) status (that are not institutions of higher education) and nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (also not institutions of higher education). The opportunity also lists "other" applicants as eligible, which typically signals additional flexibility for certain organizational types that meet federal eligibility rules.

Beyond the general categories above, AHRQ explicitly calls out additional eligible applicant types that are often priorities for broad participation in federally funded research. These include Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Asian American, Native American, and Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs); Hispanic-serving institutions; Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs); and other Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (other than federally recognized). The opportunity also recognizes eligible agencies of the federal government, faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions as potential applicants. Taken together, the eligibility language is meant to ensure that primary care research can be led by many kinds of organizations, including community-rooted and mission-driven institutions that serve populations often underrepresented in research.

There are important restrictions related to foreign involvement. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities, including foreign organizations and foreign institutions, are not eligible to apply. In addition, non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply. Practically, that means the applicant organization must be U.S.-based and the work supported under the award must be carried out through eligible domestic organizational components, rather than through an overseas branch or unit.

The opportunity was created on January 26, 2023, and lists an original closing date of March 19, 2027, indicating a multi-year window during which applications may be accepted according to the funding announcement's cycles and submission dates. The listing does not specify an award ceiling or expected number of awards in the provided data, so applicants would typically need to consult the full announcement text and related AHRQ guidance for the current budget limits, project period expectations, and any topic-specific priorities within primary care research that AHRQ is emphasizing under this R03 program.

• The Agency for Health Care Research and Quality in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "AHRQ Small Research Projects to Advance the Science of Primary Care (R03)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.226.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2023-01-26.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2027-03-19.
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Others.

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