PCORI: Advancing the Science of Engagement in Research

If you are interested in the following opportunity, please contact Carole King at carole.king@med.usc.edu.

• LOI due: January 6, 2026
• Budget: up to $1,500,000 (plus 40% indirects)
• Project period: up to three years

This RFP is focused on engagement of partners in research, i.e., the life-cycle of planning, conducting and disseminating research projects. PCORI is seeking to fund studies that build an evidence base on engagement in research, including: 

• Measures to capture structure/context, process, and outcomes of engagement in research.  
• Techniques that lead to effective engagement in research.
• How effective engagement techniques should be modified and resourced for different contexts, settings, and communities.

Applications focused on patient engagement in clinical or self-care are not responsive.

Research should focus on:

• Engagement with partner representativeness, available resources, and barriers or facilitators to meaningful participation.
• Activities that include planning, supporting, facilitating, and managing engagement, as well as determining the appropriate level of involvement.
• How effective engagement contributes to research efficiency, study completion, patient-centeredness, and the relevance of study findings.