Large Health Services Research Demonstration and Dissemination Projects for Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria (CARB)(R18)

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, has released a funding opportunity titled “Large Health Services Research Demonstration and Dissemination Projects for Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria (CARB) (R18).” This grant, issued under the Center for Quality Improvement and Patient Safety (CQuIPS), seeks to support large-scale demonstration and dissemination research that addresses the national challenge of antibiotic resistance. The funding aligns with both the National Action Plan for Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria (CARB NAP) and the National Action Plan to Prevent Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI NAP). These strategic frameworks guide federal action to prevent the spread of resistant bacteria, improve antibiotic stewardship, and mitigate the public health threat posed by antibiotic-resistant organisms. The FOA supports projects that demonstrate and disseminate effective interventions aimed at promoting appropriate antibiotic use, reducing transmission of resistant bacteria, and preventing healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). Priority is given to research in acute care hospitals, long-term care facilities, and ambulatory care settings. While antibiotic stewardship has seen more development in inpatient environments, AHRQ emphasizes the need for more research in outpatient and long-term care contexts. The grant is structured to encourage the adoption and implementation of proven interventions across various care settings. Eligible applicants include public and private institutions of higher education, state and local governments, federally and non-federally recognized tribal governments and organizations, nonprofit entities, and certain community-based and regional organizations. For-profit and foreign organizations may not apply as primary recipients, although they may participate as subcontractors or consortia members. To qualify, a single or combined principal investigator (PI) must devote at least 20% full-time effort annually. Applications may be submitted through Grants.gov using one of three methods: NIH ASSIST, institutional system-to-system submission, or Grants.gov Workspace. The grant uses the R18 mechanism and will provide up to $500,000 annually, with a total ceiling of $2.5 million over a maximum five-year project period. There is no matching requirement. Funding may be used only for activities directly related to the project and must comply with Uniform Administrative Requirements and HHS cost principles. Applications must conform to the Research (R) Instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide, with AHRQ-specific modifications, and include a robust data management and resource sharing plan. The grant opportunity remains open through October 31, 2026, with standard application due dates applicable. The earliest submission date was November 1, 2021, and applications are due by 5:00 PM local time of the applicant organization. Reviews occur roughly four months after submission, and funded projects can begin four months following peer review. Although no specific pre-application steps are required, applicants must ensure that all system registrations (eRA Commons, SAM, Grants.gov) are complete. There are no AIDS-specific deadlines. Key contacts include Dr. David Calfee and Dr. Melissa Miller, both from the Division of Healthcare-Associated Infections at AHRQ, available at david.calfee@ahrq.hhs.gov and melissa.miller@ahrq.hhs.gov, respectively. Administrative and financial questions may be directed to Steven Young at steven.young@ahrq.hhs.gov. AHRQ strongly encourages applicants to incorporate equity considerations into their proposals, especially those involving priority populations such as low-income groups, racial and ethnic minorities, women, children, elderly persons, and individuals with disabilities or chronic care needs.