AHRQ Health Services Research Dissertation Program (R36)

The AHRQ Health Services Research Dissertation Program (R36) is an initiative of the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. This program is designed to support dissertation research by individuals pursuing a research doctorate in fields pertinent to health services. The R36 mechanism aligns with AHRQ’s mission to generate evidence to make healthcare in the United States safer, higher quality, more accessible, equitable, and affordable. The program specifically supports research efforts aimed at evaluating healthcare systems, clinical services, patient and provider behaviors, cost-effectiveness, financing, and healthcare delivery outcomes. The opportunity is tailored for full-time doctoral candidates who have completed all requirements for their degree except the dissertation and are enrolled in accredited academic programs in fields such as health services research, public health, epidemiology, health policy, behavioral sciences, and related disciplines. Candidates must be U.S. citizens, non-citizen nationals, or permanent residents. They must not hold more than part-time employment during the award and must not be recipients of mentored career development awards. The dissertation research must be relevant to AHRQ’s priorities, including patient safety, data and technology utilization, and innovations in healthcare delivery and financing. Additionally, applicants are encouraged to address issues affecting AHRQ’s priority populations, such as racial and ethnic minorities, low-income and rural populations, individuals with disabilities, and those adversely affected by systemic inequities. International health care studies are not permitted under this program. Funding provided under this NOFO consists of a stipend/salary up to the current National Research Service Award (NRSA) pre-doctoral stipend level, with an additional $15,000 in direct costs for expenses like tuition, data collection, or travel. Indirect costs are capped at 8% of modified total direct costs. Salary support is available only for the candidate, and not for faculty or other personnel. The award duration must be between 9 and 17 months. Individuals with active NRSA support can apply but are limited to the $15,000 for non-salary expenses. Unallowable costs include consulting, dissertation defense fees, space rental, and other administrative expenditures not directly related to the dissertation research. Applications must be submitted via ASSIST, Grants.gov Workspace, or an institutional system-to-system platform. A letter of intent is requested 30 days prior to each cycle’s deadline. Application due dates occur quarterly—on February 1, May 1, August 1, and November 1—by 5:00 PM local time. Required documents include a research strategy, institutional certifications, letters of support (one from the dissertation advisor or committee, and one from the candidate), and biographical sketches for all key personnel. Applications must comply strictly with instructions in the NOFO and SF424 (R&R) guide. Proposals undergo peer review approximately four months after submission, and the earliest start date is typically four months post-review. Evaluation criteria include scientific significance, investigator qualifications, innovation, approach, and institutional environment. Proposals are expected to address human subject protections and the inclusion of AHRQ priority populations. Funded projects must comply with federal data sharing, public access, and confidentiality regulations. Performance and financial reporting are required annually. Although this specific opportunity has expired as of March 6, 2026, applications may be accepted on a case-by-case basis under NIH’s late or continuous submission policies. For ongoing or new opportunities, applicants should consult the NIH Guide or contact the eRA Service Desk for assistance.