Using Innovative Digital Healthcare Solutions to Improve Quality at the Point of Care (R21/R33 - Clinical Trial Optional)

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is accepting applications for the grant program titled "Using Innovative Digital Healthcare Solutions to Improve Quality at the Point of Care." AHRQ's mission centers on improving the safety, quality, accessibility, and affordability of healthcare. This funding opportunity aligns with AHRQ’s strategic objective to enhance healthcare delivery through the development and evaluation of digital innovations that are employed directly at the point of care. This funding opportunity utilizes the Phased Innovation Award mechanism (R21/R33), which allows researchers to conduct exploratory and developmental work (R21 phase) for up to two years, followed by an expansion phase (R33) for up to three years. The total award period may not exceed five years, and transition from R21 to R33 is contingent upon the successful completion of specific milestones and AHRQ program priorities and funding availability. Applicants must submit a proposal that includes both phases, as standalone R21 or R33 applications will not be accepted. The objective of this funding initiative is to generate robust evidence on how digital healthcare interventions can improve the quality of services at the point of care. Acceptable projects may involve artificial intelligence tools, patient-centered digital health technologies (e.g., wearables, mobile health solutions), and clinical decision support systems that facilitate shared decision-making, improve workflow efficiency, and support equitable outcomes. The scope of research must demonstrate integration into care delivery models and address challenges such as disparities, usability, scalability, and sustainability of the digital solutions. Interventions that reduce healthcare delivery burdens while enhancing patient engagement are encouraged. Applications must detail how the intervention addresses specific healthcare delivery problems, its anticipated impact on clinical workflow and outcomes, and a testable hypothesis that spans both funding phases. Proposals should include rigorous evaluation plans using qualitative, quantitative, or hybrid methods to measure reliability, safety, quality improvement, and reductions in disparities. The inclusion of diverse healthcare settings and populations, particularly underserved groups, is strongly encouraged. AHRQ mandates that funded research contribute to a broad knowledge base that is inclusive of priority populations such as racial/ethnic minorities, individuals in rural areas, persons with disabilities, and the elderly. To apply, institutions must be registered with Grants.gov, SAM, and eRA Commons, and must submit applications electronically using the NIH ASSIST system, an institutional system-to-system (S2S) platform, or Grants.gov Workspace. Detailed instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide must be followed, including formatting the research strategy to include milestone planning, dissemination strategies, and project administration structures. Letters of intent are not required. All applications are due by 5:00 PM local time on standard NIH dates, with the first due date being October 16, 2024. Scientific merit reviews will generally occur four months after application receipt, with projects expected to begin approximately four months after peer review. The final expiration date for this NOFO is March 10, 2026. Key contacts for technical or submission questions include Dr. Stephanie R. Pitts for scientific inquiries and Brian Campbell for financial/grants management concerns. This funding opportunity does not require cost sharing, though institutions are encouraged to show resource commitment in their budget justifications to support the feasibility and sustainability of their proposed research.