Research to Advance the Science of Primary Care (R01)

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), operating within the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, is dedicated to producing evidence that enhances the safety, quality, accessibility, equity, and affordability of healthcare. AHRQ works closely with other agencies and stakeholders to ensure that evidence is implemented effectively across the healthcare system. This funding opportunity, titled “Research to Advance the Science of Primary Care (R01),” aligns with AHRQ's strategic focus on strengthening primary care by supporting rigorous, innovative research that informs and transforms its delivery. This Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) supports projects aimed at understanding and improving the value, quality, and effectiveness of primary care, especially in promoting patient-centered, whole-person care. The research must be grounded in real-world challenges in primary care—such as workforce shortages, systemic inequities, fragmentation of services, and the needs of a complex and aging population. The funding will back research addressing topics like care coordination, continuity, comprehensiveness, and trust in patient-provider relationships, as well as the impact of digital health tools, new care models, and policy changes. Applicants are expected to pursue projects that can generate actionable evidence on key issues in primary care delivery, including social determinants of health, behavioral health integration, time pressures on clinicians, and mechanisms for improving clinician well-being and retention. AHRQ is particularly interested in proposals leveraging practice-based research networks (PBRNs), engaging community stakeholders, and involving end users such as health systems and policymakers. These projects may examine care across the life span—from pediatric to geriatric care—and are strongly encouraged to address disparities and promote health equity. The funding ceiling is $500,000 per year and $2.5 million over a maximum five-year project period. Applications requesting more than these limits will not be reviewed. Although cost sharing is not required, institutional support is encouraged. Applicants may include higher education institutions, local and state governments, nonprofits, tribal entities, and certain federal organizations. For-profit and foreign institutions are not eligible to apply as the lead but may participate as subawardees. The submission process is managed via Grants.gov or the NIH ASSIST system. Standard due dates apply, with the first submission deadline on June 5, 2024, and applications reviewed approximately four months after submission. Projects must comply with AHRQ's data management and public access policies and should clearly demonstrate how results will be disseminated and implemented to improve care. Projects involving human subjects must comply with IRB policies, including the use of single IRB when applicable. Scientific review will assess significance, innovation, approach, and responsiveness to AHRQ priorities. Applications must clearly articulate relevance to the agency’s mission and demonstrate potential for real-world impact. Contact points include Aimee R. Eden, PhD, MPH, for scientific inquiries, and Brian Campbell for grants management. The program remains open until March 6, 2026, unless otherwise updated. This funding opportunity does not require a letter of intent, and AIDS-related due dates are not applicable.