AHRQ Small Research Projects to Advance the Science of Primary Care (R03)

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, supports research that improves the quality, safety, efficiency, and effectiveness of healthcare. As the leading funder for primary care research within the federal government, AHRQ advances innovations that foster accessible, person-centered healthcare. This grant opportunity titled "AHRQ Small Research Projects to Advance the Science of Primary Care (R03)" is an initiative designed to fund small-scale, time-limited research endeavors that align with the agency's mission and the objectives of its National Center for Excellence in Primary Care Research (NCEPCR). The purpose of this opportunity is to encourage research that improves the value and quality of primary care delivery and enhances patient outcomes and population health. The scope is intentionally broad, encompassing various dimensions of primary care such as quality improvement, access and affordability, workforce development, care delivery models, and digital health integration. Proposed studies should contribute to the evidence base on how to strengthen primary care as a system, especially in support of underserved and priority populations, such as individuals with multiple chronic conditions (MCC) and those facing socioeconomic or health disparities. Eligible projects include pilot and feasibility studies, secondary data analyses, development of new research methods or technologies, and other small-scale, self-contained studies. Applicants may propose clinical trials but are not required to. All projects must be feasible within the two-year project period and with total costs not exceeding $100,000. Funds may only be used for direct project-related expenses and must follow HHS Uniform Administrative Requirements. Cost sharing is not required, though institutional support is welcomed and can be described in the application. Eligible applicants include a wide range of U.S.-based institutions, such as public and private institutions of higher education, nonprofits, state and local governments, federally and non-federally recognized tribal entities, and certain other public organizations. For-profit entities and foreign organizations may not apply as primary recipients but may be included as subcontractors. All applications must be submitted via Grants.gov or NIH ASSIST systems, and applicants must complete all necessary registrations (SAM, Grants.gov, eRA Commons) in advance. Applications are accepted on standard NIH due dates, with June 16, 2023, as a key example. While the NOFO was originally set to expire in 2027, it was terminated early on March 6, 2026, per Notice NOT-HS-26-002. Review and award timelines typically occur within eight months of application submission, including peer review approximately four months after receipt. Letters of intent are strongly encouraged but not required and should be submitted 30 days before the chosen application due date. The expected project start date is generally four months after peer review. Evaluation criteria include significance, innovation, approach, investigator qualifications, and alignment with AHRQ mission priorities. Applications should emphasize relevance to underserved populations, human subjects protections, and data management/sharing plans. Contact details for scientific and administrative questions are provided, with Aimee R. Eden, PhD, MPH serving as the primary scientific contact. All applicants must comply with federal policies related to civil rights, research integrity, and data confidentiality.