Improving Methods for Conducting Patient-Centered Comparative Clinical Effectiveness Research (Methods) PFA — Cycle 3 2026

About this program

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) will issue a Methods PFA (Cycle 3 2026) to fund studies that address high-impact methodological gaps in patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research (CER), prioritizing patient-centered measurement, the use of real-world data in multi-site CER, AI/ML methods, and study design improvements. Applications may request up to $750,000 in direct costs for projects up to three years (total program funds up to $12M) to develop methods that improve the strength and relevance of CER evidence. Applicants must demonstrate meaningful engagement of patients and other stakeholders in accordance with PCORI’s Foundational Expectations for Partnerships in Research; use of PCORI’s PCODR datasets is encouraged but not required. A Letter of Intent is due Sept 8, 2026 and full applications are due Jan 12, 2027; prospective applicants may request consultation via pfa@pcori.org.