Using Innovative Digital Healthcare Solutions to Improve Quality at the Point of Care (R21/R33 - Clinical Trial Optional) | PA 21 164

Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 21 164

The Agency for Health Care Research and Quality (AHRQ) is offering a discretionary grant opportunity titled "Using Innovative Digital Healthcare Solutions to Improve Quality at the Point of Care (R21/R33 - Clinical Trial Optional)" (Funding Opportunity Number: PA-21-164; CFDA/Assistance Listing: 93.226). The focus of this funding announcement is on research projects that test promising digital healthcare interventions designed to improve the quality of care and the delivery of healthcare services where care actually happens, meaning at the point of care in real-world clinical workflows. In practical terms, applicants are expected to propose and study technology-enabled approaches (for example, digital tools, software-driven interventions, and related healthcare IT solutions) that can measurably strengthen care processes, decision-making, coordination, safety, efficiency, or patient-centeredness during clinical encounters or within frontline care delivery settings.

This opportunity uses the Phased Innovation Award mechanism (R21/R33), which is structured to support projects that need an initial period of development and refinement before scaling into a broader, more robust phase of implementation and evaluation. The R21 phase can provide up to two years of support and is intended for early-stage developmental work, such as adapting a digital intervention for a clinical environment, building or improving key functions, testing feasibility, addressing usability and workflow fit, and generating the early evidence needed to justify expansion. If predefined milestones are met, the project can transition to the R33 phase, which can provide up to three additional years for expanded activities. The R33 phase is generally where applicants would conduct larger-scale testing or more rigorous evaluation in real care settings, examine implementation and sustainability, and produce stronger evidence about effectiveness and impact on healthcare quality at the point of care. Clinical trials are optional under this announcement, so applicants may propose study designs that include a trial, but they are not required to do so as long as the approach appropriately tests the digital intervention and its impact.

A wide range of organizations are eligible to apply. Eligible applicants include state, county, and city or township governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; Native American tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; and nonprofit organizations, including both 501(c)(3) nonprofits and nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (in both cases, other than institutions of higher education). The announcement also highlights additional eligible applicant types, including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions; Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs); Hispanic-serving Institutions; Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs); Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs); faith-based or community-based organizations; eligible federal government agencies; regional organizations; and U.S. territories or possessions. At the same time, it clearly states that non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign institutions) are not eligible to apply, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible.

Key administrative details included in the listing are that the funding instrument is a grant and the funding activity category is health. The original closing date shown for this opportunity is July 17, 2024, and the funding announcement record indicates a creation date of February 9, 2021. The public summary does not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards in the provided fields, so applicants would typically confirm the most current budget guidance, limits, and anticipated award volume in the full funding opportunity announcement and any related notices.

• The Agency for Health Care Research and Quality in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Using Innovative Digital Healthcare Solutions to Improve Quality at the Point of Care (R21/R33 - Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.226.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2021-02-09.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-07-17. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Others.

Apply for PA 21 164

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