Improving Methods Using AI and Machine Learning in Patient-Centered Comparative Effectiveness Research Cycle 2 2026 is sponsored by Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI). This PCORI funding announcement includes a dedicated track for 'Methods to Improve the Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) in Patient-Centered Comparative Effectiveness Research (CER)'.

Improving Methods for Conducting Patient-Centered Comparative Clinical Effectiveness Research PCORI Funding Announcement -- Cycle 2 2026 | PCORI Letters of Intent Under Review Improving Methods for Conducting Patient-Centered Comparative Clinical Effectiveness Research PCORI Funding Announcement -- Cycle 2 2026 Letter of Intent (LOI) Deadline April 28, 2026; 5 pm (ET) With this PCORI Funding Announcement (PFA), PCORI aims to fund studies that address high-priority methodological gaps in patient-centered comparative clinical effectiveness research (CER).

For the Cycle 2 2026 Methods PFA, PCORI has identified the following areas that address important methodological gaps and lead to improvements in the strength and quality of evidence generated by CER studies: Methods To Support the Use of Patient-Centered Measurement in Patient-Centered CER (NEW) Methods To Support the Use of Real-World Data (RWD) in Multi-Site Patient-Centered CER (formerly Methods To Support Data Research Networks) Methods To Improve the Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Machine Learning (ML) in Patient-Centered CER This funding announcement will accept applications with direct costs of up to $750,000 and up to three years in duration.

What’s New for Cycle 2 2026 Introduction of the “Patient-Centered Measurement” programmatic priority, with topics including but not limited to: methods to develop, validate or apply standardized approaches for measuring patient-centered burdens and economic outcomes (PCBEOs); methods for harmonizing, linking, comparing or synthesizing data from different but related measurement instruments used across diverse settings, populations or time points; and methods for improving the measurement and analysis of contextual factors and mediators relevant to patient-centered outcomes.

“Methods Related to Ethical and Human Subjects Protections Issues in Patient-Centered CER” will be retired as a stand-alone programmatic priority and integrated across the other priorities. PCORI maintains a strong programmatic interest in this research area.

New topics added to the “Methods To Support the Use of RWD in Multi-Site Patient-Centered CER” priority, including methods to generate, validate and apply synthetic data based on RWD to support CER, and methods to improve outcome measurement using RWD, including data from digital health technologies.

New topics added to the “Methods To Improve the Use of AI/ML in Patient-Centered CER” priority, including applications of AI/ML to augment or transform research methodologies or processes, and approaches using AI/ML to enhance health communication.

In PCORI-funded research, patients and other research partners are expected to meaningfully contribute their lived experience or professional expertise to advance studies that are patient-centered and are relevant and useful for healthcare decision making.

Applicants must address PCORI’s Foundational Expectations for Partnerships in Research — an evidence-based framework supported by tools and resources to guide effective engagement strategies. View additional details on each of the Foundational Expectations . PCORI encourages all investigators interested in applying to please contact PCORI at pfa@pcori.

org to schedule a consultation. Availability of CER Datasets at the Patient-Centered Outcomes Data Repository (PCODR) In support of its open science objectives related to data sharing, PCORI has established the Patient-Centered Outcomes Data Repository (PCODR) at the Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR), based at the University of Michigan.

The repository contains a growing number of deidentified datasets from PCORI-funded patient-centered CER studies that applicants may find useful for the conduct of their proposed methodological research (e.g., for use cases). Use of these datasets is encouraged but not required . Please note that PCORI deciding to fund a Methods award is separate from a decision to grant access to PCODR data.

Researchers seeking access to data from PCORI-funded studies must complete and submit a data request form through PCODR. The repository will independently review requests for data based on qualifications of the data requestors and the scientific merit of the request.

Research Project Agenda Topic Themes Addressing these Topic Themes in a Methods proposal is encouraged but not required ; addressing one of the four program priorities listed above remains required for a proposal to be considered responsive.

Application Deferral Policy This policy allows applicants who have submitted a Letter of Intent (LOI) and are invited to submit a full application to defer their application submission once to the immediate next PFA cycle. This request may cross cycle years, if applicable. For questions regarding the Cycle 2 2026 Methods funding announcement, please reach out to pfa@pcori.

org . Is Your CER Study Responsive to PCORI’s Funding Announcements?

What You Need To Know To Apply Foundational Expectations for Partnerships in Research PCORI’s Portfolio of Funded Research Population Insights Reports Powered by PCORnet ® Download Full Announcement Letter of Intent Deadline April 28, 2026, 5 pm (ET) Letter of Intent Status Notification April 2027 (Subject to Change) To Apply for This Opportunity Read the full funding announcement Submit a Letter of Intent Submit an application (if invited) Methods Submission Instructions Methods Submission Checklist Required Templates for Submitting an Application for the Methods PFA Budget Justification Template Methodology Standards Checklist Scientific PI & Key Personnel Template Patient/Stakeholder Partner Template Project/Performance Site(s) and Resources Template Subcontractor Detailed Budget Template Dual-PI Leadership Plan Template (if proposed project is dual-PI) If You Are Resubmitting Your Application Resubmission Letter Template Additional Applicant Resources Letters of Intent Under Review