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

Small Research Projects to Advance the Science of Primary Care (R03) is sponsored by Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). This program supports small, discrete health services research projects that can be carried out in a short period of time with limited resources.

Expired PA-23-115: AHRQ Small Research Projects to Advance the Science of Primary Care (R03) This notice has expired. For NIH, in limited situations, applications may be accepted on a case-by-case basis for a short period after expiration to accommodate NIH late or continuous submission policies . Contact the eRA Service Desk for any submission issues.

Check the NIH Guide for active opportunities and notices. Department of Health and Human Services Part 1. Overview Information Participating Organization(s) Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality ( AHRQ ) NOTE: The policies, guidelines, terms, and conditions stated in this announcement may differ from those used by the NIH.

Where this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) provides specific written guidance that may differ from the general guidance provided in the grant application form, please follow the instructions given in this NOFO. Also note that AHRQ may have different page limits than NIH for the application Research Strategy, which can be found within each individual NOFO.

of Participating Organizations Funding Opportunity Title AHRQ Small Research Projects to Advance the Science of Primary Care (R03) March 6, 2026 - Notice of Early Expiration PA-23-115-- AHRQ Small Research Projects to Advance the Science of Primary Care (R03). See Notice NOT-HS-26-002 March 31, 2025 - This funding opportunity was updated to align with agency priorities.

Carefully reread the full funding opportunity and make any needed adjustments to your application prior to submission. April 04, 2024 - Overview of Grant Application and Review Changes for Due Dates on or after January 25, 2025. See Notice NOT-OD-24-084 March 29, 2024 - Research to Advance the Science of Primary Care (R01).

See Notice PA-24-205 March 15, 2024 - Notice of Intent to Publish a Funding Opportunity Announcement for Research to Advance the Science of Primary Care (R01). See Notice NOT-HS-24-010 New NIH "FORMS-H" Grant Application Forms and Instructions Coming for Due Dates on or after January 25, 2023 - AHRQ Announces Change in Grant Recipient Purchasing of Identifiable CMS Data, effective FY2019 .

- AHRQ Policy Guidance Regarding Inflationary Increases (aka, cost-of-living adjustments, or COLAs) beginning in Fiscal Year 2017. Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) Number Companion Funding Opportunity Additional Information on Eligibility .

Assistance Listing Number(s) Funding Opportunity Purpose The AHRQ Small Research Grant Program supports small research projects that can be carried out in a short period of time with limited resources.

This program supports different types of projects including pilot and feasibility studies; secondary analysis of existing data; small, self-contained research projects; development of research methodology; and development of new research technology.

This NOFO aims to support small research projects that advance the understanding of the role and capacity of primary care to increase the value and quality of care and improve patient outcomes and population health by delivering person-centered care.

Open Date (Earliest Submission Date) Letter of Intent Due Date(s) 30 days prior to the application due date June 16, 2023 or Standard All applications are due by 5:00 PM local time of Applicants are encouraged to apply early to allow adequate time to make any corrections to errors found in the application during the submission process by the due date. AIDS Application Due Date(s) Generally, four months after receipt date.

Generally, four months after the peer review date New Date March 6, 2026 per issuance of NOT-HS-26-002 . (Original Expiration Date: March 19, 2027 ) It is critical that applicants follow the Research (R) Instructions (R&R) Application Guide , except where instructed to do otherwise (in this NOFO or in a Notice from the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts ).

Conformance to all requirements (both in the Application Guide and the NOFO) is required and strictly enforced. Applicants must read and follow all application instructions in the Application Guide as well as any program-specific instructions noted in Section IV and follow the AHRQ Grants Policy and Guidance found on the AHRQ website at http://www. ahrq.

gov/funding/policies/nofoguidance/index. html . Applicants who propose the use of identifiable CMS data are advised to review NOT-HS-19-007 ( https://grants.

nih. gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-HS-19-007. html ) for important changes to how applicants are to budget for the cost of this program-specific instructions deviate from those in the Application Guide, follow the program-specific instructions .

Applications that do not comply with these instructions may be delayed or not accepted for review. Part 1. Overview Information Part 2.

Full Text of the Announcement I. Funding Opportunity Description Section II. Award Information Section III.

Eligibility Information Section IV. Application and Submission Section V. Application Review Information Section VI.

Award Administration Information Section VII. Agency Contacts Section VIII. Other Information Full Text of Announcement Section I.

Funding Opportunity Small Research Grant (R03) NOFO will support discrete primary care-focused health services research projects designed to advance the science of primary care. The research strategy proposed by applicants must be related to the mission and research interests of AHRQ and its National Center for Excellence in Primary Care Research (NCEPCR), detailed below.

The AHRQ mission is to produce evidence to make health care safer, higher quality, more accessible, equitable and affordable, and to work with HHS and other partners to make sure that the evidence is understood and used. Revitalizing the Nation’s primary care system is critical to achieving AHRQ’s mission.

AHRQ defines primary care as: The provision of whole-person, integrated, accessible, and equitable health care by interprofessional teams who are accountable for addressing the majority of an individual’s health and wellness needs across settings and through sustained relationships with patients, families, and communities.

AHRQ’s statutory authorization provides that it shall serve as the principal source of funding for primary care practice research within HHS. 42 U.S.C. 299b-4(b)(1).

AHRQ funds and disseminates research on primary care systems and innovations, including the nature of primary care as the usual source for addressing personal health care needs, the management of commonly occurring and undifferentiated clinical problems, and the continuity and coordination of health services AHRQ has made significant investments in research to understand how to improve primary care including investing in primary care training and practice-based research networks, integrating behavioral health and primary care, and evaluating the patient-centered medical home and the costs of primary care transformation.

AHRQ’s continued dedication to advancing the field of primary care research includes the expansion of the capacity of the NCEPCR, the home for primary care research at AHRQ, to promote primary care The overarching objective of this funding opportunity is to advance understanding of the role and capacity of primary care to increase the value and quality of care and improve patient outcomes and population health by delivering person-centered care.

Within AHRQ’s mission, the primary care-specific priority areas of focus are: 1. Research to improve primary care, including regarding quality, access and affordability, the workforce, care delivery models, financing, digital healthcare, person-centeredness, and health equity. 2.

Harnessing data and technology to conduct research on characteristics of primary care that may influence patient outcomes, such as whole person care, care coordination, continuity of care, and comprehensiveness 3.

Research on management of clinical areas unique to primary care, such as multiple chronic conditions, preventive care, undifferentiated syndromes, quality improvement, or behavioral and mental healthcare that is integrated within primary care. AHRQ is interested in applications that will address salient questions related to primary care health services research.

Robust primary care (including the elements of access, coordination, comprehensiveness, and continuity) is particularly important for patients with multiple chronic conditions (MCC), a burgeoning problem with an expanding older population, whose higher risks for severe disease compound the existing burdens of their underlying conditions.

Similarly, access to high quality primary care for socially disadvantaged populations is critically important in advancing health equity. AHRQ is thus particularly interested applications that target the specific needs and challenges of disadvantaged populations and people living with MCC, and that improve their access, quality, and outcomes of care.

Specific Areas of Research Interest: Sample primary care research domains relevant to this notice include, but are not limited to: Coordination of care across settings and providers, with attention to healthcare disparities and patients with multiple chronic Person-centered, whole person healthcare delivery that addresses social determinants of health.

Primary care workforce issues, including approaches to support, develop, retain, and grow this workforce and further understanding and improvement of burnout, moral injury, and well-being. External supports, composition, and configurations of primary care teams and their effect on the effectiveness, efficiency and experience of care and health outcomes.

The impact of financing models on the ability of primary care to Community-based and public health partnerships. Organization of primary care within health care systems and public health, and its impact on performance. Behavioral health integration within primary care.

The role of primary care in response to pandemics, natural and man-made disasters, climate change, other national health emergencies. Meaningful quality measures applicable to the primary care Measurement of key aspects of primary care, such as comprehensiveness or team performance .

The use of digital healthcare (including electronic health records, clinical decision support tools, telehealth, etc.) to improve the delivery of high-quality primary care. Any other significant issues or challenges primary care practices face and innovative solutions targeting them Overall, AHRQ is interested in research that provides evidence about how to improve the delivery of primary care.

Proposed studies may focus on the patient, clinician, practice, or system level. Applicants are encouraged to partner with primary care practices using innovative approaches and evaluation with patients and communities. AHRQ is interested in evidence generation from practice-based data, rapid cycle evaluation, qualitative and mixed methods, and adaptive designs.

AHRQ also encourages projects that produce and disseminate timely insights that can be used to improve patient care and inform healthcare delivery. In this NOFO, AHRQ is particularly interested in applications that leverage the infrastructure, expertise, and relationships of primary care practice-based research networks (PBRNs).

AHRQ defines a PBRN as a group of ambulatory practices devoted principally to the primary care of patients and affiliated in their mission to investigate questions related to primary AHRQ encourages the inclusion of health equity in applications responding to this NOFO.

Applicants are strongly encouraged to address primary care research issues critical to AHRQ priority populations, as defined in Recipients of awards under this NOFO must provide annual and final reports of performance in achieving the NOFO objective to advance the science of primary care (see section VI. 3. Reporting).

VIII. Other Information for award authorities and regulations. Grant: A support mechanism providing money, property, or both to an eligible entity to carry out an approved project or activity.

Application Types Allowed Glossary and the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide provide details on these application types. Only those application types listed here are allowed Optional: Accepting applications that either propose or do not propose clinical trial(s) help determining whether you are doing a clinical trial?

Funds Available and Anticipated Number of Awards The number of awards is contingent upon AHRQ appropriations and the submission of a sufficient number of meritorious Future year funding is contingent upon the availability of funds for each year of support. Because the nature and scope of the proposed research will vary from application to application, it is anticipated that the size and duration of each award will also vary.

Application budgets are limited to $100,000 total costs (including direct and indirect costs) for the entire project period, regardless of the length of the proposed project period. An application with a budget that exceeds $100,000 total costs for the entire project period will not be reviewed.

Funds may be used only for those expenses that are directly related and necessary to the project and must be expended in compliance with applicable Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for HHS Awards (45 CFR Part 75) and the HHS Grants The project period may not exceed 2 years. These projects are being funded pursuant to 42 U.S.C.

299a, which provides that AHRQ shall conduct and support research, support demonstration projects, and disseminate information on health care and on systems for the delivery of such care, including activities with respect to the quality, effectiveness, efficiency, appropriateness, and value of health care All applications submitted and AHRQ grants made in response to this NOFO are subject to 45 CFR Part 75 (Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles and Audit Requirements for HHS Awards; https://www.

ecfr. gov/cgi-bin/text-idx? node=pt45.

1. 75) , the HHS Grants Policy Statement (see https://www. ahrq.

gov/funding/policies/hhspolicy/index. html ), and the terms and conditions set forth in the Notice of Award.

Higher Education Institutions Public/State Controlled Institutions of Higher Education Private Institutions of Higher Education The following types of Higher Education Institutions are always encouraged to apply for AHRQ support as Public or Private Institutions of Higher Education: Hispanic-serving Institutions Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs) Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions Nonprofits Other Than Institutions of Higher Education Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) IRS Status (Other than Institutions of Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) IRS Status (Other than Institutions City or Township Governments Special District Governments Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (Federally Recognized) Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (Other than Federally Eligible Agencies of the Federal Government U.S. Territory or Possession Independent School Districts Public Housing Authorities/Indian Housing Authorities Native American Tribal Organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) Faith-based or Community-based Organizations AHRQ's authorizing legislation does not allow for-profit organizations to be eligible to lead applications under this research mechanism.

For-profit organizations may participate in projects as members of consortia or as subcontractors only. Because the purpose of this program is to improve healthcare in the United States, foreign institutions may participate in projects as members of consortia or as subcontractors only. Applications submitted by for-profit organizations or foreign institutions will not be reviewed.

Organizations described in section 501(c) 4 of the Internal Revenue Code that engage in lobbying are not eligible. HHS grants policy requires that the grant recipient perform a substantive role in the conduct of the planned project or program activity and not merely serve as a conduit of funds to another party or parties.

If consortium/contractual activities represent a significant portion of the overall project, the applicant must justify why the applicant organization, rather than the party(s) performing this portion of the overall project, should be the recipient and what substantive role the applicant organization will play.

Justification can be provided in the Specific Aims or Research Strategy section of the PHS398 Research Plan Component sections of the SF424 (R&R) application. There is no budget allocation guideline for determining substantial involvement; determination of substantial involvement is based on a review of the primary project activities for which grant support is provided and the organization(s) that will be performing those activities.

Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Institutions) are Non-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are not eligible Applicant organizations must complete and maintain the following registrations as described in the SF 424 (R&R) Application Guide to be eligible to apply for or receive an award. All registrations must be completed prior to the application being submitted.

Registration can take 6 weeks or more, so applicants should begin the registration process as soon as Award Management (SAM) Applicants must complete and maintain an active registration, which requires renewal at least annually . The renewal process may require as much time as the initial registration.

SAM registration includes the assignment of a Commercial and Government Entity (CAGE) Code for domestic organizations which have not already been assigned a CAGE Code. Commercial and Government Entity (NCAGE) Code Foreign organizations must obtain an NCAGE code (in lieu of a CAGE code) in order to register in SAM. Entity Identifier (UEI)- A UEI is issued as part of the SAM.

gov registration process. The same UEI must be used for all registrations, as well as on the grant application. Commons - Once the unique organization identifier is established, organizations can register with eRA Commons in tandem with completing their Grants.

gov registration; all registrations must be in place by time of submission. eRA Commons requires organizations to identify at least one Signing Official (SO) and at least one Program Director/Principal Investigator (PD/PI) account in order to submit an application. Applicants must have an active SAM registration in order to complete the Directors/Principal Investigators (PD(s)/PI(s)) All PD(s)/PI(s) must have an eRA Commons account.

PD(s)/PI(s) should work with their organizational officials to either create a new account or to affiliate their existing account with the applicant organization in eRA Commons. If the PD/PI is also the organizational Signing Official, they must have two distinct eRA Commons accounts, one for each role. Obtaining an eRA Commons account can take up to 2 weeks.

Eligible Individuals (Program Director/Principal Any individual(s) with the skills, knowledge, and resources necessary to carry out the proposed research as the Program Director(s)/Principal Investigator(s) (PD(s)/PI(s)) is invited to work with his/her organization to develop an application for support.

For institutions/organizations proposing multiple PDs/PIs, visit the Multiple Program Director/Principal Investigator Policy and submission details in the Senior/Key Person Profile (Expanded) Component of the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide. The AHRQ multiple PDs/PIs policy can be found at https://grants. nih.

gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-HS-16-018. html . This NOFO does not require cost sharing.

While there is no cost sharing requirement included in this NOFO, AHRQ welcomes applicant institutions, including any collaborating institutions, to devote resources to this effort. An indication of institutional support from the applicant and its collaborators indicates a greater potential of success and sustainability of the project.

Examples of institutional support include: donated equipment and space, institutional funded staff time and effort, or other resource investments. Applicant institutions should indicate institutional support by outlining the specific contributions to the project and providing assurances that their organization and any collaborators are committed to providing these funds and resources to the project.

This information can be included at the end of the budget justification section of the application, but institutional support dollars are not to be shown/included in the detailed budget request 3. Additional Information on Eligibility Applicant organizations may submit more than one application, provided that each application is scientifically distinct.

The AHRQ will not accept duplicate or highly overlapping applications under review at the same time. This means that the AHRQ will not A new (A0) application that is submitted before issuance of the summary statement from the review of an overlapping new (A0) or resubmission A resubmission (A1) application that is submitted before issuance of the summary statement from the review of the previous new (A0) application. Section IV.

Application and Submission Information The application forms package specific to this opportunity must be accessed through ASSIST, Grants. gov Workspace or an institutional system-to-system solution. Links to apply using ASSIST or Grants.

gov Workspace are available in Part 1 of this NOFO. See your administrative office for instructions if you plan to use an institutional system-to-system solution. 2.

Content and Form of Application Submission It is critical that applicants follow the Research (R) Instructions (R&R) Application Guide , except where instructed in this funding opportunity announcement to do otherwise. Conformance to the requirements in the Application Guide is required and strictly enforced.

Applications that are out of compliance with these instructions may be delayed or not accepted for Although a letter of intent is not required, is not binding, and does not enter into the review of a subsequent application, the information that it contains allows IC staff to estimate the potential review workload and By the date listed in Part 1.

Overview Information , prospective applicants are asked to submit a letter of intent that includes the following information: Descriptive title of proposed activity Name(s), address(es), and telephone number(s) of the PD(s)/PI(s) Names of other key personnel Participating institution(s) Number and title of this funding opportunity The letter of intent should be sent to: All page limitations described in the SF424 Application Page Limits must be followed.

Instructions for Application Submission The following section supplements the instructions found in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide and should be used for preparing an application to this NOFO. Note: Effective for due dates on or after January 25, 2023, the Data Management and Sharing Plan will be attached in the Other Plan(s) attachment in FORMS-H application forms packages.

For due dates on or before January 24, 2023, the Data Sharing Plan and Genomic Data Sharing Plan GDS) will continue to be attached in the Resource Sharing Plan attachment in FORMS-G application forms packages. Note: Effective for due dates on or after January 25, 2023, the Data Management and Sharing Plan will be attached in the Other Plan(s) attachment in FORMS-H application forms packages.

All instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide SF424(R&R) Project/Performance Site Locations All instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide SF424(R&R) Other Project Information All instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide SF424(R&R) Senior/Key Person Profile All instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide All instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide Budget Component: Special Instructions for AHRQ applications is not using the Modular Grant Application and Award Process.

Applicants applying for funding from AHRQ are to ignore application instructions concerning the Modular Grant Application and Award Process, and prepare applications using instructions for the Research and Related Budget Components of the SF 424 (R&R).

Applications submitted in the Modular format will not All instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide PHS 398 Cover Page Supplement All instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide All instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide must be followed, with the following additional instructions: Note: Effective for due dates on or after January 25, 2023, the Data Management and Sharing Plan will be attached in the Other Plan(s) attachment in FORMS-H application forms packages.

For due dates on or before January 24, 2023, the Data Sharing Plan and Genomic Data Sharing Plan (GDS) will continue to be attached in the Resource Sharing Plan attachment in FORMS-G application forms packages.

Individuals are required to comply with the instructions for the Resource Sharing Plans as provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide, with the following modification: All applications, regardless of the amount of direct costs requested for any one year, should address a Data Sharing Plan. Generally, Resource Sharing Plans are expected, but they are not applicable for this NOFO. Only limited Appendix materials are allowed.

Follow all instructions for the Appendix as described in the SF424 (R&R) Application PHS Human Subjects and Clinical Trials Information When involving human subjects research, clinical research, and/or clinical trials (and when applicable, clinical trials research experience) follow all instructions for the PHS Human Subjects and Clinical Trials Information form in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide, with the following additional instructions: If you answered Yes to the question Are Human Subjects Involved?

on the R&R Other Project Information form, you must include at least one human subjects study record using the Study Record: PHS Human Subjects and Clinical Trials Information form or Delayed Record: PHS Human Subjects and Clinical Trials Information All instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide onset does NOT apply to a study that can be described but will not start immediately (i.e., delayed start).

All instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide must be followed For details regarding IRB approval, applicants may refer to the "AHRQ Revised Policy for Institutional Review Board (IRB) Review of Human Subjects Protocols in Grant Applications" ( https://grants. nih. gov/grants/guide/notice-files/not-hs-00-003.

html ). Applicant should also be aware of the AHRQ policy for use of single IRB for cooperative research, 45 CFR 46. 114 (b) https://grants.

nih. gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-HS-20-005. html .

PHS Assignment Request Form All instructions in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide 3. Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) and System for Award Management (SAM) See Part 1. Section III.

1 for information regarding the requirement for obtaining a unique entity identifier (UEI) and for completing and maintaining active registrations in System for Award Management (SAM), NATO Commercial and Government Entity (NCAGE) Code (if applicable), eRA Commons, and Part I. Overview Information contains information about Key Dates and times.

Applicants are encouraged to submit applications before the due date to ensure they have time to make any application corrections that might be necessary for successful submission. When a submission date falls on a weekend or Federal holiday , the application deadline is automatically extended to the next Organizations must submit applications to Grants. gov (the online portal to find and apply for grants across all Federal agencies).

Applicants must then complete the submission process by tracking the status of the application in the eRA Commons , NIH’s electronic system for grants administration. AHRQ and Grants. gov systems check the application against many of the application instructions upon submission.

Errors must be corrected and a changed/corrected application must be submitted to Grants. gov on or before the application due date and time. If a Changed/Corrected application is submitted after the deadline, the application will be considered late.

are responsible for viewing their application before the due date in the eRA Commons to ensure accurate and successful submission. Information on the submission process and a definition of on-time submission are provided in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.

This initiative is not subject to intergovernmental For efficient grant administration, AHRQ grant administration procedures will be used and conducted in accordance with the terms and conditions, cost principles, and other considerations described in the HHS Grants Policy Statement. The HHS Grants Policy Statement can be found at http://www. hhs.

gov/sites/default/files/grants/grants/policies-regulations/hhsgps107. pdf . Pre-award costs are allowable.

A recipient may, at its own risk and without AHRQ prior approval, incur obligations and expenditures to cover costs up to 90 days before the beginning date of the initial budget period of a new award if such costs are necessary to conduct the project and would be allowable under the grant, if awarded, without AHRQ prior approval.

If specific expenditures would otherwise require prior approval, the recipient must obtain AHRQ approval before incurring the cost. AHRQ prior approval is required for any costs to be incurred more than 90 days before the beginning date of the initial budget period of a new award.

The incurrence of pre-award costs in anticipation of a competing or non-competing award imposes no obligation on AHRQ either to make the award or to increase the amount of the approved budget if an award is made for less than the amount anticipated and is inadequate to cover the pre-award costs incurred.

AHRQ expects the recipient to be fully aware that pre-award costs result in borrowing against future support and that such borrowing must not impair the recipient's ability to accomplish the project objectives in the approved time frame or in any way adversely affect the conduct of the project. 7.

Other Submission Requirements and Information Applications must be submitted electronically following the instructions described in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide. Paper applications will not be accepted. Applicants must complete all required registrations before the application due date.

Section III. Eligibility Information contains information about registration. For assistance with your electronic application or for more information on the electronic submission Apply Application Guide .

If you encounter a system issue beyond your control that threatens your ability to complete the submission process on-time, you must follow the Dealing with System Issues guidance. For assistance with application submission, contact the Application Submission Contacts in Section VII . All PD(s)/PI(s) must include their eRA Commons ID in the Credential field of the Senior/Key Person Profile form .

Failure to register in the Commons and to include a valid PD/PI Commons ID in the credential field will prevent the successful submission of an electronic application to AHRQ. See Section III of this NOFO for information on registration requirements.

Please note that for applications with due dates of January 25, 2022, and after, all individuals listed in the SF424 R&R Senior/Key Person Profile (Expanded) Form will be required to have an eRA Commons username (Commons ID). See NOT-OD-21-109 ( https://grants. nih.

gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-21-109. html ) The applicant organization must ensure that the unique entity identifier provided on the application is the same identifier used in the organization’s profile in the eRA Commons and for the System for Award Management. Additional information may be found in the SF424 (R&R) for avoiding common errors.

Upon receipt, applications will be evaluated for completeness and compliance with application instructions by the Center for Scientific Review and AHRQ. Applications that are incomplete or non-compliant will Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval of human subjects is not required prior to peer review of an application (see https://grants. nih.

gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-HS-00-003. html ). However, initiation of IRB review, if necessary or applicable, is strongly encouraged to assure timely commencement of research.

Although there is no immediate acknowledgement of the receipt of an application, applicants are generally notified of the review and funding assignment within eight (8) weeks. Please be sure that you observe the total cost, project period, and page number limitations specified above for this NOFO. Application processing may be delayed or the application may be rejected if it does not comply with these requirements.

AHRQ is committed to the inclusion of priority populations in health services research.

The overall portfolio of health services research that AHRQ conducts and supports shall include the populations specifically named in AHRQ’s authorizing legislation: inner city; rural; low income; minority; women; children; elderly; and those with special health care needs, including those who have disabilities, need chronic care, or need end-of-life health care. 42 U.S.C. 299(c)(1).

AHRQ also includes in its definition of priority populations those groups identified in Section 2(a) of Executive Order 13985 as members of underserved communities: Black, Latino, and Indigenous and Native American persons, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and other persons of color; members of religious minorities; lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) persons; persons with disabilities; persons who live in rural areas; and persons otherwise adversely affected by persistent AHRQ will broadly implement this inclusion policy across the research that AHRQ supports and conducts so that the portfolio of research is inclusive of all populations.

AHRQ intends that these populations be included in studies such that the research design explicitly allows conduct of valid analyses. The policy applies to all grant applications. Investigators should review the document entitled, AHRQ Policy on the Inclusion of Priority Populations, which is available at https://grants.

nih. gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-HS-21-015. html .