Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 12 115
Apply for PAR 12 115
- The Agency for Health Care Research and Quality in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "AHRQ Mentored Career Enhancement Award in Patient Centered Outcomes Research (PCOR) for Mid Career and Senior Investigators (K18)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.226 Research on Healthcare Costs, Quality and Outcomes.
- This funding opportunity was created on Mar 1, 2012 and posted on Mar 1, 2012.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Dec 18, 2014. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $275,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: County governments Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments) Private institutions of higher education Public and State controlled institutions of higher education Others (see text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility for clarification) Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized) State governments City or township governments.
- Other Eligible Applicants include the following Faith based or Community based Organizations Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (Other than Federally Recognized).
[Watch] Creating a grant proposal using the step-by-step wizard inside the applicant portal:
Opportunity Summary:
The AHRQ Mentored Career Enhancement Award in Patient Centered Outcomes Research (PCOR) for Mid Career and Senior Investigators (K18) (Funding Opportunity Number PAR-12-115) is a discretionary federal grant program run by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) to help experienced investigators build or expand expertise in patient-centered outcomes research and comparative effectiveness research methods. The opportunity is rooted in authority created by the Affordable Care Act, specifically Section 6301(b), which added Section 937(e) to the Public Health Service Act. That provision directs AHRQ to establish a training-focused grant program so that researchers can gain skills in comparative effectiveness methods, with the expectation that the training covers, at minimum, methods consistent with the methodological standards adopted by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) under the Social Security Act. In addition, AHRQ’s broader authority to support health services research career development under Section 902(b) of the Public Health Service Act supports the career enhancement emphasis of this award.
In practical terms, this K18 mechanism is designed for mid-career and senior researchers who already have established careers but want structured, mentored development in PCOR-oriented comparative clinical effectiveness research. The emphasis is not simply on funding a standalone research project; it is on targeted training and mentored career enhancement that strengthens an investigator’s ability to design, conduct, and interpret research that compares healthcare interventions in ways that matter to patients and other decision-makers. The focus on PCORI methodological standards signals that applications should align with rigorous, transparent, and stakeholder-relevant approaches to comparative effectiveness, reflecting the national push toward evidence that supports real-world healthcare choices, quality improvement, and outcomes that patients experience.
The award provides grant support with an award ceiling of $275,000, and it does not require cost sharing or matching funds. The funding activity category is health, and it is associated with CFDA number 93.226, Research on Healthcare Costs, Quality and Outcomes, which highlights the program’s connection to health services research and the improvement of value, quality, and outcomes in healthcare delivery.
Eligibility is broad and includes multiple levels of government and a wide range of organizations. Eligible applicants include state governments, county governments, and city or township governments, as well as public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education. The eligible applicant list also includes federally recognized Native American tribal governments and other Native American tribal organizations, and the notice further clarifies that additional eligible applicants may include faith-based or community-based organizations and Indian/Native American tribal governments that are not federally recognized. AHRQ also explicitly encourages applications from minority-serving institutions, reflecting an intent to build capacity and expertise in comparative effectiveness and patient-centered outcomes research within institutions that serve historically underrepresented populations.
Administratively, this opportunity was posted and created on March 1, 2012, with the original and current closing date listed as December 18, 2014, and an archive date of January 18, 2015, meaning it is no longer active but remains an important reference point for understanding AHRQ’s approach to mentored career enhancement in PCOR. The full announcement was hosted through the NIH grants guide system (link provided in the source), and applicants or users who had trouble accessing the announcement were directed to contact the NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) webmaster for technical assistance.
FAQs: AHRQ Mentored Career Enhancement Award in PCOR for Mid Career and Senior Investigators (K18) (PAR-12-115)
What is this grant opportunity?
The AHRQ Mentored Career Enhancement Award in Patient Centered Outcomes Research (PCOR) for Mid Career and Senior Investigators (K18) is a discretionary federal grant program run by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). It is designed to help experienced investigators build or expand expertise in patient-centered outcomes research (PCOR) and comparative effectiveness research methods.
What is the funding opportunity number?
The funding opportunity number is PAR-12-115.
What type of grant mechanism is this?
This opportunity uses the K18 mechanism, which is framed as a mentored career enhancement award for mid-career and senior investigators.
Who is this program intended for?
It is intended for mid-career and senior researchers who already have established careers and want structured, mentored development specifically in PCOR-oriented comparative clinical effectiveness research.
Is this grant primarily for conducting a research project?
No. The emphasis is not simply on funding a standalone research project. The program is focused on targeted training and mentored career enhancement to strengthen an investigator's ability to design, conduct, and interpret comparative effectiveness research that is relevant to patients and other decision-makers.
What skills or focus areas does the award aim to develop?
The award aims to build or expand expertise in patient-centered outcomes research and comparative effectiveness research methods. The goal is to strengthen an investigator's ability to compare healthcare interventions in ways that matter for real-world decisions, quality improvement, and patient-experienced outcomes.
How do PCORI methodological standards relate to this opportunity?
The authorizing language expects that training supported through this program covers, at minimum, methods consistent with the methodological standards adopted by the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) under the Social Security Act. This signals that applications should align with rigorous, transparent, and stakeholder-relevant comparative effectiveness approaches.
What is the maximum award amount?
The award ceiling is $275,000.
Does this opportunity require cost sharing or matching funds?
No. The opportunity does not require cost sharing or matching funds.
What is the funding activity category?
The funding activity category is health.
What CFDA number is associated with this grant?
This opportunity is associated with CFDA 93.226, Research on Healthcare Costs, Quality and Outcomes.
What does the CFDA association suggest about the program's scope?
CFDA 93.226 highlights the program's connection to health services research and the improvement of value, quality, and outcomes in healthcare delivery.
What legal authority supports this program?
The opportunity is rooted in authority created by the Affordable Care Act, specifically Section 6301(b), which added Section 937(e) to the Public Health Service Act. AHRQ's broader authority to support health services research career development under Section 902(b) of the Public Health Service Act also supports the career enhancement emphasis of the award.
What does the Affordable Care Act provision require AHRQ to do?
The provision directs AHRQ to establish a training-focused grant program so that researchers can gain skills in comparative effectiveness methods, with an expectation that the training covers methods consistent with PCORI's methodological standards.
What types of organizations are eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes multiple levels of government and a wide range of organizations, including:
- State governments
- County governments
- City or township governments
- Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education
- Federally recognized Native American tribal governments
- Other Native American tribal organizations
Are faith-based or community-based organizations eligible?
Yes. The notice indicates that additional eligible applicants may include faith-based or community-based organizations.
Can non-federally recognized tribal governments apply?
Yes. The notice clarifies that additional eligible applicants may include Indian/Native American tribal governments that are not federally recognized.
Does AHRQ encourage applications from any specific institution types?
Yes. AHRQ explicitly encourages applications from minority-serving institutions, reflecting an intent to build capacity and expertise in comparative effectiveness and patient-centered outcomes research in institutions serving historically underrepresented populations.
When was this opportunity posted?
The opportunity was posted and created on March 1, 2012.
What was the closing date for applications?
The original and current closing date listed is December 18, 2014.
Is this grant opportunity still active?
No. It is no longer active. The archive date is January 18, 2015.
Where was the full announcement hosted?
The full announcement was hosted through the NIH grants guide system (a link was provided in the source description).
Who should be contacted for technical issues accessing the announcement?
Users who had trouble accessing the announcement were directed to contact the NIH Office of Extramural Research (OER) webmaster for technical assistance.
What is the overall purpose of the K18 PCOR career enhancement emphasis?
In practical terms, the program supports structured, mentored development that strengthens an experienced investigator's ability to design, conduct, and interpret comparative clinical effectiveness research in ways that are patient-centered and useful to other healthcare decision-makers.
Browse more opportunities from the same category: Health
Next opportunity: PPHF 2012 Community Transformation Grants financed solely by 2012 Public Prevention Health Fund
Previous opportunity: Preservation and Access Research and Development Grants
USGrants.org Applicant Portal:
Are you interested in learning about about how to apply for this government funding opportunity? You can create a free applicant account and receive instant access to our applicant portal that many business owners like you have benefited from.
Apply for PAR 12 115
[Watch] how do funding administrators access proposals?
Applicants also applied for:
Applicants who have applied for this opportunity (PAR 12 115) also looked into and applied for these:
| Funding Opportunity |
|---|
| PPHF 2012 Community Transformation Grants financed solely by 2012 Public Prevention Health Fund Apply for CDC RFA DP11 1103PPHF1102CONT12 Funding Number: CDC RFA DP11 1103PPHF1102CONT12 Agency: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Research Networks for Macromolecular Interactions in Cells (U54) Apply for RFA GM 13 005 Funding Number: RFA GM 13 005 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $500,000 |
| Collaborations for Macromolecular Interactions in Cells (R01) Apply for RFA GM 13 004 Funding Number: RFA GM 13 004 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $250,000 |
| Paul Coverdell National Acute Stroke Program Apply for CDC RFA DP12 1203 Funding Number: CDC RFA DP12 1203 Agency: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Category: Health Funding Amount: $600,000 |
| Harnessing Advanced Health Technologies to Drive Mental Health Improvement (R01) Apply for RFA MH 13 060 Funding Number: RFA MH 13 060 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Harnessing Advanced Health Technologies to Drive Mental Health Improvement (R34) Apply for RFA MH 13 061 Funding Number: RFA MH 13 061 Agency: National Institutes of Health Category: Health Funding Amount: $225,000 |
| Hospital Preparedness Program (HPP) and Public Health Emergency Preparedness (PHEP) Cooperative Agreements Apply for CDC RFA TP12 1201 Funding Number: CDC RFA TP12 1201 Agency: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Developing Integrated Maternal and Child Health Information Systems Promoting the Use of Health Information Technology Apply for HRSA 12 147 Funding Number: HRSA 12 147 Agency: Health Resources and Services Administration Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| State and Regional Primary Care Association (PCA) Cooperative Agreements Apply for HRSA 12 114 Funding Number: HRSA 12 114 Agency: Health Resources and Services Administration Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Capacity Building Assistance to Improve Health in Tribal Populations Apply for CDC RFA OT12 1201 Funding Number: CDC RFA OT12 1201 Agency: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Category: Health Funding Amount: $300,000 |
| HIT Capacity Building Initiative for Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program providers Apply for HRSA 12 094 Funding Number: HRSA 12 094 Agency: Health Resources and Services Administration Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Strengthening Human Resources for Health through Increased Capacity of the Ethiopian Medical Association in the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia under the Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) Apply for CDC RFA GH12 1217 Funding Number: CDC RFA GH12 1217 Agency: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Category: Health Funding Amount: $350,000 |
| Increasing the Supply of Safe Blood for Transfusions in the United Republic of Tanzania and Zanzibar through Blood Collection, Donor Mobilization, and Technical Assistance under the Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) Apply for CDC RFA GH12 1235 Funding Number: CDC RFA GH12 1235 Agency: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Category: Health Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| Expanding Comprehensive HIV Prevention Programs for People Who Inject Drugs and People Who Use Drugs in the United Republic of Tanzania under the Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR Apply for CDC RFA GH12 1238 Funding Number: CDC RFA GH12 1238 Agency: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Category: Health Funding Amount: $1,500,000 |
| Strengthening Civil Society Organizations to support vulnerable populations in Rwanda Apply for APS 696 12 00001 Funding Number: APS 696 12 00001 Agency: Rwanda USAID Kigali Category: Health Funding Amount: $4,500,000 |
| Drug Free Communities Mentoring Program Apply for SP 12 002 Funding Number: SP 12 002 Agency: Substance Abuse Mental Health Services Adminis. Category: Health Funding Amount: $75,000 |
| MCH Pediatric Research Network Program Apply for HRSA 12 019 Funding Number: HRSA 12 019 Agency: Health Resources and Services Administration Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Nurse Faculty Loan Program (NFLP) Apply for HRSA 12 064 Funding Number: HRSA 12 064 Agency: Health Resources and Services Administration Category: Health Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
| Strengthening the quality and scope of undergraduate and postgraduate medical and public health training programs at the University of Zambia, School of Medicine in the Republic of Zambia under the Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR Apply for CDC RFA GH12 1241 Funding Number: CDC RFA GH12 1241 Agency: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Category: Health Funding Amount: $2,000,000 |
| Building a Medical Home for Multiply Diagnosed HIV positive Homeless Populations Demonstration Sites Apply for HRSA 12 100 Funding Number: HRSA 12 100 Agency: Health Resources and Services Administration Category: Health Funding Amount: $300,000 |
Grant application guides and resources
It is always free to apply for government grants. However the process may be very complex depending on the funding opportunity you are applying for. Let us help you!
Apply for Grants

Premium leads for funding administrators, grant writers, and loan issuers
Thousands of people visit our website for their funding needs every day. When a user creates a grant proposal and files for submission, we pass the information on to funding administrators, grant writers, and government loan issuers.
If you manage government grant programs, provide grant writing services, or issue personal or government loans, we can help you reach your audience.
Subscribe to Leads
Request more information:
Would you like to learn more about this funding opportunity, similar opportunities to "PAR 12 115", eligibility, application service, and/or application tips? Submit an inquiry below:
Don't forget to subscribe to our grant alerts mailing list to receive weekly alerts on new and updated grant funding opportunities like this one in your email.
