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Funding Opportunity: AHRQ Announces Interest in Health Services Research on Health System and Healthcare Professional Responsiveness to COVID-19

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) released a special emphasis notice (SEN) inviting health services research grant proposals to develop models of care that improve access, quality, and outcomes of care related to COVID-19 and post-acute sequalae from COVID-19 (PASC), also known as long COVID.  AHRQ highlights that providing patient-centered, whole-person oriented care for COVID-19 and PASC remains a challenge as organizations aim to develop strategies for effectively preventing, diagnosing, treating, and managing COVID-19.  In particular, AHRQ notes that these efforts to develop effective strategies are especially important to people with multiple chronic conditions (MCC) whose higher risks for severe disease, mortality, and PASC compound the existing burden of underlying conditions.  AHRQ also highlights the greater impact that COVID-19 has had among socially disadvantaged populations, which has underscored the need for models that address COVID-19 in the context of the whole person.

In this SEN, AHRQ is interested in “applications that develop, implement, and evaluate interventions and models of care, including those targeting the specific needs and challenges of disadvantaged populations and people living with MCC, that improve access, quality, and outcomes of care.  Proposed studies may focus on the patient, clinician, practice, or system level interventions.”  Multilevel interventions are encouraged, as are projects that produce and disseminate insights that can be used to improve patient care and inform healthcare delivery in routine operations and during public health emergencies.  AHRQ additionally encourages applications that:

  • “Develop and test care models and interventions to improve access, quality, and outcomes related to the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and management of COVID-19 and PASC;
  • implement patient-centered, whole-person approaches that address the needs of people with multiple chronic conditions and socially disadvantaged populations in the context of the stressors stemming from the pandemic;
  • improve equity and reduce disparities related to care for COVID-19 and PASC across diverse populations and communities; and
  • advance models that target the intersection, coordination, and transitions between settings, including inpatient, emergency department, primary care, other ambulatory care settings, home care, post-acute care, and public health.”

Furthermore, proposals may address any healthcare delivery related topic with relevance to COVID-19 and PASC, including but not limited to how interventions or models of care:

  • “Improve the Quality of Care and Patient Outcomes;
  • improve Patient Safety;
  • improve Health System Responsiveness;
  • affect Socially Disadvantaged Populations and People with Multiple Chronic Conditions; and
  • incorporate Telehealth and Other Digital Healthcare Innovations, and the Subsequent Outcomes and Unintended Consequences.”

Due Date: The SEN is active until February 14, 2025.  

Proposal Submission Information: AHRQ encourages applicants to submit proposals to this SEN using the standing R18, R03, and R01 (PA-18-793, PA-18-794, PA-18-795) funding mechanisms.

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