Using Innovative Digital Healthcare Solutions to Improve Quality at the Point of Care (R21/R33 - Clinical Trial Optional) | PA 24 266

Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 24 266

The Agency for Health Care Research and Quality (AHRQ) is soliciting grant applications under the funding opportunity titled "Using Innovative Digital Healthcare Solutions to Improve Quality at the Point of Care (R21/R33 - Clinical Trial Optional)" (Funding Opportunity Number: PA-24-266; CFDA: 93.226). The main purpose is to support research that tests promising digital healthcare interventions that are used directly at the point of care and that are designed to improve the quality of healthcare service delivery. In practical terms, AHRQ is looking for projects that evaluate digital tools used during care delivery (for example, within clinics, hospitals, or other care settings where clinicians and patients interact) and that can produce measurable improvements in how care is delivered, not just how data are stored or billed.

A key feature of this opportunity is the use of the Phased Innovation Award mechanism (R21/R33). This structure is meant for projects that need an initial period to develop, refine, or demonstrate feasibility before moving into a larger, more rigorous, or more expansive stage of testing and implementation. The first phase, the R21, can provide up to 2 years of support focused on early, developmental activities. These early activities commonly include activities like building or adapting the digital intervention for a real-world clinical workflow, piloting it in a limited setting, establishing feasibility and usability, preparing implementation supports, and generating preliminary evidence that the approach is workable and likely to improve quality. If the project meets predetermined milestones and demonstrates readiness to scale or broaden the effort, it can transition into the second phase, the R33, which can provide up to 3 additional years of support for expanded activities. The expanded R33 stage is generally where applicants would test the intervention in a broader set of sites, evaluate effectiveness with stronger study designs, and assess outcomes related to quality of care and service delivery. The "clinical trial optional" designation means applicants may propose studies that do or do not meet the definition of a clinical trial, depending on the research aims and design, as long as the work aligns with the NOFO's focus on improving quality at the point of care through digital solutions.

Eligibility is broad and includes a wide range of U.S.-based public and private entities. Eligible applicants listed 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/Indian housing authorities; and nonprofit organizations with or without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education if categorized that way). The opportunity also explicitly highlights additional eligible applicant types such as 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 agencies of the federal government; regional organizations; Indian/Native American tribal governments other than federally recognized; and non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations). At the same time, the NOFO clearly states important exclusions: U.S. territories or possessions are not eligible to apply, and non-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply.

Administratively, this is a discretionary grant opportunity with an original closing date of 2026-07-31, and it was created/posted on 2024-07-19. The award ceiling and expected number of awards are not specified in the provided source information, which typically means applicants should consult the full announcement and related AHRQ guidance for budget expectations, project period constraints, and any program-specific funding preferences or limits. Overall, the opportunity is aimed at advancing practical, real-world digital innovations that can be embedded into care delivery and credibly shown to improve healthcare quality where care actually happens.

• 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 2024-07-19.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2026-07-31. (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.

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