What is PCORI?

The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) funds comparative effectiveness research (CER). CER compares two or more screening tests, diagnostic tests, or interventions and compares risks and benefits of different approaches. What makes PCORI different as a funding agency is its commitment to:

  • Methodological standards for conducting CER
  • Stakeholder engagement (e.g., patients, families, providers, health systems, payers) in all phases of the research process, from development of a research question and study design to dissemination of findings. This means stakeholders must be involved developing the study question and design PRIOR to grant submission.

To learn more:

What is comparative effectiveness research (CER)?

CER compares two or more screening tests, diagnostic tests or interventions and compares risks and benefits of different approaches. To learn more about CER, check out Tufts CTSI’s CER course, available on I LEARN, or our Engaging Stakeholders in Comparative Effectiveness Research website.

What are methodological standards?

PCORI research must adhere to their methodological standards. The 47 standards are grouped into 11 categories:

  1. Formulating research questions
  2. Patient-centeredness
  3. Data integrity and rigorous analysis
  4. Preventing/handling missing data
  5. Heterogeneity of treatment effects
  6. Data networks
  7. Data registries
  8. Adaptive and Bayesian trial designs
  9. Causal inference
  10. Studies of diagnostic tests
  11. Systematic reviews.

Learn more about PCORI methodology standards by:

Tufts CTSI’s Biostatistics, Epidemiology, and Research Design (BERD) Center provides consultation on the implications of these standards for your application, and the Tufts CTSI CER group can provide consultation on patient-centeredness and stakeholder engagement. Sign up for a consultation.

What is stakeholder engagement?

PCORI is committed to engagement of stakeholders in all phases of the research process, from development of a research question and study design to dissemination of findings. PCORI provides a helpful rubric for designing a stakeholder engagement plan on their website (PDF).

Tufts CTSI’s CER group provides consultation on patient-centeredness and stakeholder engagement. Sign up for a consultation.

What does PCORI fund, and when?

For information about PCORI funding announcements and deadlines, please visit their funding opportunities page.

Does PCORI provide training?

Yes, PCORI offers a series of online applicant trainings that discuss the PCORI mission, application submission process (including how to access their online system, develop budget documents, stakeholder engagement plans), and review criteria.