PA-23-115
AHRQ Small Research Projects to Advance the Science of Primary Care (R03)
Summary
AHRQ Small Research Projects to Advance the Science of Primary Care (R03)
STATUS: EXPIRED (March 6, 2026). Limited case-by-case acceptance may apply; contact eRA Service Desk.
Research Focus
This R03 small grant program supports discrete, primary care-focused health services research projects designed to advance understanding of how primary care delivers person-centered, whole-person, integrated care to improve patient outcomes and population health. AHRQ defines primary care as the provision of accessible, equitable healthcare by interprofessional teams accountable for addressing the majority of an individual's health and wellness needs across settings through sustained relationships with patients, families, and communities.
The program prioritizes research on: (1) improving primary care quality, access, affordability, workforce development, care delivery models, digital healthcare, and health equity; (2) harnessing data and technology to study characteristics influencing patient outcomes (care coordination, continuity, comprehensiveness); and (3) management of clinical areas unique to primary care, including multiple chronic conditions, preventive care, undifferentiated syndromes, quality improvement, and integrated behavioral health. AHRQ is particularly interested in applications addressing disadvantaged populations and people with multiple chronic conditions, and those leveraging practice-based research networks (PBRNs).
Research domains include care coordination across settings, person-centered whole-person care addressing social determinants of health, primary care workforce issues and burnout, team composition and configurations, financing models, community-based partnerships, behavioral health integration, digital healthcare tools (electronic health records, clinical decision support, telehealth), and meaningful quality measures. Studies may operate at patient, clinician, practice, or system levels and may employ qualitative, mixed methods, rapid cycle evaluation, and adaptive designs.
At-a-Glance
- Who can apply: Eligible domestic institutions (specific types stated in Section III; not detailed in excerpt)
- Funding & duration: Not stated in excerpt; R03 mechanism typically supports smaller projects than R01
- Award type: Small Research Grant (R03)
- Key dates: LOI due 30 days before application; application deadline June 16, 2023 (standard dates also apply); earliest start ~4 months post-peer review
- Best fit for: Primary care health services researchers studying care delivery, workforce, health equity, chronic disease management, or digital health implementation in ambulatory practice settings
Key Facts
Deadline
Fri, March 19, 2027
Posted
Thu, January 26, 2023
Award / Year (direct costs)
$100,000
Max Total
$100,000
Max Duration
2 years
Keywords
Research Areas
Gotchas (5)
This NOFO has expired as of March 6, 2026, but applications may be accepted on a case-by-case basis; applicants should contact eRA Service Desk before submitting
95%
Source Text
“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.”
AHRQ policies and page limits may differ from standard NIH guidance; applicants must follow NOFO-specific instructions over general Application Guide instructions when they conflict
85%
Source Text
“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.”
Program-specific instructions override Application Guide instructions; non-compliance may result in application delay or rejection
95%
Source Text
“When the 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.”
Applicants proposing identifiable CMS data must budget for data costs per NOT-HS-19-007, which represents a change from prior practice
90%
Source Text
“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 data.”
AHRQ particularly encourages applications leveraging primary care practice-based research networks (PBRNs) infrastructure, suggesting this may be a competitive advantage or implicit expectation
75%
Source Text
“In this NOFO, AHRQ is particularly interested in applications that leverage the infrastructure, expertise, and relationships of primary care practice-based research networks (PBRNs).”