PA-23-196
AHRQ Health Services Research Dissertation Program (R36)
Summary
AHRQ Health Services Research Dissertation Program (R36)
STATUS: EXPIRED (March 6, 2026). Limited case-by-case submissions may be accepted; contact eRA Service Desk.
Research Focus
This program supports doctoral students completing dissertation research in health services research—a field examining organization, delivery, financing, utilization, patient and provider behavior, outcomes, effectiveness, and cost of healthcare in the United States. The program targets research aligned with AHRQ's mission to produce evidence making healthcare safer, higher quality, more accessible, equitable, and affordable. Priority areas include patient safety improvements, harnessing data and technology for quality and outcomes, and increasing accessibility and affordability through innovative care delivery and financing models. Applicants are encouraged to address health equity, moving beyond documenting disparities to develop evidence-based solutions addressing inequities driven by discrimination, structural racism, and social determinants of health. Research must focus on U.S. healthcare delivery; international projects are not eligible.
At a Glance
- Who can apply: Doctoral students registered and matriculating at accredited doctoral-granting institutions (higher education, nonprofits, government, tribal organizations, and faith-based organizations eligible as lead applicants; for-profit organizations may only participate as subcontractors).
- Funding & project length: NRSA predoctoral stipend plus up to $15,000 direct costs for additional expenses; 9–17 months project period.
- Award mechanism: R36 dissertation grant; F&A costs capped at 8% of modified total direct costs.
- Key dates: Application deadlines February 1, May 1, August 1, November 1 annually; letter of intent due 30 days prior; scientific review ~4 months after receipt.
- Best fit for: Doctoral candidates in health services research, health policy, health economics, or related disciplines studying U.S. healthcare systems, quality improvement, equity, safety, or access.
Key Facts
Deadline
Sat, May 6, 2028
Posted
Wed, May 3, 2023
Award / Year (direct costs)
$15,000
Max Total
$15,000
Max Duration
1 year
Keywords
Research Areas
Gotchas (7)
Dissertation research must focus on U.S. health care delivery; international health care research projects are not accepted
95%
Source Text
“Candidates must conduct dissertation projects which focus on health care delivery in the United States. AHRQ will not accept international health care research projects.”
AHRQ policies and page limits may differ from NIH; applicants must follow NOFO-specific instructions over general Application Guide guidance
90%
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.”
Applicant organization must be an accredited doctoral-granting institution where the student is registered and matriculating
95%
Source Text
“For dissertation grants, the applicant organization must be an accredited doctoral granting institution at which the student is registered and matriculating.”
NRSA-supported individuals (T32, F31, F32) can apply but may only request $15,000 for non-salary expenses; no salary support allowed
95%
Source Text
“Individuals supported under National Research Service Award (NRSA) mechanisms, including T32, F31 and F32 research training awards are eligible to apply for an AHRQ R36 dissertation award; however, such individuals may only request up to $15,000 direct costs for additional, non-salary expenses, and no funds may be requested for salary support.”
For-profit organizations cannot lead applications; they may only participate as consortium members or subcontractors
95%
Source Text
“AHRQ's authorizing legislation does not allow for-profit organizations to be eligible to lead applications under this research mechanism. For-profit organizations may participate in projects as members of consortia or as subcontractors only.”
F&A costs capped at 8% of modified total direct costs, which is lower than typical NIH rates
90%
Source Text
“Facilities and Administrative (F&A) costs (i.e., overhead, or indirect costs) are limited to 8% of modified total direct costs.”
Project period must be between 9-17 months; shorter or longer periods are ineligible
90%
Source Text
“The project period must be no less than 9 months and may not exceed 17 months.”