PA-21-265
Large Research Projects for Prevention of Healthcare-Associated Infections (R01)
Summary
Large Research Projects for Prevention of Healthcare-Associated Infections (R01)
STATUS: EXPIRED (March 20, 2026). Limited case-by-case acceptance may apply; contact eRA Service Desk.
Research Focus
This R01 mechanism supports large research projects advancing knowledge of detection, prevention, and reduction of healthcare-associated infections (HAIs)—infections patients acquire during treatment in healthcare settings. HAIs affect approximately 1 in 31 hospital patients at any given time and cause tens of thousands of deaths annually, making prevention a top HHS priority aligned with the National Action Plan to Prevent Healthcare-Associated Infections and the National Action Plan for Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria (CARB NAP).
AHRQ funds research across acute care hospitals, ambulatory surgical centers, outpatient clinics, hemodialysis facilities, and long-term care settings, addressing infections including central line-associated bloodstream infection (CLABSI), catheter-associated urinary tract infection (CAUTI), surgical site infection (SSI), ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP), methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), and Clostridioides difficile. The program prioritizes clinical efficacy and effectiveness studies of preventive interventions (including adverse consequences) and epidemiological characterization of HAI risk factors, clinical presentation, and antibiotic-resistant organism sources. Research in under-resourced healthcare settings and addressing equity issues are encouraged.
At a Glance
- Who can apply: Domestic and foreign institutions; see full FOA for specific eligibility (note: AHRQ policies may differ from NIH).
- Funding & project length: Not stated in this excerpt.
- Award mechanism: R01 Research Project Grant.
- Key dates: First standard due date October 5, 2021 (now expired); earliest start date ~4 months after peer review.
- Best fit for: Health services researchers, epidemiologists, infection prevention specialists in clinical settings using intervention trials, observational studies, or implementation science approaches.
Key Facts
Deadline
Fri, March 20, 2026
Posted
Wed, July 7, 2021
Award Range
— – $500,000
Gotchas (4)
AHRQ has different page limits than NIH for the Research Strategy section, and applicants must follow AHRQ-specific instructions rather than standard NIH guidance where they differ.
95%
Source Text
“Also note that AHRQ has different page limits than NIH for the application Research Strategy, which can be found within each individual FOA.”
When program-specific instructions in this FOA deviate from the SF424(R&R) Application Guide, applicants must follow the FOA instructions, not the Application Guide. Non-compliance may result in delay
98%
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 use of identifiable CMS data must review NOT-HS-19-007 for important changes to how they must budget for the cost of this data, indicating non-standard cost treatment.
90%
Source Text
“Applicants who propose the use of identifiable CMS data are advised to review NOT-HS-19-007 for important changes to how applicants are to budget for the cost of this data.”
Applications on HAI prevention and CARB issues may be submitted to either the HAI FOAs (PA-21-265/PA-21-264) or the separate CARB FOAs, though AHRQ recommends following specific guidance. This creates
80%
Source Text
“Applications that are primarily focused on HAI prevention should be submitted in response to the HAI FOAs. Applications for proposed projects that are primarily focused on CARB issues should be submitted in response to the CARB FOAs. It will be helpful for applicants to follow this guidance. However, because prevention of HAIs is intimately connected to achieving the aims of the CARB NAP, AHRQ will consider applications on HAI prevention and/or CARB issues responsive if submitted to either set o”