PA-24-156
AHRQ Health Services Research Demonstration and Dissemination Grants (R18)
Summary
AHRQ Health Services Research Demonstration and Dissemination Grants (R18)
STATUS: EXPIRED (March 6, 2026). Limited case-by-case submissions may be accepted; contact eRA Service Desk.
Research Focus
This program funds large research demonstration and dissemination projects that develop, test, and evaluate health service activities to improve healthcare quality, delivery, and outcomes. AHRQ prioritizes research addressing three core areas: improving healthcare quality and patient safety; improving healthcare delivery and practice improvement; and enhancing whole-person healthcare delivery. Projects span all healthcare settings—hospitals, long-term care, ambulatory care, home healthcare, pharmacy, and care transitions—and may engage diverse partners including patients, families, clinicians, policymakers, healthcare organizations, and government agencies. Research must include priority populations and align with AHRQ's mission to generate science-based knowledge and tools that inform decisions by consumers, professionals, and policymakers.
At a Glance
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Who can apply: Higher education institutions (public/private, including HBCUs, Hispanic-serving, tribal colleges), nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status, state/local/tribal governments, federal agencies, faith-based and community organizations. For-profit organizations may only participate as subcontractors; foreign institutions similarly restricted.
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Funding & project length: Up to $400,000 total costs per year; project period not to exceed 5 years.
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Award mechanism: Research Demonstration and Dissemination Grant (R18).
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Key dates: First application due May 25, 2024 (standard NIH dates apply); peer review ~4 months after receipt; earliest start ~4 months after peer review. Program expired March 6, 2026.
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Best fit for: Health services researchers, implementation scientists, and quality improvement teams testing interventions or practice models across clinical settings; emphasis on dissemination and real-world application of evidence.
Key Facts
Deadline
Sat, May 26, 2029
Posted
Tue, February 6, 2024
Award / Year (total costs)
$400,000
Max Total
$2,000,000
Max Duration
5 years
Keywords
Research Areas
Gotchas (4)
The NOFO explicitly states it has expired (March 6, 2026) and notes that applications may only be accepted on a case-by-case basis for a short period after expiration. This is a critical timeline issu
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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 does not allow for-profit organizations to lead R18 applications, but permits them only as consortium members or subcontractors. This is a non-standard restriction compared to typical NIH mechani
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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.”
Foreign institutions are explicitly prohibited from leading R18 applications and may only participate as consortium members or subcontractors. This is a geographic/institutional restriction that diffe
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Source Text
“Because the purpose of this program is to improve healthcare in the United States, foreign institutions may participate in projects as members of consortia or as subcontractors only. Applications submitted by for-profit organizations or foreign institutions will not be reviewed.”
AHRQ page limits for the Research Strategy may differ from NIH standard limits. The NOFO directs applicants to check the individual NOFO for page limits rather than relying on the standard SF424 (R&R)
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Source Text
“NOTE: The policies, guidelines, terms, and conditions stated in this Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) may differ from those used by the NIH. Where this 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.”