Developing New Clinical Decision Support to Disseminate and Implement Evidence-Based Research Findings (R18) | PA 17 261

Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 17 261

The Agency for Health Care Research and Quality (AHRQ) released this discretionary grant opportunity, titled Developing New Clinical Decision Support to Disseminate and Implement Evidence-Based Research Findings (R18), under Funding Opportunity Number PA 17-261 (CFDA 93.226). The central goal is to fund projects that turn strong evidence from existing research into practical clinical decision support (CDS) tools that can be used in real care settings. In other words, the program is aimed at closing the gap between what research shows works and what clinicians actually do at the point of care, by building CDS that helps providers apply evidence consistently and appropriately.

This FOA is focused on two linked outcomes. First, applicants are expected to develop new CDS that is reliable, valid, and usable, meaning it should perform consistently, be grounded in evidence and measure what it is supposed to measure, and fit into clinical workflows without creating unnecessary burden. Second, applicants must then demonstrate that the CDS is effective in improving care in clinical practice. That implies the work is not limited to building a tool; it also involves implementing it in real-world settings and evaluating whether it actually changes practice or outcomes in a meaningful way. The emphasis on dissemination and implementation signals that success is measured by adoption and impact, not just technical novelty.

The funding mechanism is an R18 grant, which is typically used for research demonstration and dissemination projects with a practical, applied orientation. The opportunity sits in the broad funding activity category of Health and supports projects that take evidence-based findings and translate them into decision support interventions that can be integrated into clinical operations. Although the notice does not list an award ceiling or the number of expected awards in the provided text, it clearly frames the expectations around both development and proof of effectiveness, which usually entails a rigorous evaluation plan alongside stakeholder-centered design and implementation planning.

Eligibility is broad across public, private, nonprofit, and some for-profit entities. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township, and special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; Native American tribal organizations that are not federally recognized; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with and without 501(c)(3) status (excluding institutions of higher education where specified); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; and small businesses. The FOA also explicitly highlights additional eligible applicant types such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISISs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, eligible federal government agencies, U.S. territories or possessions, and Indian/Native American tribal governments that are not federally recognized.

Foreign eligibility is restricted. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and non-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply as applicants. However, foreign components, as defined by the HHS Grants Policy Statement, may still participate in a limited role, specifically as members of consortia or as subcontractors. This structure allows international expertise or resources to contribute to a project when appropriate, while keeping applicant leadership and primary responsibility within eligible U.S.-based organizations.

Key administrative details from the listing include the creation date of April 20, 2017, and an original closing date of December 17, 2018. Overall, the opportunity is best understood as support for applied health services research that designs and tests new CDS interventions built directly from evidence-based findings, with the expectation that funded projects will show measurable improvements in clinical care once the CDS is deployed in practice settings.

• The Agency for Health Care Research and Quality in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Developing New Clinical Decision Support to Disseminate and Implement Evidence-Based Research Findings (R18)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.226.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2017-04-20.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2018-12-17. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.

Apply for PA 17 261

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