Research to Advance the Science of Primary Care (R01) | PA 24 205

Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 24 205

The Research to Advance the Science of Primary Care (R01) opportunity (NOFO PA-24-205) is a discretionary grant program from the Agency for Health Care Research and Quality (AHRQ) focused on strengthening primary care by funding rigorous research that explains what high-quality primary care looks like, why it matters, and how it can be delivered more effectively. The central aim is to build practical, decision-relevant evidence about the specific characteristics of primary care that drive better patient outcomes and help close equity gaps. The NOFO emphasizes research on features such as care coordination, continuity of care, and comprehensiveness, along with person-centered approaches, whole-person/whole-health care, and trust between patients and the care system. Projects supported under this R01 are expected to go beyond describing problems and instead generate evidence about how these features can be improved, implemented, and sustained in real-world settings so primary health care is more effective and equitable.

This funding opportunity is positioned for applicants who can study primary care as a system of care delivery, including how it functions across settings, teams, and time. AHRQ is looking for work that clarifies the value of primary care attributes and connects them to outcomes that matter to patients and communities, particularly outcomes tied to health equity. That can include examining how primary care practices organize to coordinate services, how long-term relationships and continuity affect health and utilization, how comprehensiveness influences prevention and chronic disease management, how person-centered care changes engagement and adherence, and how trust is built or eroded in different populations. A strong fit for this NOFO would be research that identifies measurable elements of these concepts, tests strategies to improve them, and evaluates which delivery approaches work best for different patient groups and care contexts.

The award uses the NIH-style R01 research project grant mechanism and is categorized under the health funding activity area (CFDA 93.226). The posted award ceiling is $500,000, indicating that proposed budgets should be constructed with that upper limit in mind (while the full NOFO should be consulted for details on whether the ceiling applies per year or over the project period, and for any additional budget rules). The opportunity has a long application window with an original closing date listed as November 5, 2029, which suggests multiple submission cycles may be available over several years, consistent with many program announcements. Because the listing does not specify the expected number of awards, applicants should assume a competitive review environment and focus on clear aims, strong methods, feasible implementation, and outcomes that directly inform primary care policy and practice.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of U.S.-based organizations and governmental entities. Eligible applicants listed include state governments, county governments, city or township governments, special district governments, and independent school districts, as well as public and state-controlled institutions of higher education and private institutions of higher education. Tribal eligibility includes federally recognized Native American tribal governments and tribal organizations other than federally recognized governments, and the NOFO also highlights Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs) and Indian/Native American Tribal Governments (other than federally recognized) as other eligible applicants. Nonprofit organizations are eligible whether or not they hold 501(c)(3) status, and both for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) and small businesses are also eligible. Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities are included as well.

The NOFO also explicitly calls out additional eligible applicant types that are often central to equity-focused primary care research, including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISI), Hispanic-serving Institutions, and Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs). Faith-based or community-based organizations and regional organizations are also identified as eligible, and eligible agencies of the federal government may apply. U.S. territories or possessions are included as eligible applicants, which is important for primary care delivery research in varied geographic and policy environments.

At the same time, the opportunity is clear about limits related to foreign involvement. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign institutions) are not eligible to apply, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible to apply. The text also lists "Non-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations)" among other eligible applicants, but it then explicitly states that non-domestic entities are not eligible, so applicants should rely on the controlling eligibility language in the full NOFO and, if needed, confirm with AHRQ program contacts before proceeding. In practice, the listing signals that the applicant organization and the project components must be U.S.-based to be eligible.

Overall, this NOFO is designed for research teams that can produce actionable evidence on how to deliver stronger primary care, with a particular emphasis on the mechanisms through which core primary care functions improve outcomes and equity. Competitive projects are likely to be those that define primary care attributes in measurable terms, link them to patient-centered outcomes, test scalable improvement strategies, and generate findings that health systems, communities, and policymakers can use to strengthen primary healthcare delivery. For final requirements, including the precise research areas of interest, submission dates, budget structure, and review criteria, the full Notice of Funding Opportunity should be treated as the authoritative source.

• The Agency for Health Care Research and Quality in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Research to Advance the Science of Primary Care (R01)" 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 2024-03-29.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2029-11-05.
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $500,000.00 in funding.
• 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.

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