The AHRQ Small Health Services Research Grant Program (R03), reissued as PA-24-155, aims to support discrete, well-defined health services research projects that can be completed within two years. This program focuses on improving healthcare quality, delivery, patient safety, and whole-person care across various healthcare settings, including hospitals, long-term care, and ambulatory care. The research may involve different stakeholders, such as patients, clinicians, policymakers, healthcare organizations, and government bodies. Eligible projects may include pilot studies, secondary data analyses, small self-contained research projects, or the development of research methods or technology.

The R03 grant mechanism is suitable for short-term projects, with a budget limit of $100,000 total costs for the entire project period, which cannot exceed two years. The funding is contingent on AHRQ appropriations and the submission of high-quality applications. Applications are evaluated for scientific and technical merit based on criteria such as significance, innovation, investigator qualifications, approach, and research environment. Reviewers will also assess the adequacy of plans for priority populations, data management, and human subjects' protections. Awards will consider factors like the availability of funds, programmatic balance, and alignment with AHRQ's research priorities.

Eligible applicants include U.S. public and private higher education institutions, nonprofits, local and state governments, tribal organizations, and other entities specified in the notice. For-profit and foreign institutions may only participate as subcontractors. Applications from institutions such as Hispanic-serving institutions, HBCUs, and rural-serving institutions are encouraged, reflecting AHRQ's commitment to health equity and inclusivity. The application process requires registrations in systems like SAM and eRA Commons, with submissions through Grants.gov.

Submission deadlines start from June 16, 2024, with subsequent standard deadlines applicable until the program's expiration on July 18, 2029. Applications must adhere strictly to the requirements in the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide and the Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO). Post-submission, applications undergo peer review, and successful applicants will be notified and must comply with all reporting and administrative requirements detailed by AHRQ and HHS.

The program emphasizes the inclusion of priority populations, including racial and ethnic minorities, low-income groups, women, children, the elderly, individuals with disabilities, and other underserved communities. Successful applicants must also follow AHRQ's data sharing and confidentiality guidelines to protect participant information, aligning with the agency's commitment to transparency and ethical research practices.