The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), a division of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), is offering the AHRQ Health Services Research Dissertation Program (R36). This funding opportunity is designed to support individuals conducting dissertation research in health services research as part of an accredited doctoral program. The program aims to produce evidence that enhances healthcare quality, accessibility, equity, affordability, and patient safety. Research funded under this program should address key health services research issues, including healthcare organization, delivery, financing, utilization, outcomes, and disparities.

The funding is available exclusively to U.S.-based accredited doctoral-granting institutions where the candidate is matriculated and pursuing a doctoral degree. Individuals at the dissertation stage of training in fields such as behavioral sciences, health services research, nursing, social sciences, epidemiology, biostatistics, health policy, health informatics, engineering, economics, and mathematics are encouraged to apply. Applicants must be U.S. citizens, non-citizen nationals, or permanent residents and must have completed all non-dissertation requirements for their doctoral degree. The research must be relevant to the U.S. healthcare system; international health care projects are not eligible.

Applications are accepted on a recurring basis with submission deadlines on February 1, May 1, August 1, and November 1 annually. Applicants are required to submit a letter of intent at least 30 days prior to the application deadline. The review process typically takes four months, and funding decisions are based on scientific merit, alignment with AHRQ priorities, and available funds. The earliest project start date is typically four months after the review date.

The award budget includes direct costs consistent with the National Research Service Award (NRSA) predoctoral stipend level, with an additional $15,000 for research-related expenses. Indirect costs are capped at 8% of modified total direct costs. Funds may be used for research-related expenses such as data collection, software, supplies, and conference travel but cannot be used for salary support beyond the stipend level, consultant fees, or faculty mentorship costs. The project period must be between 9 and 17 months.

Applications must be submitted electronically through Grants.gov, NIH ASSIST, or an institutional system-to-system solution. Required documentation includes letters of support from the dissertation committee and candidate, a research strategy outlining the project's impact, and a mentorship plan. The application is reviewed for scientific merit based on significance, investigator qualifications, innovation, approach, and institutional support.

For questions regarding the application process, applicants may contact Amy Chanlongbutra, Sc.D., MPH, CHES at Amornrat.Chanlongbutra@ahrq.hhs.gov for scientific inquiries, or Anna Caponiti at Anna.Caponiti@ahrq.hhs.gov for financial and grants management inquiries. The funding opportunity remains open until May 7, 2028.