The National Evaluation Center (NEC) for AHRQ’s Healthcare Extension Service will evaluate the effectiveness of state-based efforts to accelerate the use of Patient-Centered Outcomes Research (PCOR) evidence in healthcare delivery. This initiative focuses on reducing disparities in care, particularly among Medicaid recipients, the uninsured, and medically underserved populations. The NEC will assess how well these efforts translate PCOR evidence into practice by analyzing healthcare policies, payment models, and service delivery improvements. The NEC will work closely with state-based Healthcare Extension Cooperatives, the National Coordinating Center (NCC), and AHRQ to provide actionable feedback and track progress.

The NEC will use a multimethod, rapid-cycle evaluation framework to provide both formative and summative assessments of the cooperatives’ activities. This approach ensures continuous learning and allows for real-time adjustments to strategies. The center’s evaluations will focus on identifying the barriers and facilitators to implementing evidence-based care, evaluating the quality and equity of service delivery, and documenting how cooperatives coordinate with stakeholders, including Medicaid agencies, safety-net healthcare providers, and public health organizations. The NEC will examine key contextual factors, such as administrative processes and workforce development, that affect program outcomes.

The NEC will be organized into three main components. The Data and Measurement Core will develop metrics and data collection tools to document cooperative activities and measure program impacts, including health equity outcomes. This core will also collaborate with the NCC and the cooperatives to standardize data collection methods and facilitate cross-collaborative evaluations. The Program Monitoring and Feedback Core will gather data through site visits and self-monitoring reports to provide quarterly feedback, helping cooperatives identify challenges and make timely adjustments. The Program Assessment and Dissemination Core will lead comprehensive evaluations and create public access to data sets and reports, ensuring transparency and promoting shared learning.

Eligible applicants for this program include higher education institutions, nonprofits, state and local governments, tribal organizations, and community-based organizations. The NEC’s leadership team must demonstrate expertise in healthcare delivery, rapid-cycle program evaluation, and stakeholder engagement. A minimum commitment of 20 percent effort is required from principal investigators to ensure sustained involvement throughout the five-year project. The NEC must also collaborate with the NCC to align program goals and ensure consistent feedback across all cooperative activities.

AHRQ will fund one NEC award with a total project period of five years. The maximum allowable budget is $5,000,000 per year, with a total budget not exceeding $14.8 million for the entire project period. Funds must be used in compliance with federal cost principles, and budgets should reflect the actual needs of the proposed activities. The NEC is required to conduct annual site visits to cooperatives to collect implementation data and provide direct feedback.

Applications are due by December 13, 2024, and prospective applicants are encouraged to submit letters of intent 30 days before the deadline to assist AHRQ with planning the review process. Applications must follow AHRQ guidelines and be submitted through Grants.gov or the NIH ASSIST system. The NEC will play a crucial role in ensuring that healthcare improvements are implemented effectively across states by providing rigorous evaluation and promoting collaboration among stakeholders.