The National Coordinating Center (NCC) for AHRQ’s Healthcare Extension Service aims to enhance the adoption of evidence-based healthcare practices at the state and local levels. The program focuses on accelerating the implementation of Patient-Centered Outcomes Research (PCOR) findings to improve healthcare delivery, particularly among underserved populations such as Medicaid recipients, the uninsured, and other vulnerable groups. The initiative will foster collaboration between state-based healthcare extension cooperatives, healthcare organizations, and a National Evaluation Center (NEC) to reduce healthcare disparities and support sustainable healthcare improvements.

The NCC will provide four core services: technical assistance, learning networks, communication and dissemination, and leadership with project management. Technical assistance will be tailored to the specific needs of each cooperative, covering areas such as creating healthcare extension services, establishing multi-stakeholder councils, identifying and implementing PCOR evidence, and troubleshooting implementation barriers. The NCC will also organize learning networks to connect cooperatives and stakeholders, enabling them to share best practices, address challenges, and learn from external experts. These networks will help align efforts across states and promote the use of common strategies for healthcare delivery improvement.

The program emphasizes collaboration between healthcare providers, government agencies, and community-based organizations. Safety-net healthcare delivery organizations, such as community health centers and federally qualified health centers, are key partners in addressing the needs of underserved populations. The initiative is modeled after the USDA’s Cooperative Extension System and aims to create a system that integrates healthcare policy, payment models, and public health strategies to improve outcomes. The NCC will engage with federal partners, including Medicaid, CMS, and HRSA, to align with national priorities and reduce duplication of efforts.

Eligible applicants include public and private higher education institutions, nonprofits, state and local governments, tribal governments, and community-based organizations. Applicants must demonstrate expertise in healthcare delivery and project management and should show experience in collaborating with stakeholders across multiple sectors. The principal investigators must commit at least 10 percent of their time to the project, with a minimum total commitment of 25 percent from the leadership team across all participating investigators.

AHRQ will fund one award with a total project period of five years. Annual funding will not exceed $3,350,000, with a total budget capped at $14,250,000 for the entire project period. Funds must be used for direct project activities in compliance with federal cost principles. The NCC will also be required to conduct site visits to each cooperative at least twice over the grant period to strengthen relationships, address challenges, and observe real-time implementation efforts.

Applications are due by December 13, 2024, with early submission recommended to allow for error correction. Letters of intent are encouraged 30 days before the application deadline to help AHRQ plan the review process, but they are not mandatory. Applications must be submitted electronically through either Grants.gov or the NIH ASSIST system. The NCC will provide quarterly progress reports to AHRQ and collaborate closely with the NEC to monitor outcomes and assess program effectiveness. The NCC’s work will focus on achieving sustainable improvements in healthcare delivery and reducing disparities by promoting the adoption of evidence-based practices across healthcare systems and states.