The Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI) www.pcori.org has issued two funding announcements totaling up to $150.7 million to further develop health systems and patient-powered data networks as part of the National Patient-Centered Clinical Research Network (PCORnet).
PCORnet is a large national network conducting Comparative Effectiveness Research (CER) and other types of health studies rapidly and efficiently. Upon completion, it will be a resource to support studies using clinical data gathered in routine clinical practices in real world settings.
PCORI began developing PCORnet with an initial investment of $93.5 million to support the development and expansion of 29 individual networks, a mix of health system-based Clinical Data Research Networks (CDRN) and Patient-Organized Patient-Powered Research Networks (PPRN) over an 18 month first phase that will end September 2015.
PCORI’s Board of Governors approved the two PCORI funding announcements for Phase II to continue PCORnet’s development over a three year second phase at its meeting held on December 8, 2014. PCORI will provide up to $8.75 million in total costs for each CDRN and up to $1.68 million in total costs for each PPRN over three years.
Phase II funding will enable participating networks to support both randomized and observational CER studies, rapid-cycle studies, and other types of health research using robust standardized data sets with strong patient privacy and security protections. In addition, the PPRNs and CDRNs are expected to significantly increase their collaboration and develop plans to sustain their operations beyond the end of Phase II.
PCORI is providing funds to support as many as 13 CDRNs and 22 PPRNs in Phase II. All 11 CDRNs and 18 PPRNs currently participating in PCORnet are eligible to apply for Phase II funding.
Eligible applicants are welcome from private sector research organizations including nonprofits or for-profits, public sector research organizations including but not limited to universities, colleges, hospitals, healthcare systems, laboratory manufacturers or any unit of local, state, or federal government.
A required Letter of Intent is due by January 15, 2015 from potential applicants. PCORI will notify applicants that they are invited to submit full applications by February 3, 2015.