Large Research Projects for Prevention of Healthcare-Associated Infections (R01) | PA 21 265

Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 21 265

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) is offering a discretionary grant opportunity titled "Large Research Projects for Prevention of Healthcare-Associated Infections (R01)" under Funding Opportunity Number PA-21-265 (CFDA 93.226). The purpose of this program is to fund large, rigorous research projects that strengthen the evidence base for how healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) are detected, prevented, and reduced. In practical terms, AHRQ is looking for substantial R01-style studies that can generate actionable knowledge and improve patient safety by addressing real-world problems in healthcare settings where infections are acquired during the course of receiving care.

The focus of the opportunity is broad within the HAI space, emphasizing research that advances methods, strategies, or systems for preventing and controlling infections linked to healthcare delivery. Projects can span different care environments (for example, hospitals, outpatient clinics, long-term care, or other settings where care is delivered) as long as they clearly contribute to improved detection, prevention, or reduction of HAIs. The FOA is positioned to support work that produces generalizable findings, strengthens implementation approaches, and helps healthcare organizations adopt more effective practices, tools, and workflows to reduce infection risks.

This is a grant mechanism (Funding Instrument Type: Grant) in the health category, and it is designed for larger projects consistent with the R01 format. The listed award ceiling is $500,000, indicating the maximum funding level AHRQ expects to provide per award under this announcement (applicants should still verify budget structure and limits in the full FOA, since agencies often specify whether caps apply per year, per project period, or to direct costs). The opportunity was created on July 7, 2021, and the original closing date shown is May 26, 2025, which serves as the key deadline reference in the provided source data.

Eligibility is relatively expansive across U.S.-based public and private entities that can conduct health services and patient safety research. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township, and special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities; Native American tribal organizations other than federally recognized tribal governments; and nonprofit organizations both with and without 501(c)(3) status (as long as they are not institutions of higher education). The FOA also explicitly highlights additional eligible applicant types, including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, eligible agencies of the federal government, Indian/Native American tribal governments other than federally recognized, and U.S. territories or possessions.

At the same time, the FOA clearly restricts foreign participation: non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities are not eligible to apply, and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are also not eligible. In other words, the applicant organization must be U.S.-based, and the work supported under the award must not be carried out through foreign components as defined by the agency. Because eligibility details can have important nuances (for example, definitions of organizational types, documentation requirements, or special conditions for certain institutions), applicants are directed to review the full FOA for complete and authoritative eligibility rules.

Overall, this funding opportunity is aimed at supporting sizable, high-impact research projects that can measurably improve the science and practice of preventing healthcare-associated infections, with the expectation that funded work will contribute to safer care delivery and better outcomes for patients across the U.S. healthcare system.

• The Agency for Health Care Research and Quality in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Large Research Projects for Prevention of Healthcare-Associated Infections (R01)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.226.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2021-07-07.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-05-26. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $500,000.00 in funding.
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, Others.

Apply for PA 21 265

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