This announcement represents the continuation of an AHRQ program that provides support to individuals who are conducting research undertaken as part of an accredited academic program to qualify for a research doctorate degree. The overall goal of the AHRQ Grants for Health Services Research Dissertation Program (R36) is to support individuals for dissertation research in health services research as part of completing a research doctorate degree. More information about AHRQ training and career development programs may be found at the AHRQ Training and Education website and information about research training and career development may be found at the NIH Extramural Training Mechanisms website.

Applications for dissertation research grants must be responsive to AHRQ’s mission, which is to produce evidence to make health care safer, higher quality, more accessible, equitable, and affordable, and to work with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and other partners to make sure that the evidence is understood and used. The research sponsored and conducted by the Agency develops and presents scientific evidence regarding all aspects of health care in the United States. It addresses issues of organization, delivery, financing, utilization, patient and provider behavior, outcomes, effectiveness, and cost. It evaluates both clinical services and the system in which these services are provided. These scientific results improve the evidence base to enable better decisions about health care, including such areas as disease prevention, appropriate use of medical technologies, improving diagnosis and treatment in cost-effective ways, long-term care, and reducing disparities based on race, ethnicity, gender, or socioeconomic status. AHRQ welcomes any area of health services research relevant to AHRQ's priority areas as a dissertation project topic.