Large Research Projects for Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria (CARB) (R01)

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, issued a Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) titled "Large Research Projects for Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria (CARB) (R01)" under announcement number PA-22-047. This FOA renews previous iterations and is part of a broader effort aligned with the National Action Plan for Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria (CARB NAP) and the National Action Plan to Prevent Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI NAP). The funding initiative supports research that addresses the increasing public health threat of antibiotic-resistant (AR) infections, which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates cause over 2.8 million infections and more than 35,000 deaths annually in the U.S. The primary goal of this program is to fund large-scale health services research projects that aim to promote the appropriate use of antibiotics, reduce the transmission of resistant bacteria, and prevent healthcare-associated infections (HAIs). The FOA emphasizes the need for studies that generate evidence on the clinical efficacy and effectiveness of CARB-related interventions, as well as those that examine epidemiological aspects related to AR, transmission, and infection prevention. Research is encouraged across various healthcare settings, including acute care hospitals, long-term care facilities, ambulatory settings, and transitional care environments, with a special focus on under-researched settings like ambulatory and long-term care. This FOA uses the R01 Research Project Grant mechanism. Applicants may propose projects with a budget not exceeding $500,000 in total costs per year, and no more than $2.5 million over the five-year project period. Research areas of interest include, but are not limited to, antibiotic stewardship strategies, the use of diagnostics in decision-making, regional infection control strategies, implementation of decolonization practices, and reducing transmission of multidrug-resistant organisms (MDROs) such as C. difficile, CRE, MRSA, VRE, and ESBLs. Eligible applicants include U.S.-based higher education institutions, state and local governments, nonprofit organizations, Native American tribal governments and organizations, and other domestic entities. For-profit and foreign institutions may not apply as lead applicants but may participate as consortium members or subcontractors. Applicants must follow AHRQ’s grants policy and data management requirements, including considerations for confidentiality, human subjects protection, and the inclusion of priority populations such as low-income groups, racial and ethnic minorities, and individuals with disabilities. Applications must be submitted electronically via Grants.gov or NIH ASSIST systems. The FOA follows the standard R01 application cycle with open submission beginning November 1, 2021, and deadlines following the NIH standard due dates. While the opportunity is now expired as of March 20, 2026 (per Notice NOT-HS-26-017), the FOA remains listed for reference due to NIH’s policy allowing late or continuous submissions in limited circumstances. Review processes include scientific merit review approximately four months after receipt, with the earliest start date similarly projected post-review. Applications are evaluated based on significance, innovation, approach, investigator capability, and environment. AHRQ also emphasizes responsiveness to agency priorities, alignment with health equity goals, and inclusion of underserved populations in project design. For further assistance, applicants may contact scientific/research staff such as Dr. David Calfee or Dr. Melissa Miller at AHRQ’s Center for Quality Improvement and Patient Safety. Grants management questions should be directed to Steven Young in AHRQ’s Division of Grants Management. Applicants must consult the full FOA and adhere to both general and program-specific requirements when preparing and submitting proposals.