How many LOIs am I permitted to submit to the BPS PFA in each cycle?

In general, a Principal Investigator (PI) can submit only one LOI per PFA. However, because PCORI’s Broad Pragmatic Studies PFA includes distinct funding opportunities across the four PCORI National Research Priorities, PCORI allows investigators to submit one LOI per national research priority area (Addressing Disparities; Improving Healthcare Systems; Assessment of Prevention, Diagnosis, and Treatment Options; and Communication and Dissemination Research). Applications addressing Special Areas of Emphasis, Maternal Morbidity/Mortality, or Intellectual and/or Developmental Disabilities will need to identify which one of the four priority areas pertains.  

The research topics and projects must be distinct and responsive to the specific respective national research priority area(s), as outlined in the PFA.  

Moreover, an individual listed as a PI on one LOI may be listed as and serve in another role (e.g., co-investigator, consultant) on other LOIs within the same national research priority area during the same cycle.  

If a PI submits an LOI to multiple national research priority areas under the Broad Pragmatic Studies PFA or to other PFAs offered within a given cycle, LOIs that exhibit scientific overlap or that appear to be duplicate will be flagged, as the multiple submissions will be disqualified. In such cases, PCORI will contact the PI to choose which LOI should move forward for consideration. The restriction on overlapping or duplicate submissions also applies to single- and dual-PI submissions.