Large Research Projects for Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria (CARB) (R01) | PA 16 423

Opportunity Information: Apply for PA 16 423

The Large Research Projects for Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria (CARB) (R01) funding opportunity (PA-16-423) is a discretionary grant program run by the Agency for Health Care Research and Quality (AHRQ) under CFDA number 93.226. It is designed to support substantial research projects aimed at addressing the public health and health care system challenges created by antibiotic-resistant bacteria. While the title specifies an R01 mechanism, the description text included with the notice also references a related CARB announcement (PA-16-422) using the R18 mechanism, which is typically used for large-scale health services research demonstration, dissemination, and implementation-focused work. In practical terms, this indicates AHRQ is supporting large, applied projects that can generate evidence and translate it into real-world improvements in how health care organizations prevent, detect, and respond to antibiotic resistance.

The central purpose of this opportunity is to fund larger research efforts that can meaningfully reduce harms associated with antibiotic-resistant infections through improved health care delivery. Projects supported under CARB are generally expected to go beyond small pilot work and instead test, evaluate, and spread interventions that improve antibiotic use (antibiotic stewardship), strengthen infection prevention and control, and enhance the health system's ability to measure, report, and act on antibiotic resistance threats. Because AHRQ is a health services research agency, the emphasis is commonly on how care is organized, delivered, and improved in real clinical settings rather than on basic microbiology or drug discovery. Applicants should expect a focus on outcomes that matter to patients and health systems, such as fewer resistant infections, better prescribing decisions, fewer adverse drug events, reduced transmission in facilities, improved adherence to evidence-based practices, and stronger implementation strategies that can be replicated or scaled.

Eligibility is limited to domestic (U.S.-based) organizations. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities, including foreign institutions, are explicitly not eligible to apply. In addition, non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are not eligible, meaning a U.S. institution generally cannot propose a formal project component that would be carried out outside the United States under this announcement. The eligible applicant types listed include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education as well as federally recognized Native American tribal governments and other Native American tribal organizations. The notice also advises applicants to consult the full Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) for complete eligibility requirements and any additional allowable applicant categories or constraints.

From a funding and program structure standpoint, the opportunity is categorized as a grant with an overall health activity focus. The source data indicates an award ceiling is listed but not specified in the provided text, and it anticipates up to 100 awards. The opportunity record shows an original closing date of 2021-10-30, and the announcement was created on 2016-09-06. Those dates suggest the initiative was intended to support multiple awards over time, though anyone considering applying would need to confirm whether the announcement is still active, whether new receipt dates exist, or whether it has been superseded by newer CARB-related FOAs.

Overall, this grant opportunity is best understood as support for large, applied health services research projects that can demonstrate and disseminate effective strategies to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria within U.S. health care settings. Strong proposals would typically be expected to use rigorous study designs appropriate for real-world settings, incorporate implementation and dissemination planning, engage relevant stakeholders (such as hospitals, clinics, long-term care facilities, and public health partners), and generate findings that are actionable for health systems seeking to reduce the burden of antibiotic resistance.

• The Agency for Health Care Research and Quality in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Large Research Projects for Combating Antibiotic-Resistant Bacteria (CARB) (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 2016-09-06.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2021-10-30. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 100 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments).

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