Frequently Asked Questions

AHRQ News Now, the agency's weekly electronic newsletter, is the best way to keep up with the agency's news and opportunities. Register for a free subscription. We also have an agency blog, AHRQ Views, in which AHRQ leaders write blog posts that draw from agency data and research. Subscriptions are also available for email updates on numerous agency activity areas.

AHRQ supports research to improve the quality, effectiveness, accessibility, and cost effectiveness of healthcare through a variety of grant types. Visit the agency's grants overview web page for basic information about applying for grants, including grant mechanisms and descriptions, application forms and important dates, and the award process. The agency's Notice of Funding Opportunities web page contains a comprehensive overview of opportunities and announcements.

No. AHRQ is the federal agency responsible for improving the quality, appropriateness, and effectiveness of health services in the United States. It achieves this by supporting scientific research to provide evidence-based information to improve healthcare outcomes and inform policy decisions. AHRQ funds research to support healthcare professionals, policymakers, and the public and produces data, tools, and evidence. It does not have the authority to regulate or enforce healthcare standards.
 

Health services research is the field of study that examines the quality, safety, affordability, and equity of healthcare delivery from the perspectives of patients, caregivers, and clinical professionals. Health services research examines many facets of healthcare, including organizational structures and processes, health technologies, financing, and social factors.