Frequently Asked Questions

For a database of all EPC evidence-based reports, go to the Search EPC Reports page.

Topic suggestions to the EPC program for a new evidence review can be submitted by the public, such as clinicians, policymakers, and patients. Organizations, such as healthcare organizations, professional societies, and others, may also suggest topics.

To submit a topic nomination, go to: Submit a Suggestion for a New Evidence Review.

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) launched an initiative to promote evidence-based practice in 1997 by establishing 12 Evidence-based Practice Centers (EPCs) in universities and health-care related organizations. In 2014, AHRQ awarded 5-year contracts for EPC-V to 13 Evidence-based Practice Centers to continue this work. These EPCs develop evidence reports and technology assessments on topics relevant to clinical, social science/behavioral, economic, and other health care organization and delivery issues. These reports may be used for informing and developing coverage decisions, quality measures, educational materials and tools, clinical practice guidelines, and research agendas. The EPCs also conduct research on methodology of evidence synthesis.

With this program, AHRQ is a "science partner" with private and public organizations in their efforts to improve the quality, effectiveness, and appropriateness of health care by providing high- quality, unbiased syntheses of the evidence and facilitating the translation of evidence-based research findings.

For more information on the EPC program and participating Centers, go to the EPC Overview.

The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) ceased to publish guidelines in 1996. Most of the existing guidelines were withdrawn from distribution as out of date in 2000.

The outdated guidelines are archived online at the National Library of Medicine. You can access them via the AHRQ Archive.

Please be aware that the information in these guidelines is no longer considered current for medical practice.

TalkingQuality is a comprehensive resource and guide for organizations that produce and disseminate reports to consumers on the quality of care provided by health care organizations (e.g., hospitals, health plans, medical groups, nursing homes) and individual physicians. The purpose of TalkingQuality is to improve consumer reports on health care quality.

TalkingQuality offers:

• Innovative ideas for communicating complex information on health care quality to consumers.
• Information on the latest research findings.
• Real-world examples to illustrate various approaches and concepts.

For details, go to: https://www.ahrq.gov/talkingquality/.

Yes, AHRQ transitioned from the use of the PHS 398 form to the Standard Form (SF) 424 Research and Related (R&R) for most grant activity codes. Always refer to application instructions included in the Funding Opportunity Announcement to which you are applying to determine the appropriate application form.

No, AHRQ does not currently participate in the modular grant application initiative for any of its grant programs. Applicants should submit a complete, detailed SF424 Research and Related (R&R) application and ignore any/all modular application instructions. Applications submitted to AHRQ in the modular format will be returned to the applicant without review.

AHRQ will not make an award based on an application submitted in the modular format. Before award can take place, information not included in the modular grant format must be submitted to AHRQ. If a modular application submitted to NIH is assigned to AHRQ or is subsequently transferred to AHRQ for funding, you will be contacted by AHRQ grants management staff and informed of what additional materials are needed in order for AHRQ to complete its administrative review of the project and determine if an award will be made.

"Terms and Conditions of Award" are all the legal requirements imposed on a grant by the Federal Government, whether by statute, regulation, policy, or other document referenced in the Notice of Award (NoA) or by the NoA itself. In addition to general terms and conditions, the NoA may include other conditions that are considered necessary to attain the objectives of the grant, facilitate post-award administration, conserve grant funds, or otherwise protect the Federal Government's interests.

Grantees should carefully review all terms of award. The terms of award, either contained in or referenced by the award document, will be binding on both the grantee and the awarding agency until such time as they are modified by a revised award notice signed by the Grants Management Officer (GMO). A grantee indicates acceptance of the terms of award by requesting funds from the grants payment system. If the grantee cannot accept the terms, it should notify the GMO.