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The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality is offering grants of up to $500,000 for research that will provide evidence to inform policymakers in development of Stage 3 electronic health records meaningful use objectives.

The research would be on a fast-track. “Given the current state of development, AHRQ is only interested in supporting applications that propose projects that can begin in September 2013, and which will disseminate results before June 2014,” according the funding notice, available here.

The agency seeks projects that evaluate implementation of proposed Stage 3 objectives in primary care practices and hospitals. In particular, strategies are sought for improving objectives at the policy level, incorporating EHR innovations that support meeting the objectives, and ways for providers to increase the value of meaningful use objectives. The projects must include engagement of meaningful use-eligible practices or hospitals in evaluating one or more proposed Stage 3 objectives.

“The time-sensitive nature of this policy relevant research necessitates that the applicant demonstrate capacity in resources and project management to support the timely dissemination of results of the project within nine months,” according to AHRQ. “In order to ensure rapid development and dissemination of these findings, study extensions will be strongly discouraged, and will be reviewed strictly on a case-by-case basis.” Applications for grants up to $500,000 are due by March 28, grants of up to $250,000 are available after that date.