Overview

We are seeking proposals of up to $175,000 for research projects, each lasting up to 15 months and focused on generating rigorous new evidence that will inform ways to improve access to and delivery of primary care for older adults.

Wednesday, November 10, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. ET

Proposal Details

Funding priority will be given to observational studies using existing data and rigorous empirical methods, especially those examining the effect of value-based payment (VBP) and alternative delivery models on chronic disease management and outcomes for older adults, and those identifying opportunities to improve chronic disease management for older adults in primary care settings. Specific examples of research topics of interest include:

Improving quality of care for older adults: As the population ages and the burden of chronic disease grows, can VBP drive improvements in quality, coordination, and equity of care for older adults? Possible research topics may include, but are not limited to:

• How does VBP affect clinical excellence for chronic condition management for conditions such as heart failure, chronic kidney disease, hypertension, or diabetes?
• How does VBP influence the coordination of care across providers and teams?
• How do alternative delivery models affect the quality and value of care for older adults with complex needs (e.g., home-based care, team-based care, age-friendly health systems)?

Improving chronic disease management: Effective chronic disease management benefits personalized and system-level strategies to improve outcomes, reduce unnecessary utilization, and improve patient experiences with care. Possible research topics may include, but are not limited to:

• How does VBP affect clinical excellence in managing chronic conditions such as heart failure, chronic kidney disease, hypertension, or diabetes (beyond Star measures)?
• How does VBP influence access to and the intensity of chronic disease management for these conditions?
• Does investing in chronic disease management change downstream health care utilization and costs? And how does this vary by alternative delivery systems?
• How do these impacts vary across different segments of the patient panels?

Improving access to primary care for older adults: Access to timely, high-quality primary care is essential for older adults, yet barriers such as workforce shortages, geographic inequities, and fragmented systems persist. Possible research topics may include, but are not limited to:

• What is the role of VBP in improving access to care?
• How does VBP affect access to specialists for older adults, including referral patterns and the intensity of specialty care use?
• How do special needs plans influence access to care for older adults?
• How do these effects differ for high-risk subgroups, such as beneficiaries in rural areas or those experiencing disparities in access and quality?

Eligibility

Proposals must be led by an LDI Senior Fellow. Penn faculty without an LDI affiliation and LDI Associate Fellows may participate as co-investigators. External collaborators are permitted with justification.

Application Process and Timeline

The Grant Review Committee will select up to two projects, each lasting 15 months. Applications will be released on Wednesday, September 17, 2025.

Applications will be due Wednesday, November 10, 2025, at 11:59 p.m. ET. Funding decisions are expected to be made in December 2025. IRB approval is required before the release of funds. PIs must submit their projects to the IRB for approval on notice of funding. Selected projects are expected to start by March 2026.

Budget

Project budgets may not exceed $175,000. Faculty salaries (up to the FY26 NIH cap) and benefits may be included only with strong justification and may not exceed 20% of the award. Travel, equipment, or indirect costs are not allowed.

Selection Criteria

Up to two proposals will be funded. Applications will be reviewed by the Advisory Committee, including LDI experts, a Humana Healthcare Research/CenterWell representative, and other external researchers.

Proposals will be evaluated based on:

• Impact: Potential to improve care delivery and outcomes of older adults, with preference for projects likely to inform and practice.
• Investigator(s) and Team: The qualifications of the PI and team.
• Methods: Rigor and appropriateness of the research design, with preference for rigorous observational research methods.
• Feasibility of Timeline. Likelihood of completion within the proposed timeline.

How to Apply

LDI Senior Fellows should complete the online application, which includes:

• Project Abstract (< 250 words).
• Project Description (< 3 pages, single-spaced, 11-point font, 0.5-inch margins), including:
  • Aim(s) and Significance (~1 page), including a review of current literature.
  • Research Plan and Methods (~ 2 pages), including data sources, measures, and an analysis plan.
• Budget
  • An itemized budget of up to $175,000.
    • A budget justification, describing and justifying the budget items.
• Timeline and Milestones (up to 15 months, including quantifiable milestones).
• Biosketches (<2 pages each for PI and co-investigators, following NIH format).
• Other Pending and Funded Proposals (with overlap noted).
• Appendices (essential supporting information only, e.g., survey instruments or letters of support).

Contact Information

If you have an idea but are unsure whether your project is feasible within this framework or proposed timeline, or if you have questions about Humana Healthcare Research data and would like to speak to a Humana Healthcare Research/CenterWell representative, please email Caleb Hearn.