Career Development Program

VA's Career Development Program was established to provide mentoring for junior researchers so they can learn from renowned, experienced VA researchers. Awardees from this program have become national and international leaders in their research fields. Awards are provided in all areas of VA’s research enterprise: biomedical laboratory, clinical science, health services, and rehabilitation research.

Career Development Award Levels

• CDA-1: This entry level career development program is open to both clinicians and non-clinicians. Review criteria emphasize candidate qualifications, mentorship, and career development plan.
• CDA-2: This mid-level program also is open to both clinicians and non-clinicians who must specify their career development plans and research project over a 3-5 year duration.
• CDTA: The transition award is open only to clinicians who have submitted a merit review proposal that has been approved (although not necessarily funded). This award will provide up to three years of transition funding to ensure that their VA research career is well-established.
• CDEA: The career development enhancement award for senior VA scientists is now also open to non-clinicians as well as clinicians. This award will provide up to six-months of salary for scientists to learn new research skills.

How to Apply

Candidates for Career Development Awards need not have VA appointments at the time they apply, but must be nominated by a VA facility and must identify an appropriate VA mentor. The CDP is open to all researchers, both MDs and PhDs, who have the appropriate experience and training as stated in the eligibility section of the CDP Handbook.

Nominees should work closely with their sponsoring research office to prepare a Letter of Intent (LOI), which is the first step in the review process. If the LOI is approved, the nominee may prepare an application in accordance with CDP guidelines. The sponsoring VA research office must submit the application on behalf of the nominee.

Calendar

The calendar for application to the Health Sciences or Rehabilitation R&D Services to the program will be as follows:

• April 15 – Letter of Intent Due
• June 15 – Applications Due
• October 15 – Letter of Intent Due
• December 15 – Applications Due

The calendar for application to the Biomedical Laboratory (see Updated Notes for BLR&D) or Clinical Science (see Updated Notes for CSR&D) R&D Services to the program is changing:

• June 15 – Letter of Intent Due
• September 1 – Applications Due
• December 15 – Letter of Intent Due
• March 1 – Applications Due

Contacts

Any questions may be directed to the appropriate ORD Service program manager:

Biomedical Laboratory or Clinical Science R&D Services, including Cooperative Studies:
Leroy Frey, PhD (202-461-1664) or leroy.frey@va.gov

Rehabilitation Research & Development Service:
Jay Freedman, PhD (202) 461-1699 or jay.freedman@va.gov

Health Services Research and Development Service:
Robert Small (202) 461-1515 or robert.small@va.gov