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Office of Research & Development

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Career Development Program

Important Resources

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. Only the Rehabilitation Research and Development Service is currently offering this type of award.
  • 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. This is the major type of Career Development Award, and it is supported by all four Services.
  • CDEA: The career development enhancement award for senior VA scientists is open to both non-clinicians and clinicians. This award will provide up to six months of salary for scientists to learn new research skills and combined with local support for six months offers the opportunity for a year "sabbatical."

How to Apply

Candidates for Career Development Awards need not have a VA appointment at the time they apply, but must be nominated by a VA facility and must identify an appropriate VA mentor. The Career Development Program is open to all researchers, both MDs and PhDs, who have the appropriate experience and training.
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 Career Development Program guidelines. The sponsoring VA research office must submit the application on behalf of the nominee. CDA-1 and CDA-2 proposals are submitted through Grants.gov. RFAs are available on the RFA page.

Calendar


The deadlines for LOI submissions and the contacts for the services are listed below.
Note: If the deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, submission is due the next business day. Early submission of LOIs is encouraged. (Deadline dates and contacts are summarized in the chart below.)

SERVICE

LOI SUBMISSION DEADLINES

LOI SUBMISSISON ADDRESS

CONTACT

Biomedical Laboratory R&D May 1
November 1
vhacadereview@va.gov vhacadereview@va.gov
Clinical Science R&D May 1
November 1
vhacadereview@va.gov vhacadereview@va.gov
Health Systems R&D April 15
October 15
Kara.Beck@va.gov Kara Beck, PhD
Kara.Beck@va.gov
Rehabilitation R&D May 1
November 1
rrdreviews@va.gov Shirley Groer, PhD (10P9R)
Shirley.Groer@va.gov
(202) 443-5767


Questions about the R&D website? Email the Web Team

Any health information on this website is strictly for informational purposes and is not intended as medical advice. It should not be used to diagnose or treat any condition.