Med Health/BBMH Research Career Scientist Awards

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Medical Health (Med Health) and Brain Behavioral and Mental Health (BBMH) Broad Portfolios recognize the critical contributions that non-clinician scientists make to our research program. The intramural nature of VA research encourages our investigators to make VA their primary professional focus. This includes participation in local and national committees, leadership of research core facilities, collaboration with clinician scientists, teaching, mentoring, and supervising junior investigators, and stewardship of shared resources.

In recognition of these efforts, we offer a funding mechanism to support the salaries of non-clinician scientists who have demonstrated extraordinary contributions to VA research beyond their own funded studies and programs: the Research Career Scientist (RCS) award.

The RCS award provides 5-years of salary support. The Senior Research Career Scientist (SRCS) award is provided to highly productive international leaders, who have achieved wide recognition of accomplishments in their research area, and provides 7-years of salary support. For more information about the RCS program, please refer to the documents below.

Please note that mid-term reports are no longer required for RCS awards as of October 1, 2024. Awardees must submit annual Research Performance Progress Reports (RPPRs) through eRA commons in lieu of the mid-term report.

RCS applications are accepted electronically via Grants.gov. Submission deadlines may be found in the RCS funding opportunity document (RFA) at: ISRM Notices of Special Interest (NOSIs) and Requests for Applications - https://vaww.research.va.gov/funding/rfa.cfm (Intranet only, copy and paste into your browser if you have VA network access) . Preapplications are required for all new, resubmission, and renewal RCS applications. The RCS RFA must be used in conjunction with the most current VA version of the SF424 (R&R) Application Guide.

Inquiries about the RCS Program should be directed to rcs.materials@va.gov.

• Office of Research and Development Program Guide 1200.20: Research Career Scientist
• Format for Curriculum Vitae for Research Career Scientist Applications
• Tips On Preparing Your Research Career Scientist Application
• Frequently Asked Questions