Office of Research & Development

BLRD/CSRD Research Career Scientist Awards

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BLRD and CSRD 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.

RCS applications are accepted electronically via Grants.gov. Submission deadlines may be found in Table 3 of the RCS funding opportunity document (RFA). The RCS RFA must be used in conjunction with the 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
• Template for RCS Mid-Term Reports for BLR&D and CSR&D Services
• Format for Curriculum Vitae for Research Career Scientist Applications
• Tips On Preparing Your Research Career Scientist Application
• Frequently Asked Questions