NIA IMPACT Collaboratory Career Development Awards (CDA)

NIA IMPACT Collaboratory Career Development Awards (CDA) is sponsored by National Institute on Aging (NIA). These awards support early-stage MD, PhD, or equivalent researchers who seek careers conducting embedded Pragmatic Clinical Trials (ePCTs) for people living with Alzheimer's Disease and Related Dementias (AD/ADRD) and their care partners.

James L. Rudolph Career Development Award Program - NIA IMPACT Collaboratory James L. Rudolph Career Development Award Program The James L.

Rudolph Career Development Award recognizes promising investigators in honor of Dr. Rudolph’s distinguished career in gerontology, dementia, and palliative care, his enduring commitment to improving care for older adults, and his unwavering dedication to mentoring and inspiring the next generation of clinicians, researchers, and health professionals.

Dr. Rudolph was a leader in advancing models of care that support people living with dementia and their care partners, particularly within health systems. His work helped translate evidence-based dementia care into system-level solutions and reflected a deep commitment to mentoring and developing the next generation of investigators who carry this work forward. The IMPACT Collaboratory James L.

Rudolph Career Development Award (CDA) Program prepares emerging investigators to lead embedded pragmatic clinical trials (ePCTs) that improve care for people living with dementia (PLWD) and their care partners.

Through training, mentorship, and collaboration with experts in the field and healthcare systems, the program builds expertise in pragmatic trial methods and equips investigators to address the unique clinical, ethical, and implementation challenges of dementia care while conducting impactful, real-world research. Funding Opportunity Description The IMPACT Collaboratory will fund up to two career development awards annually.

These awards are designed to support the development of early-stage investigators (MD, PhD, or equivalent) whose long-term career goals are centered on conducting ePCTs to improve care for PLWD and their care partners. Candidates should demonstrate a sustained commitment to this area of research, as the awards are designed to foster the next generation of leaders in ePCTs in dementia care.

This mechanism will fund research projects that are preparatory to conducting a future ePCT such as secondary data analysis, intervention development, or the development of outcomes to be used in ePCTs. Clinical trials, as defined by NIH , are not allowed for this mechanism. Awards are for two years.

Each award will provide $240,000 in total direct costs, and facilities & administrative (indirect) costs may not exceed 8% of total direct costs. Each year, at least $20,000 in direct costs must be allocated for research-related expenses, such as travel, publication costs, analytic, technical or project support, data acquisition, certified translations, or other activities directly related to the goals of the award.

Awardees are required to devote a minimum of 50% effort toward the goals of the award. Career Development Award Program Request for Applications Released June 23, 2026 at 4 pm ET ( Register here ) Eligible individuals include MD, PhD, or equivalent researchers who are pursuing careers focused on conducting ePCTs for PLWD and their care partners.

Candidates are typically within seven years of their post-doctoral training at the time of application. Exceptions may be considered for researchers beyond seven years who can demonstrate a meaningful shift in career focus toward research on ePCTs in dementia care. Such candidates must request prior approval by emailing the rationale for the request to IMPACTcollaboratory@hsl.

harvard. edu . The request should be submitted well in advance of the application deadline.

By the time the award is made, the candidate must hold a faculty appointment at a US-based academic institution and be a US citizen, non-citizen national, or lawfully admitted permanent resident (i.e., possess a currently valid Permanent Resident Card USCIS Form I-551, or other legal verification of such status).

Candidates must meet the following requirements to be considered for the CDA Program: Demonstrate a clear commitment to pursuing a career in conducting ePCTs for PLWD and their care partners. This commitment should be evident through relevant training, clinical work, publications, or research projects focused on improving dementia care.

Demonstrate foundational training (post-graduate) in fundamental clinical research methods and completed training in ethical conduct of clinical research. Provide evidence of prior research productivity that reflects a genuine commitment to improving the care and oucomes of PLWD and/or care partners.

Identify a mentoring team that collectively includes expertise in: (a) conducting ePCTs for PLWD and/or their care partners; (b) organizational change within health care systems; and (c) professional development of clinical researchers. Develop a robust two-year training plan in collaboration with their mentoring team, focused on building the skills and experience in conduct of ePCTs for PLWD and/or care partners.

The training plan is an essential component of the CDA application. Plans limited to directed readings and meetings with mentors will not be considered sufficient. Propose a research project designed to: (a) build competency and experience in ePCTs among PLWD; and (b) generate preliminary, publishable data that will provide a foundation for research focusing on ePCTs for PLWD and/or care partners.

Projects may employ a variety of research methods, such as primary or secondary data analysis, intervention development, outcome measure development, or qualitative methods. Ideally, the research project will position the candidate for a future pilot ePCT.

Exceptional candidates will demonstrate meaningful collaboration with leadership in a targeted health care system, shown through an existing or planned relationship with leaders in the health care system where the research will be conducted or through a mentor’s ongoing research within the system. An informational webinar provides investigators with an overview of application details.

CDA Program Webinar Overview Frequently Asked Questions A set of frequently asked questions (FAQ) regarding this award is available online at Career Development Award FAQ - NIA IMPACT Collaboratory Required Materials & Resources CDA Program Webinar Overview Career Development Award Application Due This is a shortened version of the video. To see the full-length version, click here .