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Find similar grantsResearch Career Development Program (CDA-1 and CDA-2) is sponsored by U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Research. This opportunity supports mission-aligned projects and measurable outcomes.
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Career Development Program Talk to the Veterans Crisis Line now Veterans Benefits and Health Care × We're here anytime, day or night — 24/7 If you are a Veteran in crisis or concerned about one, connect with our caring, qualified responders for confidential help. Many of them are Veterans themselves.
Call 800-273-8255 and press 1 Start a confidential chat Call TTY if you have hearing loss 800-799-4889 Get more resources at VeteransCrisisLine. net . » Career Development Program Office of Research & Development Career Development Program Important Resources for VA Researchers and Applicants Program Guide 1200.
04: Career Development Program Request for Application (RFA) documents are available on the VA Research Intranet only. If you have VA network access, copy and paste this URL into your browser: vaww. research.
va. gov/funding/rfa. cfm .
If not, please reach out to the Research Office at your local VA Medical Center to discuss the application process. The Research Career Development Program is an award series under which both clinically and non-clinically trained researchers may gain protected time for a mentored research experience intended to advance awardees toward independence as funded VA investigators.
Awardees from this program have become national and international leaders in their research fields. Awards are provided in all areas of Investigators, Scientific Review & Management (ISRM), including Brain, Behavioral and Mental Health (BBMH), Health Systems Research (HSR), Medical Health (MH), and Rehabilitation Research and Development and Translation (RRDT) Broad Portfolios.
It is expected that the applicant, with sufficient input from the mentor(s), will carefully choose a research project that is feasible and integrates the nominee's background and interests to form the foundation for a successful VA research career. 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 for a 2 year duration. 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.
CDEA: The Career Development Enhancement Award provides an opportunity for more senior VA scientists to learn new research skills at a unique facility for a period of up to one year. The ISRM portfolio supporting the majority of the candidate's VA research may approve funding to support an Extended Educational Leave as approved by the investigator's local VA facility.
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, clinicians, and PhDs, who have the appropriate experience and training.
Nominees should work closely with their sponsoring research office to prepare a preapplication, which is the first step in the review process. If the preapplication is approved, the nominee may prepare an application in accordance with one of the Career Development Award RFAs. The sponsoring VA research office must submit the application on behalf of the nominee.
The deadlines for preapplications for each review cycle are listed below. Note: If the deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, submission is due the next business day. Early submission of preapplications is encouraged.
(Deadline dates and contacts are summarized below.) For questions about the Career Development Award Program: vhacadereview@va. gov Questions about VA Research or the website?
Email VA Research 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.
Veteran programs and services Adaptive sports and special events National Resource Directory VA health care access and quality Accredited claims representatives State Veterans Affairs offices Visit a medical center or regional office Espanol | Tagalog | Other languages U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs | 810 Vermont Avenue, NW Washington DC 20420 Updated/Reviewed: 2026-03-10
Based on current listing details, eligibility includes: Both clinicians and non-clinicians. Candidates need not have a VA appointment at the time of application but must be nominated by a VA facility and identify an appropriate VA mentor. Applicants should confirm final requirements in the official notice before submission.
Current published award information indicates Protected time for mentored research experience Always verify allowable costs, matching requirements, and funding caps directly in the sponsor documentation.
The current target date is rolling deadlines or periodic funding windows. Build your timeline backwards from this date to cover registrations, approvals, attachments, and final submission checks.
Federal grant success rates typically range from 10-30%, varying by agency and program. Build a strong proposal with clear objectives, measurable outcomes, and a well-justified budget to improve your chances.
Requirements vary by sponsor, but typically include a project narrative, budget justification, organizational capability statement, and key personnel CVs. Check the official notice for the complete list of required attachments.
Yes — AI tools like Granted can help research funders, draft proposal sections, and check compliance. However, always review and customize AI-generated content to reflect your organization's unique strengths and the specific requirements of the solicitation.
Review timelines vary by funder. Federal agencies typically take 3-6 months from submission to award notification. Foundation grants may be faster, often 1-3 months. Check the program's timeline in the official solicitation for specific dates.
Many federal programs offer multi-year funding or allow competitive renewals. Check the official solicitation for continuation and renewal policies. Non-competing continuation applications are common for multi-year awards.
Past winners and funding trends for this program