Veterans Health Administration Research Opportunities

1. Veterans Health Administration Research Opportunities What you need to know to submit proposals to the Veterans Health Administration 11/2013 Presented by: Patricia Fox, Administrative Officer for Research Department of Veterans Affairs John D. Dingell VA Medical Center November 14, 2013

2. ELIGIBILITY FOR VA RESEARCH SUPPORTVHA Handbook 1200.15 The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) research program is an intramural program. The Office of Research and Development (ORD) allocates appropriated medical and prosthetic research funds to VA medical facilities for scientifically meritorious research related to the high-priority health care needs of Veterans to be conducted by VA employees. Unlike agencies such as NIH and the Department of Defense, VA does not have statutory authority to make research grants to colleges, universities, or an other non-VA entity. Research services within ORD include: Biomedical Laboratory Research & Development (BLR&D), Clinical Science Research & Development (CSR&D), Rehabilitation Research & Development (RR&D), Health Services Research & Development.

3. Research funds may only be awarded if the Principal Investigator (PI) and any Co-PI have employment status and activities that demonstrate a primary professional commitment to VA. This commitment must meet the following requirements: VA Employment status – A current VA paid appointment of at least 25 hours per week (5/8ths) is required before a project can be funded. Physical presence at VA – VA research must be conducted, principally, in a VA facility. VA Information Systems – VA investigators must use VA email for VA correspondence and VA business, and must comply will all VA privacy and information security requirements. Commitment to VA – The PI’s curriculum vitae or biographic sketch must provide evidence of past and current roles and responsibilities within VA. Please note: Acceptance of VA research funds constitutes acceptance of VHA policy regarding the acknowledgement of VA support in publications and presentations. ELIGIBILITY FOR VA RESEARCH SUPPORTVHA Handbook 1200.15 Divider Page

4. This guidance supports eligibility to submit a Merit Review Proposal in the BLR&D or CSR&D Programs. General acceptance into the intramural program is granted for three years. An applicant need not be a current VA employee. It is required that individuals accepted into the intramural program will conduct their research at the VAMC, participate in VA research service activities, and be available for local or national service. Requirements: Applicant must be a current U.S. citizen, have a firm date for being sworn in as a U.S. citizen, or have a current VA-paid appointment and submit proof. This program is only for non-clinician investigators with a doctoral degree. Non-Clinician Eligibility Divider Page

5. An eligibility request package consists of: 1. Nomination letter signed by the ACOS/Research, Chief of Staff, and Medical Center Director. 2. Statement addressing how the applicant may add to the VA’s programmatic interests. 3. A description of proposed research, limited to one page. 4. A full Curriculum Vitae. 5. Proof of citizenship Submission deadlines: December 1 and June 1 All submissions must be submitted to the VA Research Office. Non-Clinician Eligibility Divider Page

6. This program supports investigator-initiated research conducted by eligible VA investigators at VA medical centers or VA-approved sites. This is BLR&D and CSR&D’s principal mechanism for funding basic, preclinical biomedical and behavioral studies, as well as clinical studies of disorders and diseases of importance to the health of veterans. The BLR&D purview includes laboratory studies, both in vitro and in vivo, including tissue culture, animal models and studies on human biological samples. The CSR&D purview includes interventional, experimental, and observational studies involving human subjects. Note: Merit Review funding is intended to support research by fully-trained independent investigators. BLR&D and CSR&D Merit Review Award Program Divider Page

7. Rehabilitation Research’s (RR&D) mission is to advance optimal rehabilitative healthcare for veterans with disabilities, and to improve the health and rehabilitative care of veterans and our Nation. An approved Letter of Intent (LOI) is required before submitting new or resubmitted proposals for a full or pilot-study proposal. Full proposal: Full proposals are funded up to $925,000 for no more than four years, with a maximum of $300,000 in any year. Pilot proposal: Pilot proposals are funded up to $75,000 per year and may be funded up to two years. All applicants must hold a minimum 5/8ths VA salaried position before a research project can be funded. RR&D’s website: www.rehab.research.va.gov Rehabilitation Research Merit Review Award Program Divider Page

8. The Career Development Program is an award series under which both clinically and non-clinically trained post-doctoral research may gain mentored research time intended to advance awardees toward independence as funded VA scientists. Candidates must be nominated by a VA Medical Center, but do not need to be VA employees to be considered for the Career Development Program. Nominees who are not VA employees at the time of application must have a VA appointment by the start date of funding. There are two levels of award, CDA-1 and CDA-2. CDA-1: This award provides initial mentored research experience, consisting of up to two years of salary support. Non-clinician nominees need to be no more than two years beyond completion of their Ph.D. or doctoral equivalent. CDA-2: This award provides salary and/or project funds to support a three to five year program of research career development and mentoring. Non-clinician nominees need to be no more than five years beyond completion of their Ph.D. or doctoral equivalent. Research Career Development Program Divider Page

9. The application for a Career Development starts with an LOI. Nominees need to work closely with the VA R&D Office to prepare the LOI and application. Information on deadlines, guidance for preparing LOIs and proposals, and Frequently Asked Questions are posted on the ORD website at: www.research.va.gov Research Career Development Program Divider Page

10. Health Services Research and Development Health Services Research and Development’s (HSR&D) mission is to advance knowledge and promote innovations in quality, effectiveness, efficiency, cost, and accessibility of health service to improve the health and care of Veterans. The three main types of HSR&D programs include: Programs that directly support scientific research and development; Programs that build health services research capacity within VA; and Programs that strengthen VA’s health services research infrastructure. The application process for HSR&D is accomplished completely on-line. If you are interested in applying for this program, please contact the VA R&D Office directly.

11. VA Research Office Contacts Glenn W. Kaatz, M.D, Associate Chief of Staff for Research (ACOS) Patricia Fox, Administrative Officer, 313-576-3106, patricia.fox2@va.gov Timothy Hadden, Ph.D., Safety Officer, 313-576-4468, timothy.hadden@va.gov Robert Molitoris, Program Support Specialist, 313-576-4474, robert.molitoris@va.gov Sam McVean, Program Support Assistant, 313-576-3767, samuel.mcvean@va.gov Stephen Griffin, Program Support Assistant, 313-576-3430, stephen.griffin@va.gov Michael Kincannon, Program Support Assistant, 313-576-4475, michael.kincannon@va.gov VA Research website: www.detroit.va.gov/Research/index.asp Emails can also be submitted to: VHADETASKRESEARCH@va.gov