va research career development opportunities
TRANSCRIPT
VA Research Career Development Opportunities
Pauline Sieverding, JD, PhDOffice of Research & Development (ORD)
Department of Veterans Affairs
May 14, 2010
Outline of Presentation
Intro to VHA
VA Office of Research & Development
VA Research Career Development Program
Veterans Health Administration
Operates the Nation’s Largest Integrated Health Care System
6 million patients annually 153 hospitals 900 freestanding clinics 135 nursing homes 207 readjustment counseling centers Trained 1/3 of all practicing MDs $36 billion budget
VHA Electronic Medical Record
• Includes virtually all clinical information• Provides broad research value in aging medicine
Information Characteristic Added per Workday Added in 2006
Progress Notes +638k 874 M
Orders +955k 1.65 B
Images +884k 590 M
Vital Signs +729k 1.06 B
In-Pt Meds Administered +607k 850 M
VHA Office of Research & Development
Overarching Mission :
“To discover knowledge, develop VA researchers and health care leaders, and to create innovations that advance health care for our veterans and the nation .”
Best Care Anywhere
VHA Office of Research & Development
Service FY08 $
VA Research $480m
VA Medical Care $411m
Non-VA Federal Sources (e.g., NIH) $708m
Non-Federal Sources $206m
Total $1.8 Billion
Sources of Research Support for VA Investigators
VHA Office of Research & Development
VA Research Strengths
Large, integrated national system Electronic medical record Accessible, centralized clinical databases Outstanding investigators with strong academic
affiliations Centers of Excellence & Resource Centers provide
research advice Strong investigator mentoring program Organizational structure that facilitates implementation
VHA Office of Research & Development
An Intramural Program
Principal investigators must be employed at least 5/8ths by VA K-Award Waiver possible
Currently conducting more than 10,000 research projects at more than 100 VA Medical Centers
Co-Investigators can be non-VA
VHA Office of Research & Development
An Intramural Program
Funding allocated on the basis of nationally competitive peer review of scientific merit use NIH eRA commons for VA review management
Allocates funds for research & research administration only to VA Research Facilities
Research should be applicable to veterans
VA Research Services in Office of Research & Development
Biomedical Laboratory Research & Development (BLR&D)
Clinical Sciences Research & Development (CSR&D)
Health Services Research & Development (HSR&D)
Rehabilitation Research & Development (RR&D)
VA’s Research Career Development Program
Goal is to ensure a strong and stable capacity of VA scientists to address the health care needs of America’s veterans.
The mechanism to achieve this goal is to provide qualified, early career post-doctoral researchers, both clinical and non-clinical, with the opportunity to receive mentoring intended to advance toward an independent career as a VA scientist.
VA Career Development Program Statistics
Number of VA Investigators Receiving CDAs:
BLR&D / CSR&D (Medical): Over 1000 in 50 years of career program
HSRD: ~250
RR&D: ~100
CDA funding rate is approx 20-23%
Overview of VA Career Development Program
Scope of program & opportunities remain broad.
Applicants must be US Citizens.
Applicant need not currently be with VA to apply eligibility is ‘Just in Time’
Applicant selects appropriate research service.
Each service administers review boards.
VHA Research Career Development Program
4 Types of CD Awards based on Research Experience:
CDA-1 - Career Development Award Level 1
CDA-2 - Career Development Award Level 2
CDTA - Career Development Transition Award
CDEA - Career Development Enhancement Award
Career Development Award Level 1 (CDA-1)
for HSRD & RRD Entry level clinicians & non-clinicians:
Academic rank not above instructorApplicant < 2 years beyond completion of
training:Non-clinician: completion of doctorate.Clinician: residency, internship, clinical fellowship,
etc.Can not have been a PI on a peer-reviewed
independent research program supported by a national level-public or private-agency.
CDA-1 (Continued)
Review criteria emphasize: candidate’s qualifications, mentorship, career development plan, strong and appropriate research plan and demonstrated commitment to research.
Provides salary support up to 2 years.
Successful outcomes:Gain research experience to submit an application for a
CDA-2 award 6 months prior to end of CDA-1 award.
First Author Research Publication.
Career Development Award Level 2 (CDA-2)
ORD-Wide
Mid-level clinicians & non-clinicians: Academic rank not generally above Assist. Prof.
Applicant <5 years beyond completion of training as defined in CDA-1.
Some research accomplishments (one first authored research publication in appropriate area) but will not have been a PI on a peer-reviewed project supported by national level agency in excess of $50,000/year.
CDA-2 (continued) Review criteria as listed for CDA-1 with more emphasis on research plan. Provides salary support for 3-5 years. Can request research support from $10K to $50K.Successful outcomes: All awardees should have submitted a VA merit-review proposal by end of award period. Evidence of productivity (e.g., publications,patents, abstracts of presentations at national meetings)
Career Development Transition Award (CDTA)
ORD-Wide
Open ONLY to clinician researchers Academic rank not above Assoc. Prof.
Applicant < 10 years beyond completion of training
An approved/submitted VA Merit Review Award as PI
Salary support up to 3 years
CDTA (Continued)
Review criteria include productivity, demonstrated commitment to VA, career development plan including transition to independence.
Successful outcomes:Excellent, well-funded (at least 1 VA Merit Review
Award) and independent VA clinician researcher.
Evidence of productivity (i.e. publications, patents, etc.).
Career Development Enhancement Award (CDEA)
ORD-Wide Senior VA scientist, clinician and non-clinician.
Strong, independent research record over at least 6 years and an on-going research program, including a current VA Merit Review Award.
Academic rank equivalent to Professor.
Provides a maximum of six months salary support, including benefits (non-renewable)
Successful outcome include continued productivity as VA researcher for at least 3 years post award that includes knowledge gained.
VA Career Development ProgramImportant Deadlines
For All ServicesLetter-of-Intent / Full Application
April 15 / June 15October 15 / December 15
Your Next Steps
Go to our website
www.research.va.gov Resources
Your VA Research OfficeYour VA Colleagues & Mentors
ORD Central Office Program Staff
LOOKING FOR A FEW GOOD RESEARCHERS
LOOKING FOR A FEW GOOD RESEARCHERS