VA Rural Health Career Development Award (RHCDA)

Dr. M. Bryant Howren
matthew.howren@va.gov

Funding to support early career investigators in developing a research program focused on issues of relevance to rural veterans. The award will provide protected time, research funding, and methodologic guidance to help recipients develop an innovative program of research in rural veterans' health and support their overall career development as an independently-funded investigator.

At the end of the two-year funding period, it is expected that RHCDA recipients will submit an application for funding to further support research targeting rural veterans. This could include, but is not limited to, a VHA ORH pilot proposal, VA Health Systems Research (HSR) CDA, VA HSR Pilot Project, VA HSR Investigator Initiated Research (IIR) project, or other VA Program Office proposal.

Rural research agenda

Eligibility criteria:

1. Dedication to a research program focused on rural veterans' health
2. Evidence of prior training that has provided the applicant with a sufficient foundation of knowledge and skills to meet proposed objectives and give reviewers an indication of whether the award will lead to achievable research and career goals
3. Evidence of early integration into the VA research environment through work with VA investigators, understanding of VA research in the applicant's area of interest, and importance/relevance of aims to rural veterans
4. An established relationship with a VA mentor who has current or past VA or other federal agency funding
5. Be within five years of their doctoral or clinical training or, if applicable, a clinical, research, or postdoctoral fellowship
6. Clinicians and non-U.S. citizens must currently have a VA appointment (or letter from their facility stating eligibility for hire if funded) and the ability to dedicate up to 6/8ths effort or equivalent
7. Other applicants must either (a) be employed by VA and have the ability to dedicate up to 6/8ths effort or equivalent, or (b) have a Without Compensation (WOC) appointment and be eligible for IPA agreement or VA research employment at up to 6/8ths or equivalent if funded

Recipients will receive up to 75% protected time and salary support (based on their VA salary) for 2 years. Awardees will also receive up to $60,000 per year for two years to support their research plan and travel funds to attend the National Rural Health Association (NRHA) annual meeting.

Up to 5 awards will be made to begin in FY2027, one each for the five Veterans Rural Health Resource Centers.

RHCDA will provide support for up to two years per awardee. A second year of funding is contingent upon the recipient demonstrating adequate progress during the initial year of funding.

Email a 1-page letter of intent to matthew.howren@va.gov by October 31, 2025. Selected applicants will be invited to submit a full application, with a deadline of March 6, 2026.

Applicants will be evaluated on the basis of 5 criteria.

• Demonstrated commitment to pursuing a research career related to rural health that improves the health of rural veterans and rural healthcare delivery systems (those with a track record of prior work in rural veterans' health will be given priority).
• Potential for successful continuation of a rural-focused program of research funded through VHA ORH, VA HSR, a VA program office, or other funding entity within two years of receiving a RHCDA
• Appropriateness of the expertise match between the mentor/s and the applicant
• Quality and feasibility of the proposed research plan
• Projects that include primary data collection, provide services to veterans, engage veteran feedback in service design, or enhance quality of care or access to care will be prioritized