rehabilitation r&d rcd award cynthia j. brown, md birmingham vamc university of alabama at...
TRANSCRIPT
Rehabilitation R&D RCD Award
Cynthia J. Brown, MD
Birmingham VAMC
University of Alabama at Birmingham
Overview
• Why Rehabilitation R&D ?
• Benefits & Potential Negatives of
VA-based Research
• The Application– Mentor Letter– Career Plan– Research Plan
Why Rehabilitation R&D?
Rehabilitation R&D Mission: “ to discover new knowledge to
advance optimal rehabilitative healthcare for veterans with disabilities and to create innovations that improve the health and rehabilitative care of veterans and the nation.”
VA RR&D Areas of Emphasis
• Mobility• Orthopedics• Disabilities as a consequence of aging• Neurological dysfunction• Visual and hearing impairment• Rehabilitation outcomes
(http://www1.va.gov)
Benefits of VA-based Research
• Broad range of fundable topics• Significant older veteran population • Variety of available research settings• Potential to broaden research into
multiple sites within VA system• Facility-specific or VISN-specific awards
available – Ex. VISN 7 CDA
Potential Negatives of VA-based Research
• Older VA population mostly male– Could impact research
• “Prestige”• NIH Loan Repayment Program
– VA-based Education Debt Reduction Program
• Full or Part-time VA employee• $40,000 over 5 years• Recent employee (6 months)
The Application
The Mentor
• Draft their letter• Should echo your career & research plan
– Mentor’s role in your training– Training activities planned
• Time available for you• Emphasize their prior successes as
mentor• Use mentor letter for additional details
Career Plan
• Emphasize prior training & funding
• Impact of research on veteran healthcare
• Benefit to candidate and the VA
• Be specific about training and new skills
• Where are you going and how will this help you get there?
Research Plan
• Applications are judged on:– Feasibility and merit of planned research– Relevance to VA– Commitment to VA Career– Anticipated long-term contribution to VA
Research Plan (cont.)
• “The proposed research plan is well described and the next logical step. It is somewhat large in scope, but given the applicant’s background and resources, it is appropriate. The relevance to the VA mission is excellent.”
Thank You !
Cynthia J. Brown, MD
Birmingham VAMC
GRECC 11-G Room 8225
1530 3rd Ave South
Birmingham, AL 35294-0001
Phone: (205) 933-8101 ext 7300
Fax: (205) 558-4749