Office of Research & Development

VA ORD-Wide Programs

Program for Research Integrity Development & Education (PRIDE)

The mission of the Program for Research Integrity Development & Education is to protect participants in VA human research. PRIDE is responsible for all policy development and guidance, and all training and education in human research protection throughout the VA.

Technology Transfer Program (TTP)

The Technology Transfer Program serves the American public by translating the results of worthy discoveries made by VA employees into practice. The program educates inventors concerning their rights and obligations, rigorously evaluates all inventions, obtains patents, and assists in the commercialization of new products.

Cooperative Studies Program (CSP)

The VA Cooperative Studies Program is the Division of VA Research and Development that is responsible for the planning and conduct of large multicenter clinical trials in the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Million Veteran Program (MVP)

The VA Million Veteran Program (MVP) is a national, voluntary research program conducted by the Department of Veterans Affairs Office of Research & Development.

Health Disparities

Health Disparities: VHA has a long-standing portfolio of research addressing the challenges posed by minority health care needs and the disparities that arise in healthcare delivery, access, and quality.

QUERI

VA/HSR&D's Quality Enhancement Research Initiative (QUERI) works to improve the quality of healthcare for veterans by implementing research findings into routine clinical practice.

Biosafety & Biosecurity

The VA Office of Research and Development (ORD) has developed its Biosafety & Biosecurity Program to ensure the safety of individuals involved with research at Veterans Health Administration research laboratories and to protect the environment. The program strives to ensure the security and safety of all individuals, resources, information, biological agents, chemical agents and radiation materials/sources found within research laboratories.

VA Biorepository Brain Bank Program

The VA Biorepository Brain Bank Program makes tissue samples available for research on illnesses in Veterans.

Animal Research

Animal Research: The primary mission of the CVMO's office is to provide professional and administrative guidance and support to VA field animal care and use programs. This is accomplished by phone and email consultations, periodic training sessions, and development of web-based support systems.

REQUIP

The VA Research Equipment Quick Use Initiative Program (REQUIP) is responsible for the redistribution of nonexpendable research equipment including equipment for the care and use of animals.

Women's Health

VA R&D Women's Health was established as a research priority to develop new knowledge about how to best provide for the health and care of women veterans. VA has built an increasingly productive portfolio of biomedical, clinical, rehabilitation and health services research since the early 1990's.

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Funded Field Centers

HSR&D Centers of Innovation (COINs)
(click for more detail about HSR&D's COINs and Resource Centers

Center for Clinical Management Research

Ann Arbor, MI
The Center for Clinical Management Research (CCMR) combines the expertise of more than 40 scientists from the VA Ann Arbor Healthcare System, collaborates with researchers across the nation, and partners with VA clinical leaders and managers, in order to implement and evaluate different ways to make healthcare more patient-centered, effective, safer, and more affordable. CCMR's mission is to advance knowledge, promote innovations, and engage in collaborations that will improve the health and health care of Veterans and the nation

Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research

Bedford, MA and Boston, MA
The mission of the Center for Healthcare Organization and Implementation Research (CHOIR) is to improve Veterans' health outcomes by developing, studying and applying evidence-based practices that will be widely implemented and sustained.

Charleston Health Equity and Rural Outreach Innovation Center

Charleston, SC
The focus of the Charleston Health Equity and Rural Outreach Innovation Center (HEROIC) is to improve access and equity in healthcare for all Veterans by eliminating geographic, racial/ethnic, and gender-based disparities.

Center for Health Services Research in Primary Care

Durham, NC
The Center for Health Services Research in Primary Care conducts high-quality research on strategies that enhance the delivery, access, quality, and cost-effectiveness of primary care for Veterans and the VA healthcare system.

Center of Innovation for Complex Chronic Healthcare

Hines, IL
The Center of Innovation for Complex Chronic Healthcare (CINCCH) engages in activities that enhance the provision of patient-centered, evidence-based care, and identify new effective models of healthcare delivery.

Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness and Safety

Houston, TX
The mission of the Center for Innovations in Quality, Effectiveness and Safety (IQuESt) is to improve the quality, effectiveness, and safety of healthcare through patient-centered communication and coordination.

Center for Health Information and Communication

Indianapolis, IN
The mission of the Center for Health Information and Communication (CHIC) is to generate knowledge about the design and utility of innovative health information technology (HIT) approaches to improve the quality and outcomes of care.

Center for Comprehensive Access & Delivery Research and Evaluation

Iowa City, IA
The Center for Comprehensive Access & Delivery Research and Evaluation (CADRE) develops, implements and tests innovative strategies that expand access to high-quality primary and specialty care, while ensuring that the care delivered is safe and free of preventable infections.

Center for the Study of Healthcare Innovation, Implementation and Policy

Los Angeles, CA
The mission of the Center for the Study of Healthcare Innovation, Implementation and Policy (CSHIIP) is to develop and test innovations for improving the effectiveness and value of VA healthcare.

Center for Chronic Disease Outcomes Research

Minneapolis, MN
The mission of the Center for Chronic Disease Outcomes Research (CCDOR) is to enhance (through research, education, dissemination and implementation activities) patient engagement in and provider use of evidence-based practices for chronic disease.

Center of Innovation on Disability and Rehabilitation Research

North Florida/South Georgia and Tampa
The Center of Innovation on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (CINDRR) identifies and develops strategies for improving inpatient and outpatient rehabilitation services, as well as the long-term management of disability, including issues that impact family members.

Center for Mental Healthcare and Outcomes Research

North Little Rock, AR
The Center for Mental Healthcare and Outcomes Research (CeMHOR) conducts innovative research to improve access to and engagement in evidence-based mental health and substance use care to optimize outcomes for Veterans

Center for Innovation to Implementation (Ci2i): Fostering High Value Care

Palo Alto, CA
The mission of the Center for Innovation to Implementation (Ci2i): Fostering High Value Care is to produce health services research that informs how VHA operational partners pursue healthcare through better access, higher quality, and wiser use of resources.

Center for Health Equity Research & Promotion

Pittsburgh and Philadelphia, PA
The mission of the Center for Health Equity Research & Promotion (CHERP) is to advance the quality and equity of health and healthcare for Veterans through rigorous health services research, collaborations, partnerships and operations and policy stakeholders, research training and mentoring, and service.

Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care

Portland, OR
The Center to Improve Veteran Involvement in Care (CIVIC) conducts research that empower Veterans to improve their health by enhancing active participation of Veterans and their supports in healthcare.

Center of Innovation in Long-Term Services and Supports for Vulnerable Veterans

Providence, RI
The vision for the Center of Innovation in Long-Term Services and Supports for Vulnerable Veterans is to stimulate and develop research that will enhance the implementation of programs to support the mission of VA's Geriatrics and Extended Care Service in maximizing Veterans' social participation and quality of life in the least restrictive setting possible.

Informatics, Decision-Enhancement and Analytic Sciences Center

Salt Lake City, UT
The mission of the Informatics, Decision-Enhancement and Analytic Sciences Center (IDEAS 2.0) to advance scientific discovery, implement novel interventions, promote cross-center collaboration, increase research capacity, and engage operational partners in order to improve the health of Veterans.

Center for Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care

Seattle, WA and Denver, CO
The Center for Innovation for Veteran-Centered and Value-Driven Care conducts research that promotes Veteran-centered and value-driven care, generate and disseminate knowledge that contributes to the well-being of Veterans, partner with VA policy and operational leaders to implement research findings into clinical care, and train the next generation of health services researchers and leaders.

Pain Research, Informatics, Multi-morbidities, and Education

West Haven, CT
The mission of the Pain Research, Informatics, Multi-morbidities, and Education (PRIME) Center mission is to study the interactions between pain and associated chronic conditions and behavioral health factors. This will help to develop and implement effective interventions that can reduce pain, its negative impacts on emotional and physical functioning, and overall disease burden by employing principles of medical informatics, behavioral science, and health services research.

Boston, MA
The Center for Information Dissemination and Education Resources (CIDER) is a VA Health Services Research and Development Service (HSR&D) national Resource Center. Established in June 2004, CIDER's mission is to improve the health and care of veterans by disseminating important HSR&D findings and information to policy makers, managers, clinicians, and researchers throughout VA and the broader health care community.

Hines, IL
The VA Information Resource Center (VIREC) was established in July 1998 to support researchers who use databases and informatics by providing an infrastructure of database and informatics experts, customer service, expert advice, information products, and Web technology to VA researchers and others.

Menlo Park, CA
The Health Economics Resource Center is a national center that assists VA researchers in assessing the cost-effectiveness of medical care, evaluating the efficiency of VA programs and providers, and conducting high-quality health economics research.

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RR&D Centers and REAPs

Atlanta, GA
The mission of the Atlanta VAMC Rehabilitation R&D; Center for Visual and Neurocognitive Rehabilitation (CVNR) is to foster the health and well-being of veterans through uniquely synergistic research impacting visual and/or neurocognitive function.

Bedford, MA
The mission of the Social and Community Reintegration Research (SoCRR) Program is to build VA's capacity for high quality research focusing on sustaining and/or recovering full community involvement by Veterans with psychiatric and/or medical disorders. Our research aims to advance the understanding of how these disabilities impact community involvement (e.g. work, education, family and social relationships), and to improve clinical practices designed to help Veterans sustain full and active lives in the community.

Boston, MA
The RR&D Translational Research Center for TBI and Stress Disorders (TRACTS) promotes multidisciplinary research aimed at improving our understanding of the complex cognitive and emotional problems faced by OEF/OIF/OND veterans. The Center focuses on innovations in the diagnosis of mild TBI and in the development of treatments that target the combined effects of TBI and stress-related disorders. This goal is accomplished in part with an extensive longitudinal cohort study that includes advanced neuroimaging techniques, genetics and data that will lead to the development of a deep characterization of the clinical phenotypes that affect this generation of veterans.

Bronx, NY
The Center for Medical Consequences of Spinal Cord Injury identifies, investigates, and develops interventions to treat the secondary health conditions and disabilities of SCI. SCI affects more than 40,000 Veterans nationwide and is associated with limitations to activity, muscular dysfunction, bone loss, respiratory impairment, gut motility disorders, metabolic disturbances, and premature cardiovascular disease.

Cleveland, OH
The Center for Advanced Platform Technology (APT) develops advanced technologies that serve the clinical needs of veterans with motor and sensory deficits and limb loss to provide clinician-researchers within the VA with new tools for rehabilitation, treatment and scientific inquiry that lead to independence and enhanced societal participation.

Cleveland, OH
The Center for Functional Electrical Stimulation investigates functional electrical stimulation (FES), a technology that relies on controlled electrical current to activate paralyzed muscles to return full or partial physical function to individuals with disabilities. Accomplishments include FDA approval of a hand grasp system and commencement of clinical trials of an advanced bladder/bowel management system.

Gainesville, Florida

The Brain Rehabilitation Research Center (BRRC) is a Center  in Gainesville, Florida, funded since 1999 by the Rehabilitation Research and Development Service. The mission of the BRRC is to develop and test treatments that harness neuroplasticity to substantially improve or restore motor, cognitive, and emotional functions impaired by neurologic disease or injury.

The BRRC coordinates the efforts of scientists and therapists from many different fields such as: bioengineering, communication sciences, computer programming, health psychology, kinesiology, medicine, neurology, neuroscience, occupational therapy, physical therapy, physiology, psychology, rehabilitation science, and speech therapy. Types of research conducted at the BRRC include work on robotics, computer simulation, brain imaging, genetic influences on recovery of function, drugs that may enhance the brain's response to physical and behavioral therapies, and translational research that facilitates the exchange between laboratory and clinical science to hasten and improve research findings.

Iowa City, IA
Research at the Center for the Prevention and Treatment of Visual Loss focuses on the early detection of potential blinding disorders of the Veteran and general population, including retinal disease, glaucoma, and traumatic brain injury. We are testing new ways of determining the earlier signs of progression and response to treatment, and developing new treatment innovations to improve the quality of vision and life. Areas of exploration include the use of telemedicine and computer aided diagnosis for the detection of eye disease, as well as neuroprotection and neuromodulation for prevention of nerve loss and restoration of function.

Los Angeles, CA

Homelessness in Veterans is a widespread, vexing problem, and an urgent priority at the national level. The VA has made substantial progress in housing Veterans. Despite impressive progress in providing housing for Veterans, a fundamental problem remains. Permanent housing is a necessary, but not sufficient, condition for successful community integration. Providing housing is only the first step in facilitating recovery among many homeless Veterans; once housed, they will need different types of assistance to integrate into communities. Community integration does not arise automatically once housing is provided.

Our REAP on Enhancing Community Integration for Homeless Veterans is linked to the homeless programs at VA Greater Los Angeles to serve as an interdisciplinary center for intervention and translational research. This REAP fills a critical gap: the problem of community integration for Veterans once housing has been provided. The mission of this REAP on Enhancing Community Integration for Homeless Veterans is to understand and to improve community integration in homeless Veterans after they receive housing.

Contact: Michael F. Green, PhD: Michael.Green6@va.gov

Pittsburgh, PA
The Center for Wheelchairs and Associated Rehabilitation Engineering strives to improve the mobility and function of people with disabilities through advanced engineering in clinical research and medical rehabilitation. They have made important contributions in advanced wheelchair design, robotics and intelligent systems, human machine interfaces for manipulation and mobility, smart device applications for coaching Veterans and clinicians, and novel approaches to the delivery of assistive technology.

Portland, OR

The National Center for Rehabilitative Auditory Research (NCRAR) is the only VA National Center dedicated to addressing the needs of Veterans with hearing and auditory system disorders.

The NCRAR's cross-disciplinary program encompasses diagnosis and assessment, rehabilitation, and prevention. Specific research areas include aging and the auditory system, auditory rehabilitation, ear-brain system, hearing aids, hearing conservation, ototoxicity, tinnitus, traumatic brain injury (TBI), and vestibular evaluation and rehabilitation.

The Center also trains and mentors new scientists, disseminates information to clinicians who assess and treat Veterans with hearing disabilities, and serves as an educational and scientific resource for Veterans and the community.

Providence, RI
The Center for Neurorestoration and Neurotechnology (CfNN) strives to unify distinguished researchers and clinicians from the Providence VA Medical Center and Brown University, and its affiliated hospitals, to advance and translate neurotechnology to restore lost function. Specifically through its four focus areas and two support cores, the CfNN seeks to develop, test, and implement new therapies and technologies that can restore function in disorders of the nervous system that impair movement, emotion, or cognition in the Veteran population.

Seattle, WA
Our center's mission is to unite investigators in diverse fields in basic and clinical research to improve the quality of life and functional status of veteran amputees and veterans who are at risk for amputation. The two general areas of research are Limb Loss Prevention and Prosthetic Engineering. Our focus is on translational research with a three to five year timeline for clinical impact.

For more information please go to http://www.amputation.research.va.gov/

West Haven, CT
The goal of West Haven Center for Restoration of Nervous System Function is to develop new therapeutic approaches that will improve function and quality of life of Veterans with injuries of the nervous system. Our Center's focus, initially on SCI, MS, and nerve injury, has expanded to include major emphasis on neuropathic pain associated with traumatic nerve injury, traumatic limb amputation, injuries such as burn, and disorders such as diabetic neuropathy.

Our Center brings together multiple research teams in a focused, multidisciplinary effort to capitalize on the "molecular revolution". We are a world-wide bub for studies on pain genetics and pain pharmacogenomics, and are investigating, for example, why some Veterans experience intractable neuropathic pain after nerve injury, while others with similar injuries do not; and why some Veterans with neuropathic pain respond to pain pharmacotherapy while others do not. We want to harness this molecular knowledge to develop new and more effective approaches to therapy. While it is not yet here, we are moving as rapidly as we can toward the development of new, more effective and non-addictive pain medications, and believe that "personalized', genomically-guided pain treatment is an achievable objective.

For more information, please visit http://medicine.yale.edu/cnrr/about/index.aspx

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