CEDA Grants

Since its inception in 1995, CEDA has made over one-hundred pilot grants, ranging in size from $3,000 to $65,000. A full list of past awards is available here.

CEDA Pilot awards are made possible through the support of the National Institute on Aging (NIA), and are intended to encourage and facilitate the development of new and innovative research lines. Pilot grants to CEDA affiliates are expected to lead to useful research and to the submission of much larger proposals to NIA and other funding agencies. Many of CEDA’s pilot grants have helped investigators develop proposals for significant extramural funding.

Call for Pilots

We are currently issuing a call for pilots, due August 30, 2024! Proposals are invited in areas of population studies encompassed by CEDA’s mission, including CEDA’s signature themes:

  • Mortality measurement
  • Policy and behavioral determinants of adult population health
  • Biodemography of aging
  • Macro consequences of global aging

We are especially prioritizing pilots by Early Stage or New Investigators, but invite investigators at all stages to submit proposals. 

Note that in order to receive NIA approval, the proposed research should focus primarily on health outcomes, health-related behaviors, and other health and demographic determinants. https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/notice-files/NOT-OD-16-025.html  There is some nuance to this NIH rule. Therefore, please contact us if you are unsure whether your research is suitable.

An important goal of the program is to generate competitive extramural research proposals to NIA and other funders, thus applicants should justify the need for pilot funds in order to successfully facilitate transition to larger research projects.

Internal decisions for inclusion in the grant application will be made in September.  If funded, the project funding year begins upon receipt of the award letter from NIA (approximately July 1, 2025) and continues until June 30, 2026

Eligibility

Must have or be eligible for PI status at Berkeley, or if at another institution, be a CEDA member.

Application Format and Process

  • Two to four-page proposal describing project aims, innovation, approach, research team, budget*, and timeline for pilot and future activities.​
  • ​ Indicate whether the project involves human subjects (if so, an approved IRB protocol will be required before funds will be released).
  • The proposal should also state whether it is expected that the research will lead to a regular NIH proposal. ​

* Funds can be used to pay a GSR, purchase data, conduct experiments, and other reasonable purposes.  Funds must be spent by June 30, 2026. If the proposal is selected for funding, CEDA will help develop a more formal budget as needed.

Please refer to the CEDA pilot call for proposals guidelines for more details.

If you are in doubt about the suitability of your proposed research area within the CEDA funding priorities, or need any assistance in developing your proposal idea, you are welcome to email the CEDA director Will Dow (wdow@berkeley.edu) to discuss. For administrative questions contact Elie Draper (edraper@berkeley.edu). Submit the proposal by August 30, 2024 to ceda@berkeley.edu.