CEDA Grants

Since its inception in 1995, CEDA has made over eighty 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

A call for pilot proposals is issued annually, in December, but we are available and glad to discuss ideas for pilots at any time. 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.

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.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, but we request submission by early February each year for fullest consideration, with funding to begin in August.  Funded proposals are generally in the range of $15,000-$30,000 (direct costs, over one year), but larger proposals will be considered if well justified. 

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.​
  • ​ Be sure to 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 30th  of the year following the award year, and other requirements apply. If the proposal is selected for funding, CEDA will help develop a more formal budget as needed.

Please review the CEDA pilot call for proposals guidelines.

If you are thinking of submitting a proposal, you are welcome to email the CEDA director Will Dow (wdow@berkeley.edu) to discuss it, or for administrative questions contact Elie Draper (edraper@berkeley.edu). Submit the proposal by email to ceda@berkeley.edu.  The next round of proposals will be accepted with a due date of February 1, 2024.