Research
The VA San Diego Healthcare System’s Research & Development Service is one of the largest research programs in the Department of Veterans Affairs. Several VASDHS investigators have received the William S. Middleton Award – the highest national VA research award – for their cutting edge and influential contributions to the study of kidney function, HIV/AIDS, alcohol/drug addiction and memory.
About our research
Among the largest research programs in the VA system:
- Over $44.3 million in research funding in FY2023
- Active investigators: >200
- Active projects: >600
Improving patient care:
- Research focuses on Veteran health issues
- Staff stay abreast of medical breakthroughs
- Research attracts top quality physicians
- Participation in many large scale clinical studies
Areas of research
- Alcoholism & Addiction
- Alzheimer’s Disease
- Anxiety Disorders
- Cancer
- Cardiovascular Disease
- Dermatology
- Diabetes
- Geropsychiatry
- Hearing Loss
- HIV/AIDS
- Infectious Diseases
- Liver Disease
- Lung Disease
- Memory
- Mood Disorders
- Nursing
- OEF/OIF/OND Veteran Issues
- Pain Management
- Parkinson’s Disease
- Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Rehabilitation
- Shingles Vaccine
- Sleep Disorders
- Spinal Cord Injury
- Stroke
- Telemedicine
- Tobacco Cessation
- Traumatic Brain Injury
Special research programs
- Center of Excellence for Stress & Mental Health (CESAMH)
- Mental Illness Rehabilitation, Education and Clinical Centers (MIRECC)
- VA Cooperative Studies Program Network of Dedicated Enrollment Sites (CSP NODES)
- VA Women’s Health Practice-Based Research Network (WH-PBRN)
- VA Gordon Mansfield Consortium on Spinal Cord Injury
- VA Lung Cancer Precision Oncology Program (LPOP) Sub-Site
- Million Veterans Program (MVP)
- Center for AIDS Research (CFAR)*
*UCSD/VA San Diego Collaboration
Research opportunities
We encourage Veterans and non-Veterans to check this site periodically for research opportunities. Your participation helps us answer important research questions and improves health care for Veterans and the general population. Depending on the study, you may benefit from advanced medical treatment, and some studies offer modest reimbursement. Sign up today and share this information with Veterans, friends, and family. For details, visit our Research Opportunities page.
Contact Us
Research Office
VA San Diego Healthcare System
3350 La Jolla Village Drive
858-552-8585, ext. 7015
The Veterans Medical Research Foundation (VMRF)
The Veterans Medical Research Foundation was founded as a non-profit corporation in 1989, it administers additional funds for research studies at the VA San Diego Healthcare System.
- Over $18 million annual budget
- Partially funds 112 VA researchers
- Is one of the largest of 84 active VA Foundations in the nation