USA Scholarships
Feeding Hope Clinical Research Grant 2026 - NEDA
This guide stays up for reference. Check the official website for the next round, or see what else closes in August.
The Feeding Hope Fund for Clinical Research Grant program from the National Eating Disorders Association funds clinically relevant human-participant pilot studies on eating disorders across the diagnostic spectrum. Since 2013 NEDA has awarded more than $2 million to researchers whose work can translate to care or prevention within one to five years; basic science without a near-term clinical path is not funded. Investigators choose one track per cycle: the Feeding Hope Award (up to $100,000 over two years for any eligible eating-disorders investigator) or the Early Career Investigator grant (up to $50,000 over one or two years for assistant professors and below, including postdoctoral and predoctoral researchers). You must be a US citizen or lawful permanent resident conducting research at a US institution when you apply, and you may serve as principal investigator on only one NEDA grant application per cycle (FHF or Early Career, not both). NEDA uses a two-stage process: open Letters of Intent, then invited full proposals. The 2025 timeline set LOIs due 25 August 2025, finalist invitations 15 September 2025, full grants due 7 October 2025, and awardee confirmations 15 December 2025. Watch nationaleatingdisorders.org for the 2026 Feeding Hope Fund announcement and IRB-ready project plans before the next LOI date.
What is the Feeding Hope Fund for Clinical Research Grant?
The Feeding Hope Fund for Clinical Research Grant is how the National Eating Disorders Association turns donor support into pilot data that clinics can actually use. NEDA has funded more than twenty investigators since 2013, putting over $2 million toward studies that sit between small university seed grants and massive federal awards. The fund cares about human participants, real-world settings, and timelines measured in years, not decades.
Each cycle splits into two lanes. The Feeding Hope Award carries up to $100,000 across two years for established eating-disorders researchers with innovative clinical or early-intervention ideas. The Early Career Investigator grant caps at $50,000 for assistant professors and junior scholars, including postdocs and predocs, who need preliminary data before chasing NIH or PCORI money. You cannot lead both applications in the same year.
Eligibility is strict on geography and citizenship. The PI must be a US citizen or lawful permanent resident affiliated with a US institution when the Letter of Intent arrives. Projects need a credible path from pilot outcomes to better screening, treatment, or prevention, especially for underserved groups NEDA highlights in every announcement. Pure basic science without that bridge is out. IRB approval gates the money, and annual reports keep awardees accountable.
NEDA runs a two-step competition. Everyone submits a LOI first; only invited teams write full proposals. The 2025 calendar locked LOIs on 25 August, finalist notices on 15 September, full grants on 7 October, and confirmations on 15 December. Use that rhythm as your planning baseline for 2026, but verify dates on nationaleatingdisorders.org/grant-announcement/ because NEDA skipped funding Feeding Hope awards in at least one recent cycle even while publishing guidelines.
For adjacent funding models, see the SNRS STTI Research Grant, the Pharmacology Toxicology Research Starter Grant, and the Nila Banton Smith Research Dissemination Grant. Direct questions and LOI files to [email protected].
Eligibility
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✓US citizen or lawful permanent resident PIThe principal investigator must be a United States citizen or lawful permanent resident conducting research at an institution within the United States at the time of submission.
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✓US-based research institutionWork must be performed at a US university, hospital, or research organization with appropriate IRB oversight. Funding is contingent on IRB approval and annual reporting.
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✓Clinically translatable human-participant researchProjects must involve clinically relevant pilot studies with human participants focused on eating disorders. Basic science without a path to clinical care or early intervention within one to five years will not be considered.
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✓One PI application per cycleEach investigator may submit only one grant application as PI per cycle, choosing either the Feeding Hope Award or the Early Career Investigator grant, not both.
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✓Early Career track rank capThe Early Career Investigator grant is limited to researchers at the assistant professor level or below, including postdoctoral and predoctoral investigators. The Feeding Hope Award is open to all eligible eating-disorders investigators.
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✓Priority for underserved populationsNEDA prioritizes studies involving underserved community members and projects that increase access to treatment for marginalized populations. Underrepresented groups in biomedical and clinical sciences are encouraged to apply.
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✓Limited concurrent NEDA fundingReviewers consider your research track record and other funding sources. Innovative projects not currently supported elsewhere, especially those targeting equity in care, receive priority.
Benefits
- Maximum funding Up to $100,000 over two years
- Investigator level Open to all eligible eating-disorders investigators
- Project focus Clinical care or early intervention translation (1-5 years)
- Equity priority Underserved communities and access expansion
- Preliminary data goal Pilot data for larger federal or foundation grants
- Basic science only Not funded
- Multi-PI stacking One NEDA PI application per cycle
- Maximum funding Up to $50,000 over one or two years
- Career stage Assistant professor or below (incl. postdoc / predoc)
- Project focus Pilot clinical or prevention studies with human participants
- Equity priority Underserved and understudied groups emphasized
- Duration flexibility One- or two-year budget periods
- Full R01-scale budget Not covered (pilot scale only)
- Non-US investigators Not eligible as PI
Document checklist
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✓Letter of Intent (open inquiry stage)Submit a LOI using NEDA's published format during the open inquiry window. The 2025 cycle due date was 25 August; download the current template from nationaleatingdisorders.org/grant-announcement/.
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✓NIH-style Biosketch for PI and key personnelInclude a Biosketch for the PI and each co-investigator, graduate student, or consultant listed on the project, following NEDA's posted instructions.
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✓Full grant proposal (finalists only)Invited investigators submit a complete proposal after LOI review. The 2025 full-application deadline was 7 October, about two weeks after finalist invitations on 15 September.
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✓IRB approval planDescribe human-subjects protections and timeline for IRB approval. Award funds depend on securing appropriate institutional review.
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✓Budget and justificationLay out how up to $100,000 (Feeding Hope Award) or up to $50,000 (Early Career) will support pilot data collection, personnel, and dissemination aligned with a larger federal or foundation grant strategy.
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✓Annual reporting commitmentAwardees must file annual reports to NEDA for the award period. Build reporting milestones into your project calendar before you submit the LOI.
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✓Email submission packageSend questions and application materials to [email protected] unless the live announcement specifies an online portal.
How to apply
Deadline and timeline
FAQ
What is the Feeding Hope Fund for Clinical Research Grant?
It is NEDA's grant program for human-participant pilot studies on eating disorders that can improve clinical care or early intervention within one to five years. Since 2013 the Feeding Hope Fund has distributed more than $2 million to researchers across the field.
How much funding does the Feeding Hope Fund offer?
The Feeding Hope Award provides up to $100,000 over two years for eligible investigators. The Early Career Investigator grant offers up to $50,000 over one or two years for assistant professors and below, including postdoctoral and predoctoral researchers.
Who is eligible for NEDA Feeding Hope clinical research grants?
Principal investigators must be US citizens or lawful permanent residents conducting research at US institutions. NEDA encourages applicants from groups underrepresented in biomedical and clinical sciences. Each PI may submit only one application per cycle.
When is the Feeding Hope Fund Letter of Intent deadline?
The 2025 cycle set LOIs due 25 August 2025, with full proposals due 7 October 2025 from invited finalists. NEDA has not posted 2026 dates yet; expect a similar late-August LOI window and check grant-announcement/ for updates.
Does the Feeding Hope Fund pay for basic science research?
No. NEDA excludes basic science projects that lack a near-term clinical or prevention translation path. Proposals should describe how pilot data will inform screening, treatment, or access programs within about one to five years.
Can I apply for both the Feeding Hope Award and Early Career grant?
Not as PI in the same cycle. You must choose one track. Co-investigator roles on another submission may be possible, but confirm current rules with [email protected].
How do I submit a Feeding Hope Fund application?
Email the Letter of Intent and required Biosketches to [email protected] during the open inquiry. Finalists receive instructions for the full proposal stage. Questions go to the same inbox.
What happened to Feeding Hope Fund awards in recent cycles?
NEDA's research-grant page noted that Feeding Hope Fund grants were not awarded in at least one recent year, while the 2025 announcement still published a full timeline. Always read the current grant-announcement page before investing in a full LOI.
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