About

The purpose of the Bedford VA Research Corporation, Inc. (BRCI) is to advance the research and education mission of the Department of Veterans Affairs, and specifically the VA Medical Center, Bedford division of the VA New England Healthcare System, through the support of research- and education-related activities by administering funds in support of Veterans’ health and well-being. BRCI’s impact is felt directly by the over 19,000 Veterans who receive health care and other support services through the VA Bedford Healthcare System.

Research

BRCI works with non-VA funders and donors to support projects for over 65 principal investigators at VA Bedford with expertise in homelessness, mental health, reintegration, substance abuse and addiction, smoking cessation, suicide prevention, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Alzheimer’s and geriatrics, and traumatic brain injury (TBI).

Education & Training

Training and support programs offered to Veterans through the VA Bedford Healthcare System include entrepreneurship, workforce development, financial management skills, and reintegration. Each program helps to heal Veterans and has a direct and immediate impact on the well-being of those who served, their families, the community, and the caregivers. The more options we are able to provide, the greater the reach. BRCI also supports education opportunities for clinical educators and health professions trainees helping to train the next generation of health professionals.

Operations

BRCI serves in an administrative role and receives no financial support from the VA. All funds for operating expenses are derived from overhead charges that are levied on contracts, funds from other non-profits, donations, etc.

Founding

BRCI, along with a number of other Non-Profit Corporations (NPCs) associated with other Veterans Administration Medical Centers, was created by an Act of Congress for the sole purpose of enabling VA Researchers & Educators to access additional sources of funding, to which they would otherwise be denied access, for educational programs and innovative medical research for the benefit of Veterans as well as the general population.

The VA-NPC relationship is spelled out in 38 U.S.C.Sec.7361-7368.
Also see Sections 401-403: Research Corporations under the foregoing citation.

MA Nonprofit Corporation

BRCI is a stand-alone, 501(c)(3) non-profit incorporated in The Commonwealth of Massachusetts in 2001. BRCI serves in an administrative role and receives no financial support from the VA. All funds for operating expenses are derived from overhead charges levied on contracts, funds from other non-profits, and donations. Contributions to BRCI are tax-deductible.