NEDA aims to be a meaningful funding organization for clinically relevant human participant pilot studies focused on eating disorders. It is understood that the resulting preliminary data from these pilot studies is typically part of a larger research plan that leads to further funding through federal agencies and foundations, which have the capacity to support more substantial, definitive projects. 

Of interest to NEDA are research projects, covering the broad spectrum of eating disorder diagnoses, that can be translated to clinical care and/or applied prevention strategies within one to five years; basic science research projects will not be considered at this time. In addition, NEDA is keenly interested in research projects that address participation from underserved community members, and projects that will translate increasing access to treatment for marginalized populations.  Funding for all projects is contingent on IRB approval and requires annual reporting. 

In 2024, NEDA will issue an open inquiry for Letters of Intent and then will invite a select group of investigators to develop a full grant proposal (see timing below).  Investigators may only submit one grant application as PI (applicants must choose to apply for either a FHF grant or an Early Career Investigator grant).

The two grant categories are as follows: