Advancing Vision Health Equity through Multi-level Interventions and Community-Engaged Research (R01 - Clinical Trial Optional)

The National Eye Institute (NEI) and the National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities (NIMHD) have announced the funding opportunity Advancing Vision Health Equity through Multi-level Interventions and Community-Engaged Research (R01 - Clinical Trial Optional) under funding opportunity number RFA-EY-25-002. This initiative seeks to support research focused on preventing, reducing, or eliminating disparities in eye and vision health through community-engaged, multi-level interventions addressing social determinants of health (SDOH) at various levels, including individual, interpersonal, organizational, and community. The aim is to improve vision health outcomes in one or more NIH-designated populations experiencing health disparities, such as racial and ethnic minorities, individuals with lower socioeconomic status, underserved rural populations, sexual and gender minorities, and individuals with disabilities. The initiative encourages innovative approaches that integrate community engagement into all stages of the research process. Community-engaged research should include partnerships with community organizations, shared decision-making, and the involvement of community representatives in leadership roles. Multi-level interventions are required to address vision health disparities across multiple domains, such as behavioral, physical, and healthcare system influences. Projects should focus on conditions contributing to vision impairment, including retinal diseases, cataract, glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy, and refractive errors, while also addressing barriers like lack of access to care, cultural and linguistic challenges, and community-level factors affecting healthcare utilization. Applicants are encouraged to propose interventions in diverse settings, such as clinics, schools, community centers, and workplaces, leveraging culturally tailored communication strategies, health information technology, and telemedicine solutions to improve healthcare access. Research should aim to measure the impact of interventions on vision health outcomes and demonstrate pathways linking multi-level interventions, social determinants, and health equity. Projects must include robust community engagement plans, sustainable intervention frameworks, and strategies to ensure scalability to other communities. Eligible applicants include higher education institutions, nonprofits, local governments, tribal governments, and for-profit organizations. Foreign institutions are not eligible, but foreign components of U.S.-based institutions may participate. Applicant organizations must complete required registrations with SAM.gov, NATO Commercial and Government Entity (NCAGE) Code, Unique Entity Identifier (UEI), eRA Commons, and Grants.gov. Principal Investigators must have an active eRA Commons account. The funding opportunity has an annual direct cost budget limit of $1,000,000 (excluding consortium Facilities and Administrative costs) and a maximum project period of five years. NEI and NIMHD intend to commit an estimated $7 million to fund approximately five to seven awards. Applications must include a *Plan to Engage the Community*, a *Milestone Plan*, and letters of support from community partners. Applications will be reviewed based on scientific merit, significance, innovation, rigor, feasibility, and the extent of community engagement. Special consideration will be given to the clarity of the conceptual model describing the pathways between multi-level interventions, social determinants of health, and vision health outcomes. Successful projects are expected to demonstrate meaningful partnerships with community organizations and culturally tailored approaches. The earliest submission date is January 3, 2025, with an application due date of March 3, 2025. Scientific merit reviews will occur in July 2025, followed by Advisory Council reviews in October 2025. The earliest start date for funded projects is December 2025. Prospective applicants are encouraged to contact the designated program officials at NEI and NIMHD to discuss project alignment with the funding opportunity's objectives.