NEI Collaborative Clinical Vision Research (UG1 - Clinical Trial Optional)

The National Eye Institute (NEI), part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and operating under the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is issuing a funding opportunity titled “NEI Collaborative Clinical Vision Research (UG1 - Clinical Trial Optional)” under opportunity number PAR-26-119. This forecasted cooperative agreement is designed to support investigator-initiated clinical vision research projects. These include multi-center clinical trials, gene-transfer studies, stem cell therapy trials, and other complex epidemiological investigations that necessitate enhanced oversight due to safety and resource implications. The intent behind this program is to address public health needs related to vision and eye health. It seeks to improve understanding of the burden, causes, diagnosis, prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation associated with vision conditions across all age groups. Due to the high stakes and complex nature of such research, this program requires a collaborative structure comprising three primary components: a Chair’s Grant, a Coordinating Center, and one or more Resource Centers. These components will work together to execute sophisticated research agendas with centralized oversight mechanisms. This funding mechanism utilizes the UG1 cooperative agreement, which implies significant involvement by NEI program staff throughout the life of the award. This includes protocol development, project monitoring, and data sharing oversight. The cooperative nature of the agreement ensures that these projects adhere to the highest scientific and ethical standards while also benefiting from NIH's expertise in clinical research management. Eligibility for this opportunity is broad, encompassing a wide variety of applicant types, including institutions of higher education (both public and private), nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3)), for-profit organizations including small businesses, state and local governments, Native American tribal governments and organizations (both federally and non-federally recognized), housing authorities, school districts, and even some federal government agencies and non-domestic (foreign) entities. This inclusivity aims to encourage a diverse applicant pool capable of addressing complex vision research needs. Submission for this opportunity is not currently open but is forecasted to begin after July 25, 2026. Applications will be due by September 25, 2026, with an estimated award date of June 1, 2027. The estimated project start date aligns with the award date, also on June 1, 2027. There is no stated requirement for cost sharing or matching, and no minimum or maximum award amounts have been declared as of the forecast publication. For further inquiries, applicants are encouraged to contact the NEI Extramural email address ([email protected]). While the program is forecasted at this stage and subject to change, the broad eligibility, collaborative structure, and focus on addressing chronic vision diseases through rigorous clinical research make this a significant opportunity for the vision science community.