NEI Collaborative Clinical Vision Research Project: Resource Center Grant (UG1 Clinical Trial Required)

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, through the National Institutes of Health and specifically the National Eye Institute (NEI), has reissued the NEI Collaborative Clinical Vision Research Project: Resource Center Grant (UG1 Clinical Trial Required), under Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) number PAR-23-201. This opportunity supports large-scale, investigator-initiated clinical trials that involve significant resources, organizational complexity, or safety risk. It is structured as a cooperative agreement, which ensures substantial involvement of NIH program staff in guiding, coordinating, and monitoring the projects. This funding mechanism plays a central role in NEI’s mission to reduce vision loss and enhance quality of life through research. The Resource Center grant within this framework provides essential services—such as imaging, laboratory analysis, or product manufacturing—to multi-center clinical trials or other high-risk clinical projects. Applicants are expected to design proposals that evaluate interventions intended to screen, diagnose, prevent, or treat vision disorders, or compare the effectiveness of existing interventions. These projects are often accompanied by companion awards, such as a Chair’s Grant and a Coordinating Center Grant, to ensure full oversight, coordination, and operational support. For less complex trials, resource-related functions may be integrated into other components rather than requiring a separate Resource Center. Applications for this NOFO are restricted to NIH-defined clinical trials and must exclude activities outside its scope, such as basic experimental studies with humans, preclinical or developmental work, or low-risk studies. Funded projects are expected to demonstrate clear plans for governance, communication between participating components, and adherence to protocols ensuring quality, integrity, and safety. Award budgets are not capped but must reflect actual needs, with project periods limited to a maximum of five years. The number of awards is dependent on appropriations and the submission of meritorious applications. Eligibility for this program is broad. Eligible applicants include higher education institutions (both public and private), nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status, for-profit organizations, small businesses, state and local governments, tribal governments and organizations, independent school districts, housing authorities, and faith- and community-based organizations. U.S. territories and foreign institutions are also eligible, and foreign components of U.S. institutions may participate. Applicants must complete registrations in SAM.gov, eRA Commons, and Grants.gov, and obtain a Unique Entity Identifier (UEI) prior to submission. Program Directors/Principal Investigators must also be registered in eRA Commons. Applications must be submitted electronically through NIH ASSIST, institutional system-to-system platforms, or Grants.gov Workspace. Submissions must conform to NIH’s SF424 (R&R) Application Guide, with supplemental instructions provided in this NOFO. Applicants must attach a Resource Center Methods document detailing operational protocols, such as de-identification of specimens, quality assurance measures, and data sharing processes. Human subjects protection, data and safety monitoring, and compliance with the NIH Data Management and Sharing Policy are required. Key dates include an open date of June 12, 2023, and multiple recurring application deadlines through January 25, 2026. The next upcoming due date, as of today’s date (2025-09-26), is September 25, 2025, with subsequent review and award cycles continuing into 2026. Applications are due by 5:00 PM local time on the specified dates. The NOFO will remain active until its expiration on May 26, 2026. Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply early and to consult NEI scientific and grants management staff well in advance. Contacts for this program include Scientific/Research staff such as Dr. Sangeeta Bhargava (bhargavas@mail.nih.gov, 301-435-8175), Mr. Donald Everett (everettd@mail.nih.gov, 301-435-8181), and Dr. Jimmy Le (jimmy.le@nih.gov, 301-435-8160). For peer review inquiries, Dr. Brian Hoshaw (brian.hoshaw@nih.gov, 301-402-0566) is available, while financial and grants management questions may be directed to Ms. Karen Robinson Smith (Karen.Robinson.Smith@nei.nih.gov, 301-435-8178). General support is also provided through NIH’s eRA Service Desk and Grants.gov Customer Support. The cooperative agreement terms emphasize shared responsibilities between awardees and NIH in ensuring the scientific rigor, participant safety, and successful completion of funded trials.

Applicants should consult NEI staff 12 weeks in advance, follow SF424 instructions, and apply early for error correction.