U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health
Vision Research
Key facts
Open now
- Ethical, Legal and Social Implications (ELSI) Research (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) · Due Nov 18, 2026 · 39 days left
- Ethical, Legal and Social Implications (ELSI) Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant (R21 Clinical Trial Optional) · Due Nov 18, 2026 · 39 days left
- Competing Revisions to Existing NIH Single Project Research Grants and Cooperative Agreements (Clinical Trial Optional) · Due Nov 24, 2026 · 45 days left
- Emerging Global Leader Award (K43 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) · Due Dec 3, 2026 · 54 days left
- NIH Research Software Engineer (RSE) Award (R50 Clinical Trials Not Allowed) · Due Dec 4, 2026 · 55 days left
- Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA) for Undergraduate-Focused Institutions (R15 Clinical Trial Required) · Due Jan 7, 2027 · 89 days left
- HEAL Initiative: Studies to Enable Analgesic Discovery (R61/R33 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) · Due Jan 15, 2027 · 97 days left
- Biomedical Research Environment and Sponsored Programs Administration Development (BRE-SPAD) Program (UC2- Clinical Trial Not Allowed) · Due Jan 27, 2027 · 109 days left
- BRAIN Initiative: Preclinical Proof of Concept for Novel Recording and Modulation Technologies in the Human CNS (R18 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) · Due Jan 28, 2027 · 110 days left
- BRAIN Initiative: Development and Validation of Novel Tools to Probe Cell-Specific and Circuit-Specific Processes in the Brain (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) · Due Feb 8, 2027 · 121 days left
- BRAIN Initiative: Exploratory Research Opportunities Using Invasive Neural Recording and Stimulating Technologies in the Human Brain (R61 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) · Due Feb 11, 2027 · 124 days left
- Discovery of in vivo Chemical Probes for the Nervous System (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) · Due Mar 5, 2027 · 146 days left
- NIH Small Business Technology Transfer Grant (Parent STTR [R41/R42] Clinical Trial Optional) · Due Apr 5, 2027 · 177 days left
- NIH, CDC and FDA Small Business Innovation Research Grant (Parent SBIR [R43/R44] Clinical Trial Optional) · Due Apr 5, 2027 · 177 days left
- Mentored Quantitative Research Development Award (Parent K25 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) · Due May 7, 2027 · 209 days left
- NIH Pathway to Independence Award (Parent K99/R00 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) · Due May 7, 2027 · 209 days left
- Mentored Clinical Scientist Research Career Development Award (Parent K08 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) · Due May 8, 2027 · 210 days left
- BRAIN Initiative: Brain Behavior Quantification and Synchronization- Next Generation Sensor Technology Development (U01 Clinical Trial Optional) · Due Jun 15, 2027 · 248 days left
- BRAIN Initiative: Reagent Resources for Brain Cell Type-Specific Access to Broaden Distribution of Enabling Technologies for Neuroscience (U24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) · Due Jun 15, 2027 · 248 days left
- Change of Recipient Organization (Type 7 Parent Clinical Trial Optional) · Due Jul 12, 2027 · 275 days left
- Successor-in-Interest (Type 6 Parent Clinical Trial Optional) · Due Jul 17, 2027 · 280 days left
- Blueprint Neurotherapeutics Network (BPN): Biologic-based Drug Discovery and Development for Disorders of the Nervous System (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Optional) · Due Aug 18, 2027 · 312 days left
- Bioengineering Partnerships with Industry (U01 Clinical Trial Optional) · Due Sep 7, 2027 · 332 days left
- NIH Support for Conferences and Scientific Meetings (Parent R13 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) · Due Sep 7, 2027 · 332 days left
- BRAIN Initiative Connectivity across Scales (BRAIN CONNECTS): Specialized Projects for Scalable Technologies (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) · Due Oct 4, 2027 · 359 days left
- NEI Research Grant for Vision-Related Secondary Data Analysis (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) · Due Oct 16, 2027 · 371 days left
- Research Enhancement Award Program (REAP) for Health Professional Schools and Graduate Schools (R15 Clinical Trial Required) · Due Oct 25, 2027 · 380 days left
- BRAIN Initiative: Theories, Models and Methods for Analysis of Complex Data from the Brain (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) · Due Nov 8, 2027 · 394 days left
- NIH Exploratory/Developmental Research Project Grant (Parent R21 Clinical Trial Required) · Accepts applications through Jan 7, 2028. Rounds may close sooner: check the notice
- NIH Exploratory/Developmental Research Project Grant (Parent R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) · Accepts applications through Jan 7, 2028. Rounds may close sooner: check the notice
- Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA) for Undergraduate-Focused Institutions (R15 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) · Accepts applications through Jan 7, 2028. Rounds may close sooner: check the notice
- NIH Research Project Grant (Parent R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) · Accepts applications through Jan 7, 2028. Rounds may close sooner: check the notice
- NEI Clinical Research Study Planning Grant Program (R34 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) · Accepts applications through Jan 7, 2028. Rounds may close sooner: check the notice
- Academic-Industrial Partnerships for Translation of Technologies for Diagnosis and Treatment (R01 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) · Accepts applications through Jan 7, 2028. Rounds may close sooner: check the notice
- Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA) for Undergraduate-Focused Institutions (R15 Clinical Trial Required) · Accepts applications through Jan 7, 2028. Rounds may close sooner: check the notice
- Dissemination and Implementation Research in Health (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) · Accepts applications through Jan 7, 2028. Rounds may close sooner: check the notice
- Research Enhancement Award Program (REAP) for Health Professional Schools and Graduate Schools (R15 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) · Accepts applications through Jan 7, 2028. Rounds may close sooner: check the notice
- NIH Research Project Grant (Parent R01 Clinical Trial Required) · Accepts applications through Jan 7, 2028. Rounds may close sooner: check the notice
- Stimulating Access to Research in Residency (StARR) (R38 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed) · Accepts applications through Jan 10, 2028. Rounds may close sooner: check the notice
- Blueprint MedTech Translator (UG3/UH3 - Clinical Trial Optional) · Accepts applications through Jan 28, 2028. Rounds may close sooner: check the notice
- Expanding the Target Landscape by Drugging the Undruggable (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) · Accepts applications through Feb 17, 2028. Rounds may close sooner: check the notice
- Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Institutional Research Training Grant (Parent T32) · Accepts applications through May 4, 2028. Rounds may close sooner: check the notice
- Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Predoctoral Fellowship (Parent F31) · Accepts applications through May 7, 2028. Rounds may close sooner: check the notice
- Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Short-Term Institutional Research Training Grant (Parent T35) · Accepts applications through May 7, 2028. Rounds may close sooner: check the notice
- Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Postdoctoral Fellowship (Parent F32) · Accepts applications through May 7, 2028. Rounds may close sooner: check the notice
- Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Fellowship for Students at Institutions with NIH-Funded Institutional Predoctoral Dual-Degree Training Programs (Parent F30) · Accepts applications through May 7, 2028. Rounds may close sooner: check the notice
- Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Fellowship for Students at Institutions Without NIH-Funded Institutional Predoctoral Dual-Degree Training Programs (Parent F30) · Accepts applications through May 7, 2028. Rounds may close sooner: check the notice
- INCLUDE Project: Exploratory/Developmental Research Awards for Down syndrome (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) · Accepts applications through Jun 15, 2028. Rounds may close sooner: check the notice
- INCLUDE Project: Transformative Research Awards for Down syndrome (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) · Accepts applications through Jun 15, 2028. Rounds may close sooner: check the notice
- BRAIN Initiative: Integrative Team-Research BRAIN Circuits Program - iBCP (RM1 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) · Accepts applications through Jun 23, 2028. Rounds may close sooner: check the notice
- Shared Instrumentation Grant (SIG) Program (S10 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) · Accepts applications through Jul 1, 2028. Rounds may close sooner: check the notice
- Stephen I. Katz Early Stage Investigator Research Project Grant (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) · Accepts applications through Aug 25, 2028. Rounds may close sooner: check the notice
- Support for Research Excellence (SuRE) Award (R16 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) · Accepts applications through Sep 7, 2028. Rounds may close sooner: check the notice
- Support for Research Excellence First Independent Research (SuRE-First) Award (R16 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) · Accepts applications through Sep 7, 2028. Rounds may close sooner: check the notice
- Development of Candidate Medical Countermeasures (MCMs) and Technologies Against Radiological/Nuclear or Chemical Threats (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) · Accepts applications through Oct 9, 2028. Rounds may close sooner: check the notice
- Administrative Supplements to Existing NIH Grants and Cooperative Agreements (Parent Admin Supp Clinical Trial Optional) · Accepts applications through Nov 30, 2028. Rounds may close sooner: check the notice
- Limited Competition: Instrumentation Grant Program for Resource-Limited Institutions (S10 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) · Accepts applications through Jan 26, 2029. Rounds may close sooner: check the notice
- BRAIN Initiative: Research Opportunities Using Invasive Neural Recording and Stimulating Technologies in the Human Brain (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) · Accepts applications through Feb 8, 2029. Rounds may close sooner: check the notice
- HEAL Initiative: Non-addictive Analgesic Therapeutics Development [Small Molecules and Biologics] to Treat Pain (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Optional) · Accepts applications through Feb 20, 2029. Rounds may close sooner: check the notice
- NIH Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase IIB Strategic Breakthrough Award (Parent [R44] Clinical Trial Optional) · Accepts applications through Apr 5, 2029. Rounds may close sooner: check the notice
- SBIR/STTR Commercialization Readiness Pilot (CRP) Program (Parent SB1 Clinical Trial Optional) · Accepts applications through Apr 5, 2029. Rounds may close sooner: check the notice
- Predoctoral to Postdoctoral Transition Award (Parent F99/K00 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) · Accepts applications through Apr 8, 2029. Rounds may close sooner: check the notice
- NIH Research Educational Program - Mentoring Activities & Networks (Parent R25/UE5 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) · Accepts applications through May 5, 2029. Rounds may close sooner: check the notice
- NIH Research Education Program - Research Experiences (Parent R25 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) · Accepts applications through May 5, 2029. Rounds may close sooner: check the notice
- NIH Research Education Program - Courses, Curriculum & Methods (Parent R25 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed) · Accepts applications through May 25, 2029. Rounds may close sooner: check the notice
- Bioengineering Research Grants (BRG) (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) · Accepts applications through Jul 5, 2029. Rounds may close sooner: check the notice
- Institutional Mentored Career Development Award (Parent K12) (Clinical Trials Not Allowed) · Accepts applications through Jul 12, 2029. Rounds may close sooner: check the notice
- NEI Translational Research Program for Therapeutics (R61/R33 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) · Accepts applications through Nov 16, 2029. Rounds may close sooner: check the notice
Opening soon
Announced, but you can't apply yet. Get ready now.
- Small Business Translator: MedTech and Digital Health Technologies · The funder's estimated date (Oct 20, 2025) has passed. Check the official notice Estimate, not confirmed by the funder
- NEI New Innovator Award (DP2 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) · The funder's estimated date (May 25, 2026) has passed. Check the official notice Estimate, not confirmed by the funder
- NEI Collaborative Clinical Vision Research (UG1 - Clinical Trial Optional) · The funder's estimated date (Sep 25, 2026) has passed. Check the official notice Estimate, not confirmed by the funder
- NEI Center Core Grant for Vision Research (P30 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) · The funder's estimated date (Sep 25, 2026) has passed. Check the official notice Estimate, not confirmed by the funder
- Small Business Transition Grant for New Entrepreneurs (Parent R43/R44 Clinical Trial Optional) · Opens Nov 5, 2026 · due about Jan 5, 2027 Estimate, not confirmed by the funder
- Small Business Transition Grant for New Entrepreneurs (Parent R41/R42 Clinical Trial Optional) · Opens Nov 5, 2026 · due about Jan 5, 2027 Estimate, not confirmed by the funder
- Investigator-Focused Award (Parent R35) · Opens May 27, 2027 · due about Oct 4, 2027 Estimate, not confirmed by the funder
What it pays for
The mission of the National Eye Institute is to eliminate vision loss and improve quality of life through vision research. The goal is to drive innovative research to understand the eye and visual system, prevent and treat vision diseases, and expand opportunities for people who are blind or require vision rehabilitation. Research grants and cooperative agreements 1) Support eye and vision research projects that address the leading causes of blindness and impaired vision in the U.S. These include, but are not limited to, retinal diseases; corneal diseases; cataract; glaucoma and optic neuropathies; strabismus; amblyopia; and low vision and blindness rehabilitation. 2) To increase understanding of the normal development and function of the visual system in order to better prevent, diagnose, and treat sight-threatening conditions; and, to enhance the rehabilitation, training, and quality of life of individuals who are partially-sighted or blind. 3) To encourage high quality clinical research, including clinical trials, other epidemiological studies, and health services research.
Who can apply
In each year's official notice: Ethical, Legal and Social Implications (ELSI) Research (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)
How applications are judged
The following consideration will be used in determining projects to be funded: (1) Technical merit of the proposed project; (2) Availability of funds; and (3) Relevance to program priorities.
Match
None required (federal program listing).
Who in Tennessee has won this program
29 awards to Tennessee groups since 1978 · 0 in Hamblen County. Largest shown:
| Past winner | Where | Amount | Fiscal year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Nashville, Davidson County | $14M | 1997 |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, Davidson County | $12.7M | 2021 |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, Davidson County | $9.4M | 1997 |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, Davidson County | $8.7M | 1998 |
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Nashville, Davidson County | $7.1M | 2018 |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, Davidson County | $6.7M | 2001 |
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Nashville, Davidson County | $6.4M | 2010 |
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Nashville, Davidson County | $6.3M spent that year | 2025 |
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Nashville, Davidson County | $5.5M | 2002 |
| University of Tennessee | Knoxville, Knox County | $5.4M | 1984 |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, Davidson County | $5.4M | 2006 |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, Davidson County | $5.4M | 1978 |
Source: USAspending.gov, Federal Audit Clearinghouse.
Tennessee groups that got this money through a state agency or another organization
This federal money also reaches local groups as pass-through grants. 49 pass-through grants on file · 0 in Hamblen County. Largest shown:
| Past winner | Where | Through | Amount | Fiscal year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, Davidson County | Vanderbilt University Medical Center | $958K | 2023 |
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Nashville, Davidson County | Vanderbilt University | $941K | 2025 |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, Davidson County | University of Alabama at Birmingham | $594K | 2024 |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville | Vumc | $562K spent that year | 2024 |
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Nashville, Davidson County | Vanderbilt University | $537K | 2026 |
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Nashville, Davidson County | Human Cell Co | $468K spent that year | 2025 |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville | Vanderbilt University Medical Center | $456K spent that year | 2025 |
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Nashville, Davidson County | Vanderbilt University | $404K | 2024 |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, Davidson County | Duke University | $374K | 2026 |
| Vanderbilt University | Nashville, Davidson County | Cornell University | $357K | 2023 |
| Tennessee Retina Pc | Nashville, Davidson County | The Johns Hopkins University | $353K | 2026 |
| Vanderbilt University Medical Center | Nashville, Davidson County | Vanderbilt University | $317K | 2024 |
Source: USAspending.gov pass-through reports (the first recipient reports each one of $30,000 or more).