DoW Vision, Translational Research Award
🏛 Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity - DHACA (DOD-AMRAA)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 29, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for translational vision research that advances discoveries toward clinical use. Eligible applicants include research institutions, universities, and organizations that can conduct vision-related research aligned with Army priorities. Research must develop new drugs, devices, or clinical guidelines ready for definitive clinical trials by project end. The program supports preclinical studies, clinical research, and pilot clinical trials—but not full-scale trials. Applicants must demonstrate regulatory expertise if developing drugs or devices.
At least one PI must be qualified to lead translational research. The Partnering PI Option allows two PIs for stronger team composition. Institutions must have appropriate infrastructure and compliance systems for military-supported research.
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Program description
Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Vision Research Program (VRP) Translational Research Award (TRA) supports translational research that transforms a promising discovery into new drugs, devices or clinical practice guidelines that are ready for definitive testing in clinical trials during or by the end of the period of performance. The TRA may be used to support preclinical studies, clinical research or a pilot clinical trial, but not a full-scale clinical trial. Research must align with at least one of the FY26 VRP Focus Areas.
Distinctive Features:
· If developing new drugs or device(s), the research team must include expertise in the regulatory approval process.
· The TRA includes a Partnering Principal Investigator (PI) Option (PPIO) for two PIs, an Initiating PI and a Partnering PI.
· Scored peer review criteria include Research Idea/Rationale, Research Strategy and Feasibility, Impact, Personnel and Post-Award Transition Plan.
· Programmatic review criteria include adherence to the intent of the TRA, contribution to the VRP portfolio, relative impact and relevance to military health.
· The VRP may share FY26 TRA applications and reviews with the National Eye Institute (NEI) for independent funding consideration.
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- Application through eBRAP system
- Project Narrative
- Research and Related Budget form (SF-424 R&R)
- Biographical Sketches (PIs and key personnel)
- References Cited
- Supporting Documents (letters of commitment, organizational approvals)
- Military Relevance Statement (implicit in Army grants)
Program contact
- 👤 Teresa M Parker-Reeser Grants Officer
- 📧 help@eBRAP.org
- 📞 3016192171
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 12.420 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
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$2,265,729,366
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$800,631,761
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$74,531,880
-
$67,205,571
-
$55,443,120
-
$34,191,124
-
$24,783,894
-
$21,394,379
-
$19,100,256
-
$19,002,641
Top States by Funding
- MD 10 awards $3,150.1M
- NC 11 awards $132.3M
- CA 12 awards $107.3M
- FL 8 awards $99.8M
- MA 8 awards $83.2M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 12.420). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $1,483,968,520 | |
| 2025 | $1,201,153,417 |
FAQ
What types of vision research does this award support?
Translational research that moves discoveries toward clinical application. Research must align with FY26 VRP focus areas and result in drugs, devices, or guidelines ready for clinical testing.
Can my project include a full-scale clinical trial?
No. The TRA supports preclinical studies, clinical research, and pilot trials, but not full-scale clinical trials.
What if my team develops a new drug or device?
You must include expertise in regulatory approval processes. The team should demonstrate FDA pathway knowledge or equivalent regulatory experience.
Can I apply with a co-PI or partnership structure?
Yes. The Partnering PI Option allows an Initiating PI and a Partnering PI on one application to strengthen team capacity.
How is this reviewed and what makes a competitive application?
Peer review scores research idea, strategy, feasibility, impact, and personnel. Programmatic review assesses alignment with VRP priorities and military health relevance.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Start with a clear discovery or scientific premise. Explain why this finding justifies translational investment and clinical testing readiness.
- Detail the path to clinical use. Specify what drug, device, or guideline you'll deliver and what regulatory steps remain after the award period.
- Include regulatory expertise on your team. If developing drugs/devices, add a team member with FDA pathway or regulatory approval experience.
- Use the Partnering PI Option strategically. If your institution lacks translational capacity, partner with a co-PI who has clinical trial infrastructure or regulatory background.
- Connect to military health impact. Explain why this research matters to service members, military medicine, or Department of Defense vision health priorities.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Applications lack a clear path from research to clinical readiness. Teams develop promising science but don't specify what product will enter trials or how they'll achieve regulatory milestones. Applicants underestimate regulatory requirements. Projects proposing drugs or devices without documented FDA expertise or regulatory planning fail competitively. Teams submit ideas too early or too late in the translational pipeline. Research that's too basic (not ready to translate) or already in full clinical trials falls outside scope.
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