DoW Vision, Investigator-Initiated 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 researchers investigating eye injury and visual dysfunction related to military exposure. Applicants must conduct basic through early translational research aligned with FY26 Vision Research Program focus areas. Preclinical and clinical research are supported, but clinical trials are not eligible.
Eligible researchers typically include faculty at academic institutions, researchers at military medical facilities, and scientists at research organizations. Institutions must have appropriate infrastructure and IRB/IACUC approval capabilities.
The research must address military-relevant vision problems and demonstrate potential for high-impact discoveries. Investigators can apply individually or as partnered teams under the Partnering Principal Investigator Option.
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Program description
Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Vision Research Program (VRP) Investigator-Initiated Research Award (IIRA) supports basic through early translational research that will yield highly impactful discoveries or major advancements in the research and/or patient care of eye injury and/or visual dysfunction related to military exposure. The IIRA may be used to support preclinical studies and/or clinical research. Research must align with at least one of the FY26 VRP Focus Areas. The IIRA cannot be used to support clinical trials.
Distinctive Features:
· The IIRA offers two Funding Levels to support research at different stages and the exploration/development of ideas of different maturity levels.
· Funding Level 2 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, and Personnel.
· Programmatic review criteria include adherence to the intent of the IIRA, contribution to the VRP portfolio, relative impact, and relevance to military health.
· The VRP may share FY26 IIRA 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
- SF-424 Federal Application for Grants and Cooperative Agreements (or eRA Commons equivalent)
- Research Proposal/Project Narrative
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Biographical Sketches (NIH format)
- Letters of Support (if applicable for partnered applications)
- Current and Pending Support documentation
- Institutional Certifications and Assurances
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
-
$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
Who can apply for this grant?
Researchers with appropriate credentials at academic institutions, research organizations, or military medical facilities can apply. Some funding levels may have specific PI experience requirements.
What types of research are supported?
Basic and early translational research on military-related eye injury and visual dysfunction are eligible. Preclinical and clinical research are allowed, but formal clinical trials are not.
What is the application deadline?
The fixed deadline is November 12, 2026. Plan to submit well before this date to allow review time.
How competitive is this grant?
This is a competitive peer-reviewed program with scientific and programmatic review criteria. Strong preliminary data and clear military relevance improve competitiveness.
What is the typical funding amount?
Two funding levels are available for different research stages. Review the full program announcement for specific funding caps for each level.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Review the FY26 Vision Research Program focus areas early to ensure your research aligns with program priorities before investing time in the application.
- Build in time to address military relevance explicitly. Clearly explain how your research addresses vision problems or injuries affecting service members.
- If applying under the Partnering PI Option, establish clear roles for the Initiating and Partnering PIs. Define complementary expertise and how collaboration strengthens the project.
- Develop strong preliminary data demonstrating feasibility. Peer reviewers will assess your ability to execute the proposed research within the funding level requested.
- Consider connecting with military ophthalmology or vision researchers early. Partnerships can strengthen relevance and increase access to military patient populations if appropriate.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Proposing a formal clinical trial when only preclinical/clinical research is eligible. Research misaligned with Vision Research Program focus areas wastes review effort. Failing to clearly articulate military relevance and impact on service member vision health.
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