Collaborative Clinical Vision Research (UG1 – Clinical Trial Optional)
🏛 National Institutes of Health (HHS-NIH11)
✓ Free, no account · Source: Grants.gov · Last verified Jul 16, 2026
Can you apply?
This grant is for collaborative clinical vision research supported by the National Eye Institute (NEI). Research institutions, hospitals, and affiliated organizations may apply if they have research capabilities and clinical facilities for vision studies. The UG1 mechanism supports multi-site clinical trials and collaborative research networks. Applicants must demonstrate institutional commitment, qualified personnel, and ability to recruit and enroll study participants. Projects may focus on any area of vision science and ophthalmology research aligned with NEI priorities.
Clinical trial participation is optional, allowing flexibility in study design. Institutions should have experience with clinical research or access to clinical populations with eye conditions. Collaborative teams across multiple sites are encouraged and often strengthened applications. International collaboration is permitted with appropriate institutional arrangements.
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Key dates
- Mar 3, 2026 Applications open
- Sep 25, 2026 Application deadline in 70 days
- Jun 1, 2027 Award announced
- Jun 1, 2027 Project start
Program description
The NEI uses UG1 cooperative agreement awards to support investigator-initiated clinical vision research projects, including multi-center clinical trials, human gene-transfer, stem cell therapy trials, epidemiological studies, and other studies that are complex, high resource, or that require increased oversight due to elevated safety considerations.
These collaborative clinical vision research projects would address chronic diseases across the lifespan through research on the burden of eye and vision conditions, their causes, diagnoses, prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation. These projects are multifaceted and of high public health significance, requiring careful oversight and monitoring by National Institutes of Health (NIH) staff.
The intent of this funding opportunity announcement is to provide a collaborative framework for the following components: Chair’s Grant, Coordinating Center, and Resource Center(s).
Who can apply
Eligible applicants
How to apply
Application links
Key dates & requirements
Required documents
- SF-424 (R&R) Federal Application
- Project Narrative
- Research Strategy
- Biographical Sketches (Key Personnel)
- Budget and Budget Justification
- Institutional Commitment Letters
- Vertebrate Animals Assurance (if applicable)
- Clinical Trial Protocol (if clinical trial conducted)
- Letters of Support from Collaborating Sites
Program contact
- 👤 NEI Extramural
- 📧 NEI_extramural@nih.gov
- 📞 Please contact via e-mail
Funding track record
Recent awards under CFDA 93.867 from the last 3 years — real organizations that won funding through this same program.
Top 10 Largest Recent Awards
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$73,768,606
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$61,555,044
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$35,249,682
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$27,603,179
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$27,051,746
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$22,003,615
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$20,411,581
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$19,986,536
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$18,098,351
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$16,012,672
Top States by Funding
- MA 13 awards $157.7M
- FL 4 awards $153.5M
- CA 11 awards $121.1M
- PA 8 awards $114.0M
- NY 10 awards $109.4M
Source: USAspending.gov — federal spending transparency. Data covers last 3 years.
Funding history
Annual funding for this program — Federal obligations (CFDA 93.867). How funding has trended year over year.
| 2024 | $696,472,579 | |
| 2025 | $702,696,370 | |
| 2026 est. | $863,753 |
FAQ
Who is eligible to apply for this NEI clinical vision research grant?
Research institutions, universities, hospitals, and medical centers with clinical research infrastructure and qualified vision science teams may apply. Nonprofit and government entities are eligible.
Can a single-site organization apply?
The UG1 mechanism is designed for collaborative networks, but single-site applications are possible if they address multi-site coordination or have strong justification for their research model.
Do I have to conduct a clinical trial?
No. This is listed as "Clinical Trial Optional." You may propose non-trial clinical vision research projects aligned with NEI priorities.
What topics are fundable under this grant?
Any vision science research area is potentially eligible. Common areas include eye diseases, retinal conditions, glaucoma, dry eye, neuro-ophthalmology, and vision rehabilitation.
How competitive is this grant?
UG1 awards are moderately to highly competitive. Strong preliminary data, experienced research teams, and innovative approaches significantly improve competitiveness.
💡 Tips for applicants
- Emphasize collaborative infrastructure and multi-site coordination even if clinical trial is optional. UG1 grants reward networks.
- Include strong letters of support from participating sites and clear role definitions for each collaborating institution.
- Demonstrate NIH-fundable preliminary data. Vision research requires robust evidence of feasibility and scientific significance.
- Align your research question with current NEI funding priorities by reviewing recent funded projects and NIH guidance documents.
- Build a realistic budget and timeline. NIH reviewers scrutinize research costs and enrollment projections carefully.
⚠️ Common mistakes
Underestimating administrative burden of multi-site coordination. Lack of clear communication plan and data-sharing agreements between collaborators. Proposing underpowered studies without adequate justification for participant enrollment feasibility.
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