Limited Competition: NEI - DOD Vision Research Collaborative (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) | PAR 23 141

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 23 141

The Limited Competition: NEI - DOD Vision Research Collaborative (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) opportunity (Funding Opportunity Number PAR-23-141) is a joint funding pathway created by the National Eye Institute (NEI) at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Department of Defense (DOD) Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) Vision Research Program (VRP). It is designed to strengthen coordination between civilian and military vision research priorities by providing a mechanism for additional support of strong VRP proposals, while also expanding and complementing NEI's existing research portfolio. In practical terms, the program aims to move forward high-quality vision projects that address important gaps affecting both the general public and service members, including problems where military-relevant needs overlap with broader eye and vision health challenges.

This is a limited competition R01 grant mechanism with clinical trials listed as optional, meaning applicants may propose either non-clinical research or a study that includes a clinical trial component, as long as it aligns with the goals and requirements of the R01 and the specific collaborative aims of the VRC. The R01 structure generally supports discrete, specified research projects and is commonly used for hypothesis-driven studies, technology development, translational work, and other substantial research programs that can be well-defined within a project period. The funding activity category is Health, and the CFDA (now commonly referenced as Assistance Listing) number associated with NEI is 93.867.

A key constraint is that not everyone can apply: only principal investigators who have received a direct invitation from NEI to submit a reformatted application to NIH will be considered. This invitation-only requirement is central to the opportunity and reflects that the VRC pathway is intended to capture and transition select projects (originating from or associated with VRP submissions) into an NIH-formatted application for NEI consideration. In other words, eligibility depends less on the institution type and more on whether the PI has been formally invited by NEI to submit under this specific announcement.

While the competition is limited by invitation, the announcement still lists a wide range of eligible applicant organizations, reflecting NIH's broad eligibility framework. Eligible applicants include various levels of U.S. government entities (state, county, city or township governments; special district governments), independent school districts, and public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities. It also includes public and state-controlled institutions of higher education, private institutions of higher education, nonprofit organizations (both 501(c)(3) and non-501(c)(3), other than institutions of higher education), for-profit organizations (other than small businesses), and small businesses. In addition, the opportunity explicitly highlights categories of institutions and organizations that may apply when otherwise eligible, including Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Indian/Native American tribal governments that are not federally recognized, eligible federal agencies, faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations), and U.S. territories or possessions.

From an administrative standpoint, the sponsoring agency is NIH (through NEI). The source data indicates an original closing date of 2023-05-01 and a creation date of 2023-04-04. The public listing does not provide a specific award ceiling or an expected number of awards in the provided fields, which typically means applicants would need to consult the full announcement and NIH budget guidance for R01 applications, any NEI-specific budget expectations, and any constraints tied to the VRC partnership.

Overall, this opportunity is best understood as a targeted bridge between DOD vision research priorities and NEI's biomedical research mission. It is meant to ensure that particularly strong and strategically important vision research projects can receive additional support through NIH mechanisms, while also encouraging a portfolio that addresses real-world operational and public health needs in vision science. The defining feature for applicants is the invitation requirement: if a PI has not received an NEI invitation to submit a reformatted NIH application under PAR-23-141, they would not be considered for this limited competition, regardless of institutional eligibility.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Limited Competition: NEI - DOD Vision Research Collaborative (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.867.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2023-04-04.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-05-01. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.

Apply for PAR 23 141

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