DoW Vision, Investigator-Initiated Research Award
Supports basic through early translational research on eye injury and visual dysfunction related to military exposure for eligible applicants, including preclinical studies and clinical research but not clinical trials.
⚑ Award funds research only; not clinical trials. · Two funding levels; Level 2 includes a Partnering PI Option with an Initiating PI and Partnering PI. · Applications may be shared with NEI for independent funding consideration. · Focus Area alignment required; exact focus areas should be checked in the full notice.
Unit fits — one characterization, each unit's own rules
| IPPRA | 58 good | portfolio topics: public_health, national_security_defense; social/behavioral work is minor; funds applied research; biomedical core — IPPRA health lane is communication/crisis/policy (capped); clinical-trial/biomedical core — IPPRA angle is policy/community (capped) |
| Physical Sciences & Engineering (demo) | 55 good | technical depth: minor; funds applied research |
| Tom Love Innovation Hub | 30 weak | funds applied research; deep-tech content |
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.
https://cdmrp.health.mil/pubs/press/2026/vrppreann
Apply
View on Grants.gov → CONTACT: Teresa M Parker-Reeser Grants Officer <help@eBRAP.org>
Proposal brief SEE AN EXAMPLE →
A one-page internal memo: fit assessment, submission requirements, document scaffold, and next steps dated back from the deadline — tailored to your project idea if you add one.
Proposal shell · Department of Defense (BAA-style) conventions SEE A DOD EXAMPLE →
Funder-faithful document skeletons — Department of Defense (BAA-style)'s document set with section headings, page limits, reviewer guidance, and writing prompts; add a project idea to get [DRAFT] starter bullets. Download as .md for Word or Overleaf.