DoW Vision, Investigator-Initiated Research Award
This grant funds preclinical and early translational research on eye injuries or visual dysfunction from military exposure, supporting impactful studies but not clinical trials, with options for single or partnered investigators.
Funder: Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA
Due Dates: July 28, 2026: Pre-Application (Preproposal) | November 12, 2026: Full Application | November 17, 2026: End of Application Verification Period
Funding Amounts: Funding Level 1: up to $400,000 (2 years) | Funding Level 2: up to $1,200,000 (3 years); ~5 awards, total program funding $4.4M (FY26)
Summary: Supports investigator-initiated basic through early translational research on eye injury and visual dysfunction related to military exposure; clinical trials are not permitted.
Key Information: Preproposal required; full applications by invitation only; open to all organizations and independent investigators.
Description
This opportunity supports investigator-initiated research aiming to advance understanding, prevention, diagnosis, mitigation, and/or treatment of eye injury or visual dysfunction associated with military exposure. Projects may range from basic to early translational research, including preclinical and clinical research, but clinical trials are not allowed. The program is intended to yield highly impactful discoveries or major advancements in research and patient care for conditions relevant to military personnel.
Two funding levels are offered:
- Funding Level 1: Supports early-stage, high-risk/high-reward research projects, with or without preliminary data.
- Funding Level 2: Supports more mature projects moving toward clinical translation and requires preliminary data. A Partnering PI Option (PPIO) is available, allowing two PIs to collaborate on a single project.
Research must align with at least one of the FY26 Vision Research Program (VRP) Focus Areas, such as:
- Understanding and treating eye injury or visual dysfunction related to military exposure
- Diagnosing, stabilizing, and treating eye injuries in austere environments
- Restoring visual function after vision loss or severe impairment due to military exposure
