NEI Clinical Research Study Planning Grant Program (R34 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
NEI grant supports planning for large clinical vision research projects including trials and studies on eye conditions, requiring detailed study protocols and procedures.
Funder: National Institutes of Health
Due Dates: June 16, 2025 (New) | July 16, 2025 (Renewal/Resubmission/Revision) | September 7, 2025 (AIDS) | October 16, 2025 (New) | November 16, 2025 (Renewal/Resubmission/Revision) | January 7, 2026 (AIDS) | Additional standard NIH dates through January 2028
Funding Amounts: Up to $150,000 direct costs per year (plus F&A for consortia); maximum project period is 2 years.
Summary: Supports planning and protocol development for large-scale collaborative clinical vision research, including epidemiologic studies and clinical trials, but does not fund clinical trials themselves.
Key Information: Clinical trials are not allowed; funding is for planning and preparatory activities only.
Description
This opportunity from the National Eye Institute (NEI), part of the NIH, provides support for the planning phase of large-scale clinical vision research projects. The grant is intended to help investigators develop detailed study protocols and Manuals of Procedures (MOPs) for future collaborative clinical research, including randomized clinical trials and epidemiologic studies related to eye and vision conditions. The funding is specifically for preparatory activities and does not support the conduct of clinical trials or the collection of preclinical/animal data.
The grant may be used for:
- Developing and finalizing study protocols and MOPs
- Conducting preliminary studies to refine procedures or document recruitment feasibility
- Establishing collaborative arrangements and administrative procedures
- Developing data management tools and safety monitoring plans
- Preparing for regulatory approvals and standardizing procedures across sites
Note: The grant must not be used to generate data on the effects of a proposed intervention or to conduct any research that meets the NIH definition of a clinical trial.
