NEI Institutional Mentored Physician Scientist Award (K12 Clinical Trial Optional)
This grant supports institutions in developing innovative programs to train vision scientists for independent research careers, with a focus on clinician investigators engaged in vision research, particularly those from underrepresented groups. The grant allows for the appointment of Scholars to lead independent or ancillary clinical trials, with a requirement that the trials are minimal risk as defined by NIH.
Funder: National Institutes of Health
Due Dates: June 9, 2025 (New applications) | July 12, 2025 (Renewal/Resubmission/Revision) | June 9, 2026 (New) | July 12, 2026 (Renewal/Resubmission/Revision)
Funding Amounts: No budget cap; project period up to 5 years; annual direct costs up to $30,000 per scholar for program-related expenses; indirect costs capped at 8% MTDC.
Summary: Supports institutional programs to train clinically trained vision scientists for independent research careers, with a focus on clinician investigators and minimal risk clinical trials.
Key Information: Scholars must be clinically trained; only minimal risk clinical trials are allowed; strong encouragement to recruit from underrepresented groups; consult NEI staff before applying with human subjects.
Description
This opportunity from the National Eye Institute (NEI) at NIH funds institutional career development programs to prepare clinically trained vision scientists—especially clinician investigators—for independent research careers. The program is designed to expand and strengthen the community of clinician-scientists in vision research, with a strong emphasis on diversity and inclusion.
Institutions may propose creative, innovative programs that provide mentored research and career development experiences. The program allows scholars to lead independent or ancillary clinical trials, or to gain research experience in clinical trials led by others, provided all trials are minimal risk as defined by NIH.
Programs are expected to provide robust mentoring, training in rigorous and reproducible research, and support for scholars to transition to independent funding. Recruitment of scholars, mentors, and PIs from underrepresented groups and individuals with disabilities is strongly encouraged.
