[National Institutes of Health (NIH)](https://www.nih.gov/)

November 17, 2025

Not specified; award size and duration vary by project.

Supports small businesses conducting early-stage, greater-than-minimal-risk clinical trials (typically Phase I or II) for interventions targeting vision disorders.

Only U.S. small businesses are eligible; foreign organizations may not apply.

--- ## Description This opportunity, issued by the National Eye Institute (NEI) under the NIH Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program, funds early-stage clinical trials with greater than minimal risk—usually Phase I or II—proposed by U.S. small businesses. The trials must be investigator-initiated and focused on evaluating interventions that screen, diagnose, prevent, or treat vision disorders. The program is designed to ensure appropriate performance oversight and safety monitoring for higher-risk clinical studies. Applicants are strongly encouraged to consult NEI program staff before submitting proposals involving human subjects to confirm the suitability of their project for this opportunity. --- ## Due Dates - Application Deadline: November 17, 2025 --- ## Funding Amount - No specific award ceiling or floor is stated in the announcement. - Funding amount and duration are determined by project scope and NEI/NIH guidelines. - Cost sharing or matching is **not required**. --- ## Eligibility - Only U.S. small businesses (Small Business Concerns, SBCs) are eligible to apply. - Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities and non-domestic components of U.S. organizations are **not eligible**. - Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, may be allowed with conditions. - Applicants must meet the SBIR program requirements. --- ## Application Process - Applicants should review the full [funding announcement](http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-24-066.html) for detailed instructions. - Strongly advised to consult with NEI program staff prior to submission, especially for projects involving human subjects. - Applications must be submitted electronically via [Grants.gov](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/351266). - Prepare all required documentation as specified in the NIH SBIR application instructions. --- ## Additional Information - This is a cooperative agreement; substantial NIH/NEI programmatic involvement is anticipated during the project. - The funding opportunity is focused on clinical trials with greater than minimal risk; typically, these are Phase I or II studies. - Projects must address interventions for vision disorders. - See the [NIH Grants Policy Statement](https://grants.nih.gov/policy/nihgps/index.htm) for definitions and additional requirements. --- ## External Links - [Full Program Announcement (NIH Guide)](http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-24-066.html) - [Grants.gov Listing and Application Portal](https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/351266) - [NIH SBIR Program Overview](https://sbir.nih.gov/) --- ## Contact Information | Contact | Email | Notes | |------------------------|---------------------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | NIH Grants Information | grantsinfo@nih.gov | See Section VII. Agency Contacts in the [full announcement](http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-24-066.html) for details. |

NEI Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Cooperative Agreement for Early-Stage Clinical Trials with Greater than Minimal Risk (U44-Clinical Trial Required)

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