The National Eye Institute (NEI), a component of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), has announced the NEI Collaborative Clinical Vision Research Project: Resource Center Grant (UG1 Clinical Trial Required). This funding opportunity supports investigator-initiated clinical trials that focus on vision research, including screening, diagnosing, preventing, and treating vision disorders. The NEI uses the UG1 cooperative agreement mechanism to fund large-scale, high-risk clinical trials, human gene-transfer studies, and stem cell therapy trials that require extensive resources, study organization, and performance oversight. The Resource Center Grant is a crucial part of these projects, providing imaging, laboratory, and other essential services necessary for multi-center clinical trials or complex vision research studies.

This grant is part of a collaborative funding structure that typically includes three companion grants: the Chair’s Grant, the Coordinating Center, and the Resource Center. The Resource Center focuses on activities such as data and specimen processing, study product manufacture, quality assurance, and standardization of study protocols. The primary purpose of this funding opportunity is to support institutions and organizations that can provide these critical services for high-risk vision-related clinical trials. Eligible applicants include institutions of higher education, nonprofit and for-profit organizations, state and local governments, tribal entities, and public housing authorities.

Applications for this grant must be submitted through the NIH ASSIST system, Grants.gov Workspace, or an institutional system-to-system solution. Required documents include a detailed description of the Resource Center’s methods, protocols for data management and statistical analysis, and plans for communication with other project components. Letters of support from key institutions must also be included. Applicants should carefully adhere to NIH application guidelines, as non-compliance may result in rejection without review.

The grant allows for new, renewal, resubmission, and revision applications. There is no pre-set award budget limit, but budgets must reflect the actual needs of the project. The maximum project period is five years. Award amounts and the number of grants issued are contingent on NIH appropriations and the availability of meritorious applications. Applications must meet NIH-defined criteria for scientific significance, innovation, approach, investigator qualifications, and project environment. NIH staff will be involved in overseeing the funded projects to ensure compliance with study protocols and objectives.

The application cycle includes multiple deadlines per year, with the next upcoming deadlines on May 25, 2024; September 25, 2024; and January 25, 2025. All applications are due by 5:00 PM local time of the applicant’s organization. The expiration date for this funding opportunity is May 26, 2026. Applicants are encouraged to submit their applications early to allow time for corrections if necessary. The review and selection process includes scientific merit review, advisory council review, and funding decisions based on program priorities and budget availability.

For inquiries regarding the application process, applicants may contact the NIH eRA Service Desk, the NIH Grants Information Office, or the Grants.gov support center. Scientific and research-related questions can be directed to Dr. Sangeeta Bhargava, Dr. Donald Everett, or Dr. Jimmy Le at NEI. Peer review-related questions should be addressed to Dr. Brian Hoshaw, and financial/grants management inquiries can be directed to Karen Robinson Smith. More information, including NIH policies and regulations, can be found in the NIH Grants Policy Statement.