# DoW Vision, Investigator-Initiated Research Award

Source: https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/ht942526vrpiira-dow-vision-investigator-initiated-research-award/  
Official notice: https://www.grants.gov/search-results-detail/362184

> Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity - DHACA is offering grants to any type of organization. It expects to make about 5 awards worth $4.4 million in total. Applications close on November 12, 2026.

| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Opportunity number | HT942526VRPIIRA |
| Agency | Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity - DHACA |
| Status | Open |
| Deadline | November 12, 2026 |
| Award ceiling | not stated |
| Award floor | not stated |
| Expected awards | 5 |
| Total funding | $4.4 million |
| Cost sharing | not required |
| Assistance Listings | 12.420 |

## Who can apply

- Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled "Additional Information on Eligibility"

## What the grant funds

Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Vision Research Program (VRP) Investigator-Initiated Research Award (IIRA) supports basic through early translational research that will yield highly impactful discoveries or major advancements in the research and/or patient care of eye injury and/or visual dysfunction related to military exposure. The IIRA may be used to support preclinical studies and/or clinical research. Research must align with at least one of the FY26 VRP Focus Areas. The IIRA cannot be used to support clinical trials. Distinctive Features: · The IIRA offers two Funding Levels to support research at different stages and the exploration/development of ideas of different maturity levels. · Funding Level 2 includes a Partnering Principal Investigator (PI) Option (PPIO) for two PIs, an Initiating PI and a Partnering PI. · Scored peer review criteria include Research Idea/Rationale, Research Strategy and Feasibility, Impact, and Personnel. · Programmatic review criteria include adherence to the intent of the IIRA, contribution to the VRP portfolio, relative impact, and relevance to military health. · The VRP may share FY26 IIRA applications and reviews with the National Eye Institute (NEI) for independent funding consideration. https://cdmrp.health.mil/pubs/press/2026/vrppreann

## Questions people ask

### Who can apply for DoW Vision, Investigator-Initiated Research Award?

Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity - DHACA accepts applications from any type of organization.

### What is the deadline for DoW Vision, Investigator-Initiated Research Award?

Closes November 12, 2026 (12 days left). Confirm the date and time in the official notice on Grants.gov.

### How much funding is available?

About $4.4 million in total across about 5 awards.