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Grants / Department of Health and Human Services / National Institutes of Health

NEI Translational Research Program for Therapeutics (R61/R33 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)

Open Closes November 16, 2029 (1112 days left) Opportunity PAR-28-072

National Institutes of Health is offering grants to nonprofits, colleges and universities, state and local governments, tribes, small businesses and businesses. Applications close on November 16, 2029.

From the official notice on Grants.gov, last changed September 25, 2026. Checked October 31, 2026.

Key dates

PostedSeptember 25, 2026
DeadlineNovember 16, 2029
Archived by Grants.govJanuary 15, 2030

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Who can apply

This opportunity is open to nonprofits, colleges and universities, state and local governments, tribes, small businesses and businesses.

Refer to Section III. Eligibility Information in the NOFO for additional information on eligibility. Foreign Organizations/International CollaborationsNon-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations) are not eligible to apply. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are not eligible to apply. Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed.NIH will no longer issue awards (i.e., new, renewal, or non-competing continuation) to domestic or foreign entities that involve foreign subawards/subcontracts. All NIH-funded research involving foreign subawards/subcontracts must be submitted in response to a NOFO that is specifically designated for funded international collaborations. See NIH Grants Policy Statement 16.8 Collaborative International Research Awards. Applications involving foreign subawards/subcontracts submitted in response to this NOFO will be deemed noncompliant and will not be considered for funding. This policy applies to all monetary international collaborations resulting in foreign subawards/subcontracts, however, it does not preclude unfunded international collaborations or foreign components, funding for foreign consultants, or procurement of unique equipment or supplies from foreign vendors.

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Is this a realistic fit?

What the grant funds

The purpose of NEI's Translational Research program (TRP) is the rapid and efficient translation of innovative laboratory research findings into therapeutics for use by clinicians to treat visual system diseases or disorders. The TRP will support the product development of biological, pharmaceutical, medical device, and/or combination therapies for any disease or disorder of the visual system. The TRP will utilize a bi-phasic, milestone-driven mechanism of award. The R61 phase can be up to two years and will support research that has demonstrated significant preliminary data but has not advanced to the level of clinical translation. The R33 phase can be up to four years and will support research that is in the final states of preclinical development with potential for near-term clinical development. The total duration of both R61 and R33 cannot exceed five years. The R33 is to focus on advancing a single therapeutic candidate through Investigational New Drug or Investigational Device Exemption (IND/IDE) enabling studies, filing an IND/IDE package with the FDA, and designing future clinical trials. R33 recipients must submit or obtain an IND/IDE application to FDA, or must transition the product to clinical practice, within the period of performance. The specific activities appropriate for the R33 phase will depend on the product under study and available preliminary data on the product. Delineation of milestones by the applicant for the R61 and R33 phases is a key characteristic of this program. A milestone is defined as a scheduled event in the project timeline that signifies the completion of a major project stage or activity. This program will support applications that propose a series of milestones including manufacturing and product development goals. Applications that address contingency plans to proactively confront potential delays in meeting the milestones are strongly encouraged. Milestones are required for both phases. Milestones must be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). All projects will begin with a R61 phase regardless of therapeutic starting point.

Category: Health.

How to apply

  1. Read the full notice and attachments on Grants.gov. The notice is the official source for deadlines and requirements.
  2. Make sure your organization has an active SAM.gov registration and Unique Entity ID; registration can take several weeks.
  3. Register on Grants.gov and submit through Workspace before the deadline and time given in the notice. Our application guide walks through each step.

Questions go to National Institutes of Health, NEI_extramural@nih.gov, 301-402-2541.

Open the official notice

Questions people ask

Who can apply for NEI Translational Research Program for Therapeutics (R61/R33 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)?

National Institutes of Health accepts applications from nonprofits, colleges and universities, state and local governments, tribes, small businesses and businesses. The notice adds further conditions, so read its eligibility section.

What is the deadline for NEI Translational Research Program for Therapeutics (R61/R33 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)?

Closes November 16, 2029 (1112 days left). Confirm the date and time in the official notice on Grants.gov.

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