# Vision Research (93.867)

Source: https://welltoldgrants.com/programs/93-867-vision-research/  
Publisher: Well Told Grants. Data: USAspending.gov and Grants.gov, updated November 7, 2026.

Vision Research is run by Department of Health and Human Services. From fiscal 2021 to 2025 it awarded $3.4 billion in 3,275 grants, about $1.0 million per award.

## Objectives

The mission of the National Eye Institute is to eliminate vision loss and improve quality of life through vision research. The goal is to drive innovative research to understand the eye and visual system, prevent and treat vision diseases, and expand opportunities for people who are blind or require vision rehabilitation. Research grants and cooperative agreements 1) Support eye and vision research projects that address the leading causes of blindness and impaired vision in the U.S. These include, but are not limited to, retinal diseases; corneal diseases; cataract; glaucoma and optic neuropathies; strabismus; amblyopia; and low vision and blindness rehabilitation. 2) To increase understanding of the normal development and function of the visual system in order to better prevent, diagnose, and treat sight-threatening conditions; and, to enhance the rehabilitation, training, and quality of life of individuals who are partially-sighted or blind. 3) To encourage high quality clinical research, including clinical trials, other epidemiological studies, and health services research.

## Funding by fiscal year

| Year | Amount | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| 2021 | $643 million | 1,645 |
| 2022 | $669 million | 1,722 |
| 2023 | $691 million | 1,691 |
| 2024 | $689 million | 1,662 |
| 2025 | $697 million | 1,571 |

## Largest recipients

| Recipient | State | Amount |
|---|---|---|
| The Johns Hopkins University | Maryland | $139 million |
| The Leland Stanford Junior University | California | $96.5 million |
| The Regents of the University of California, San Francisco | California | $89.9 million |
| Duke University | North Carolina | $75.5 million |
| The Trustees of the University of Pennsylvania | Pennsylvania | $73.9 million |
| University of Washington | Washington | $72.4 million |
| Jaeb Center for Health Research Foundation, Inc. | Florida | $70.8 million |
| Oregon Health & Science University | Oregon | $69.2 million |
| The Trustees of Columbia University in the City of New York | New York | $65.4 million |
| University of Pittsburgh - of the Commonwealth System of Higher Education | Pennsylvania | $64.2 million |
| Baylor College of Medicine | Texas | $61.5 million |
| The Schepens Eye Research Institute, Inc. | Massachusetts | $60.4 million |
| University of California, Los Angeles | California | $58.9 million |
| University of California Irvine | California | $58.2 million |
| Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary | Massachusetts | $56.8 million |
| University of California, San Diego | California | $54.2 million |
| University of Rochester | New York | $52.8 million |
| University of Illinois | Illinois | $52.2 million |
| The Children's Hospital Corporation | Massachusetts | $52.0 million |
| Regents of the University of Michigan | Michigan | $47.9 million |

## Open opportunities

- [Ethical, Legal and Social Implications (ELSI) Exploratory/Developmental Research Grant (R21 Clinical Trial Optional)](https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/par-25-369-ethical-legal-and-social-implications-elsi-exploratory/), closes November 18, 2026
- [Ethical, Legal and Social Implications (ELSI) Research (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)](https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/par-25-371-ethical-legal-and-social-implications-elsi-research-r01/), closes November 18, 2026
- [Competing Revisions to Existing NIH Single Project Research Grants and Cooperative Agreements (Clinical Trial Optional)](https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/pa-23-317-competing-revisions-to-existing-nih-single-project-research/), closes November 24, 2026
- [Emerging Global Leader Award (K43 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed)](https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/par-24-296-emerging-global-leader-award-k43-independent-clinical-trial/), closes December 3, 2026
- [NIH Research Software Engineer (RSE) Award (R50 Clinical Trials Not Allowed)](https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/rfa-od-24-011-nih-research-software-engineer-rse-award-r50-clinical/), closes December 4, 2026
- [Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA) for Undergraduate-Focused Institutions (R15 Clinical Trial Required)](https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/par-24-214-academic-research-enhancement-award-area-for-undergraduate/), closes January 7, 2027
- [HEAL Initiative: Studies to Enable Analgesic Discovery (R61/R33 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed)](https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/rfa-ns-25-023-heal-initiative-studies-to-enable-analgesic-discovery-r61/), closes January 15, 2027
- [Biomedical Research Environment and Sponsored Programs Administration Development (BRE-SPAD) Program (UC2- Clinical Trial Not Allowed)](https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/par-24-268-biomedical-research-environment-and-sponsored-programs/), closes January 27, 2027
- [BRAIN Initiative: Preclinical Proof of Concept for Novel Recording and Modulation Technologies in the Human CNS (R18 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed)](https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/rfa-ns-24-031-brain-initiative-preclinical-proof-of-concept-for-novel/), closes January 28, 2027
- [BRAIN Initiative: Development and Validation of Novel Tools to Probe Cell-Specific and Circuit-Specific Processes in the Brain (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)](https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/rfa-mh-26-170-brain-initiative-development-and-validation-of-novel-tools/), closes February 8, 2027
- [BRAIN Initiative: Exploratory Research Opportunities Using Invasive Neural Recording and Stimulating Technologies in the Human Brain (R61 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)](https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/rfa-dc-27-004-brain-initiative-exploratory-research-opportunities-using/), closes February 11, 2027
- [NLM Institutional Grants for Research Training in Biomedical Informatics, Data Science, and AI (T15 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed)](https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/rfa-lm-28-001-nlm-institutional-grants-for-research-training-in-biomedical/), closes February 11, 2027
- [Discovery of in vivo Chemical Probes for the Nervous System (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)](https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/par-27-081-discovery-of-in-vivo-chemical-probes-for-the/), closes March 5, 2027
- [NIH, CDC and FDA Small Business Innovation Research Grant (Parent SBIR [R43/R44] Clinical Trial Optional)](https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/pa-27-100-nih-cdc-and-fda-small-business-innovation-research/), closes April 5, 2027
- [NIH Small Business Technology Transfer Grant (Parent STTR [R41/R42] Clinical Trial Optional)](https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/pa-27-102-nih-small-business-technology-transfer-grant-parent-sttr/), closes April 5, 2027
- [Mentored Quantitative Research Development Award (Parent K25 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed)](https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/pa-24-191-mentored-quantitative-research-development-award-parent-k25/), closes May 7, 2027
- [NIH Pathway to Independence Award (Parent K99/R00 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed)](https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/pa-24-194-nih-pathway-to-independence-award-parent-k99-r00/), closes May 7, 2027
- [Mentored Clinical Scientist Research Career Development Award (Parent K08 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed)](https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/pa-24-182-mentored-clinical-scientist-research-career-development/), closes May 8, 2027
- [BRAIN Initiative: Reagent Resources for Brain Cell Type-Specific Access to Broaden Distribution of Enabling Technologies for Neuroscience (U24 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)](https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/rfa-mh-26-120-brain-initiative-reagent-resources-for-brain-cell-type/), closes June 15, 2027
- [BRAIN Initiative: Brain Behavior Quantification and Synchronization- Next Generation Sensor Technology Development (U01 Clinical Trial Optional)](https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/rfa-mh-26-140-brain-initiative-brain-behavior-quantification-and/), closes June 15, 2027
- [Change of Recipient Organization (Type 7 Parent Clinical Trial Optional)](https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/pa-24-254-change-of-recipient-organization-type-7-parent-clinical/), closes July 12, 2027
- [Successor-in-Interest (Type 6 Parent Clinical Trial Optional)](https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/pa-24-253-successor-in-interest-type-6-parent-clinical-trial/), closes July 17, 2027
- [Blueprint Neurotherapeutics Network (BPN): Biologic-based Drug Discovery and Development for Disorders of the Nervous System (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Optional)](https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/par-24-293-blueprint-neurotherapeutics-network-bpn-biologic-based-drug/), closes August 18, 2027
- [NIH Support for Conferences and Scientific Meetings (Parent R13 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)](https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/pa-25-080-nih-support-for-conferences-and-scientific-meetings-parent/), closes September 7, 2027
- [Bioengineering Partnerships with Industry (U01 Clinical Trial Optional)](https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/par-24-325-bioengineering-partnerships-with-industry-u01-clinical/), closes September 7, 2027
- [BRAIN Initiative Connectivity across Scales (BRAIN CONNECTS): Specialized Projects for Scalable Technologies (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)](https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/rfa-ns-27-015-brain-initiative-connectivity-across-scales-brain-connects/), closes October 4, 2027
- [NEI Research Grant for Vision-Related Secondary Data Analysis (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)](https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/par-25-357-nei-research-grant-for-vision-related-secondary-data/), closes October 16, 2027
- [Research Enhancement Award Program (REAP) for Health Professional Schools and Graduate Schools (R15 Clinical Trial Required)](https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/par-27-078-research-enhancement-award-program-reap-for-health/), closes October 25, 2027
- [BRAIN Initiative: Theories, Models and Methods for Analysis of Complex Data from the Brain (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)](https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/rfa-da-27-004-brain-initiative-theories-models-and-methods-for-analysis/), closes November 8, 2027
- [Dissemination and Implementation Research in Health (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)](https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/par-25-144-dissemination-and-implementation-research-in-health-r01/), closes January 7, 2028
- [Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA) for Undergraduate-Focused Institutions (R15 Clinical Trial Required)](https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/par-25-148-academic-research-enhancement-award-area-for-undergraduate/), closes January 7, 2028
- [Academic Research Enhancement Award (AREA) for Undergraduate-Focused Institutions (R15 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)](https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/par-25-134-academic-research-enhancement-award-area-for-undergraduate/), closes January 7, 2028
- [Research Enhancement Award Program (REAP) for Health Professional Schools and Graduate Schools (R15 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)](https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/par-25-298-research-enhancement-award-program-reap-for-health/), closes January 7, 2028
- [NIH Exploratory/Developmental Research Project Grant (Parent R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)](https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/pa-25-304-nih-exploratory-developmental-research-project-grant-parent/), closes January 7, 2028
- [NIH Exploratory/Developmental Research Project Grant (Parent R21 Clinical Trial Required)](https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/pa-25-306-nih-exploratory-developmental-research-project-grant-parent/), closes January 7, 2028
- [NIH Research Project Grant (Parent R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)](https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/pa-25-301-nih-research-project-grant-parent-r01-clinical-trial/), closes January 7, 2028
- [NIH Research Project Grant (Parent R01 Clinical Trial Required)](https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/pa-25-305-nih-research-project-grant-parent-r01-clinical-trial/), closes January 7, 2028
- [Academic-Industrial Partnerships for Translation of Technologies for Diagnosis and Treatment (R01 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed)](https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/par-25-338-academic-industrial-partnerships-for-translation-of/), closes January 7, 2028
- [NEI Clinical Research Study Planning Grant Program (R34 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)](https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/par-25-358-nei-clinical-research-study-planning-grant-program-r34/), closes January 7, 2028
- [Stimulating Access to Research in Residency (StARR) (R38 Independent Clinical Trial Not Allowed)](https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/rfa-hl-26-012-stimulating-access-to-research-in-residency-starr-r38/), closes January 10, 2028
- [Blueprint MedTech Translator (UG3/UH3 - Clinical Trial Optional)](https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/par-25-383-blueprint-medtech-translator-ug3-uh3-clinical-trial-optional/), closes January 28, 2028
- [Expanding the Target Landscape by Drugging the Undruggable (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)](https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/par-25-442-expanding-the-target-landscape-by-drugging-the-undruggable/), closes February 17, 2028
- [Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Institutional Research Training Grant (Parent T32)](https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/pa-25-168-ruth-l-kirschstein-national-research-service-award-nrsa/), closes May 4, 2028
- [Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Short-Term Institutional Research Training Grant (Parent T35)](https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/pa-25-280-ruth-l-kirschstein-national-research-service-award-nrsa/), closes May 7, 2028
- [Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Postdoctoral Fellowship (Parent F32)](https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/pa-25-423-ruth-l-kirschstein-national-research-service-award-nrsa/), closes May 7, 2028
- [Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Fellowship for Students at Institutions Without NIH-Funded Institutional Predoctoral Dual-Degree Training Programs (Parent F30)](https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/pa-25-425-ruth-l-kirschstein-national-research-service-award-nrsa/), closes May 7, 2028
- [Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Fellowship for Students at Institutions with NIH-Funded Institutional Predoctoral Dual-Degree Training Programs (Parent F30)](https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/pa-25-426-ruth-l-kirschstein-national-research-service-award-nrsa/), closes May 7, 2028
- [Ruth L. Kirschstein National Research Service Award (NRSA) Individual Predoctoral Fellowship (Parent F31)](https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/pa-25-422-ruth-l-kirschstein-national-research-service-award-nrsa/), closes May 7, 2028
- [INCLUDE Project: Exploratory/Developmental Research Awards for Down syndrome (R21 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)](https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/rfa-od-27-003-include-project-exploratory-developmental-research-awards/), closes June 15, 2028
- [INCLUDE Project: Transformative Research Awards for Down syndrome (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)](https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/rfa-od-27-004-include-project-transformative-research-awards-for-down/), closes June 15, 2028
- [BRAIN Initiative: Integrative Team-Research BRAIN Circuits Program - iBCP (RM1 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)](https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/rfa-ns-27-002-brain-initiative-integrative-team-research-brain-circuits/), closes June 23, 2028
- [Shared Instrumentation Grant (SIG) Program (S10 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)](https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/par-27-022-shared-instrumentation-grant-sig-program-s10-clinical-trial/), closes July 1, 2028
- [Stephen I. Katz Early Stage Investigator Research Project Grant (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)](https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/par-25-322-stephen-i-katz-early-stage-investigator-research-project/), closes August 25, 2028
- [Support for Research Excellence (SuRE) Award (R16 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)](https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/par-25-414-support-for-research-excellence-sure-award-r16-clinical/), closes September 7, 2028
- [Support for Research Excellence First Independent Research (SuRE-First) Award (R16 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed)](https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/par-25-415-support-for-research-excellence-first-independent-research/), closes September 7, 2028
- [Development of Candidate Medical Countermeasures (MCMs) and Technologies Against Radiological/Nuclear or Chemical Threats (U01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)](https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/rfa-ai-27-014-development-of-candidate-medical-countermeasures-mcms-and/), closes October 9, 2028
- [Administrative Supplements to Existing NIH Grants and Cooperative Agreements (Parent Admin Supp Clinical Trial Optional)](https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/pa-26-001-administrative-supplements-to-existing-nih-grants-and/), closes November 30, 2028
- [Limited Competition: Instrumentation Grant Program for Resource-Limited Institutions (S10 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed)](https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/par-27-067-limited-competition-instrumentation-grant-program-for/), closes January 26, 2029
- [BRAIN Initiative: Research Opportunities Using Invasive Neural Recording and Stimulating Technologies in the Human Brain (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)](https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/rfa-ns-28-010-brain-initiative-research-opportunities-using-invasive/), closes February 8, 2029
- [HEAL Initiative: Non-addictive Analgesic Therapeutics Development [Small Molecules and Biologics] to Treat Pain (UG3/UH3 Clinical Trial Optional)](https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/rfa-ns-27-007-heal-initiative-non-addictive-analgesic-therapeutics/), closes February 20, 2029
- [SBIR/STTR Commercialization Readiness Pilot (CRP) Program (Parent SB1 Clinical Trial Optional)](https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/par-27-098-sbir-sttr-commercialization-readiness-pilot-crp-program/), closes April 5, 2029
- [NIH Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase IIB Strategic Breakthrough Award (Parent [R44] Clinical Trial Optional)](https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/pa-27-101-nih-small-business-innovation-research-sbir-phase-iib/), closes April 5, 2029
- [Predoctoral to Postdoctoral Transition Award (Parent F99/K00 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed)](https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/pa-27-037-predoctoral-to-postdoctoral-transition-award-parent-f99-k00/), closes April 8, 2029
- [NIH Research Education Program - Research Experiences (Parent R25 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed)](https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/pa-27-036-nih-research-education-program-research-experiences-parent/), closes May 5, 2029
- [NIH Research Educational Program - Mentoring Activities & Networks (Parent R25/UE5 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed)](https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/pa-27-035-nih-research-educational-program-mentoring-activities/), closes May 5, 2029
- [NIH Collaborative International Research Project (Parent PF5 Clinical Trial Optional)](https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/pa-26-002-nih-collaborative-international-research-project-parent-pf5/), closes May 7, 2029
- [NIH Science Education Partnership Award (SEPA) (R25 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed)](https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/par-27-077-nih-science-education-partnership-award-sepa-r25-clinical/), closes May 25, 2029
- [NIH Research Education Program - Courses, Curriculum & Methods (Parent R25 - Clinical Trial Not Allowed)](https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/pa-27-034-nih-research-education-program-courses-curriculum-methods/), closes May 25, 2029
- [Bioengineering Research Grants (BRG) (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)](https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/par-27-072-bioengineering-research-grants-brg-r01-clinical-trial/), closes July 5, 2029
- [Institutional Mentored Career Development Award (Parent K12) (Clinical Trials Not Allowed)](https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/pa-27-030-institutional-mentored-career-development-award-parent-k12/), closes July 12, 2029
- [Collaborative Program Grant for Interdisciplinary Teams (RM1 Clinical Trial Optional)](https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/par-27-003-collaborative-program-grant-for-interdisciplinary-teams-rm1/), closes September 26, 2029
- [NEI Translational Research Program for Therapeutics (R61/R33 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)](https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/par-28-072-nei-translational-research-program-for-therapeutics-r61-r33/), closes November 16, 2029
- [NextTech: Translational Development of Next-Generation Diagnostic and Therapeutic Devices (R18 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)](https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/rfa-eb-28-004-nexttech-translational-development-of-next-generation/), closes December 1, 2030
- [Small Business Transition Grant for New Entrepreneurs (Parent R43/R44 Clinical Trial Optional)](https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/par-27-039-small-business-transition-grant-for-new-entrepreneurs-parent/), closes not stated
- [Small Business Transition Grant for New Entrepreneurs (Parent R41/R42 Clinical Trial Optional)](https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/par-27-040-small-business-transition-grant-for-new-entrepreneurs-parent/), closes not stated
- [Investigator-Focused Award (Parent R35)](https://welltoldgrants.com/grants/par-28-037-investigator-focused-award-parent-r35/), closes not stated