NEI Vision Research Epidemiology Grant (UG1 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | PAR 21 204

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 21 204

The NEI Vision Research Epidemiology Grant (UG1 Clinical Trial Not Allowed), Funding Opportunity Number PAR-21-204, is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) cooperative agreement aimed at backing ambitious, investigator-initiated epidemiology projects focused on vision and eye health. Administered by the National Eye Institute (NEI) under CFDA 93.867, this program is designed for studies that are unusually complex, resource-intensive, multi-center, or otherwise considered higher risk because of their scale and operational demands. The core goal is to stimulate new and innovative ocular epidemiology research, meaning proposals are expected to move beyond routine analyses and instead tackle important population-level questions in eye disease, visual impairment, and related determinants using robust epidemiologic approaches.

Because the award mechanism is a UG1 cooperative agreement, applicants should anticipate a more collaborative relationship with NEI than a standard research grant. In practical terms, UG1 funding is commonly used when a project requires substantial coordination, harmonization across sites, or structured oversight to successfully execute. This fits epidemiologic efforts such as large cohort studies, major longitudinal or multi-site observational studies, or other large-scale population research where consistent protocols, shared data systems, and centralized quality control are essential. At the same time, the announcement explicitly states "Clinical Trial Not Allowed," which signals that the funded work must not be structured as an intervention study in which participants are prospectively assigned to an intervention to evaluate health outcomes. The intent is to support epidemiology rather than interventional clinical trial activity.

Eligibility is broad and includes many types of domestic U.S. organizations and certain non-U.S. entities. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township, special district governments, independent school districts, and public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities. Higher education applicants can include public and state-controlled institutions of higher education as well as private institutions of higher education. Tribal eligibility includes federally recognized Native American tribal governments and Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments), along with Indian/Native American tribal governments that are not federally recognized. The opportunity also welcomes nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status and nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (in both cases, other than institutions of higher education), for-profit organizations other than small businesses, and small businesses. In addition, the FOA highlights other eligible applicant types such as Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, AANAPISIs (Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), eligible federal agencies, faith-based or community-based organizations, regional organizations, and U.S. territories or possessions. Non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations) are also listed among eligible applicants, which is notable for epidemiology projects that may involve international populations or global collaborations, provided the work aligns with NEI priorities and NIH requirements.

The opportunity is categorized as discretionary funding and uses the cooperative agreement funding instrument, with the activity area listed as health. The FOA was created on 2021-06-28, and the original closing date provided is 2024-09-07. The source data does not specify an award ceiling or the expected number of awards, so applicants would typically need to consult the full FOA text and NIH budget guidance to understand likely budget ranges, project periods, and any programmatic preferences related to size, scope, or multi-site structure.

In summary, PAR-21-204 is best understood as NEI support for large or otherwise demanding vision epidemiology studies that benefit from NIH program involvement and coordinated execution, while staying clearly on the observational/epidemiologic side rather than testing assigned interventions as clinical trials.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NEI Vision Research Epidemiology Grant (UG1 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.867.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2021-06-28.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2024-09-07. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• Eligible applicants include: State governments, County governments, City or township governments, Special district governments, Independent school districts, Public and State controlled institutions of higher education, Native American tribal governments (Federally recognized), Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.

Apply for PAR 21 204

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