Limited Competition: NEI - DOD Vision Research Collaborative (R01 Clinical Trial Optional) | PAR 21 161

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1) What is the title and funding opportunity number for this grant?

The opportunity is titled "Limited Competition: NEI - DOD Vision Research Collaborative (R01 Clinical Trial Optional)" and the Funding Opportunity Number is PAR-21-161.

2) Which agency runs this funding opportunity?

This is a discretionary grant program run by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) through the National Eye Institute (NEI).

3) What is the main purpose of this FOA?

The purpose is to create a formal, joint initiative between NEI and the Department of Defense (DOD) Vision Research Program (VRP). It is designed to provide a pathway for certain high-quality vision research proposals originally submitted to the DOD VRP that were found scientifically meritorious but were not funded by DOD due to limited funds or programmatic constraints.

4) What does "limited competition" mean in this context?

"Limited competition" indicates this is not a typical open call where any applicant can submit any vision-related idea. Instead, it is intended for a defined pool of applicants connected to the DOD VRP submission pipeline, generally those with proposals that have already been reviewed and deemed meritorious by DOD VRP but were left unfunded.

5) What is meant by a "second-chance" pathway?

This FOA is described as a way for NEI to potentially fund meritorious DOD VRP proposals that could not be supported by DOD funding or programmatic limits, so that strong projects can continue rather than stall.

6) What grant mechanism does this opportunity use?

The mechanism is an R01 research project grant.

7) Are clinical trials required?

No. Clinical trials are optional under this announcement. Applicants may propose either clinical trial work or non-clinical trial research, depending on what best fits the scientific aims.

8) What general research area does this FOA support?

It supports vision research and vision health research, particularly projects aligned with shared interests of NEI and the DOD Vision Research Program.

9) What is the funding activity category?

The funding activity category is health.

10) What is the CFDA number associated with this opportunity?

The CFDA number listed is 93.867.

11) When was this funding opportunity created?

The opportunity was created on March 5, 2021.

12) What was the original closing date?

The original closing date was April 22, 2021.

13) Who is eligible to apply (at the organization level)?

Eligibility is broad across many organizational types, consistent with many NIH opportunities, as long as the applicant meets the specific limited-competition requirements tied to the DOD VRP context. The listing explicitly mentions eligible applicants that include independent school districts, public housing authorities and Indian housing authorities, and other organizations.

14) Are tribal governments included as eligible applicants?

Yes. The source description explicitly notes Indian/Native American Tribal Governments that are not federally recognized as eligible applicants (in addition to other eligible categories).

15) Are foreign organizations eligible to apply?

Yes. The listing explicitly includes non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities or foreign organizations as eligible applicants.

16) Are regional organizations eligible to apply?

Yes. Regional organizations are explicitly listed as eligible applicants.

17) Are U.S. territories or possessions eligible to apply?

Yes. U.S. territories or possessions are explicitly included among eligible applicants.

18) Is this FOA open to any vision research idea?

No. Based on the "limited competition" description provided, it is not a general open solicitation. It is meant for certain meritorious proposals already submitted to and reviewed by the DOD VRP that were not funded by DOD.

19) Why did NEI and DOD set up this collaborative pathway?

The intent is to leverage prior review efforts, reduce duplication, and move high-value projects into NIH funding more efficiently, while still applying NIH standards and priorities for support.

20) Does this FOA guarantee funding for meritorious DOD VRP proposals?

No guarantee is stated in the provided information. The FOA is described as a pathway NEI can use to potentially pick up and fund certain proposals, implying selection and funding decisions still apply.

21) Are the award ceiling and expected number of awards provided?

No. The award ceiling and expected number of awards are not specified in the provided data.

22) Where would an applicant typically look for budget limits and project period expectations?

Because the award ceiling and number of awards are not specified in the provided data, applicants would typically need to consult the full FOA text for budget limits, project period expectations, and any special submission instructions.

23) What types of expectations are typical for an R01 in this context?

The provided information notes that typical NIH expectations would apply, such as a strong scientific premise, a rigorous approach, an appropriate research team and environment, and clear relevance to vision research priorities. The distinctive feature here is the collaborative NEI-DOD intent and the focus on meritorious VRP proposals that missed DOD funding.

24) Does the FOA indicate any special relationship to prior DOD review?

Yes. A central feature is that it targets proposals that were already submitted to the DOD VRP and judged scientifically meritorious, leveraging that prior review effort rather than duplicating it from scratch.

25) What is the practical benefit of this FOA for applicants whose DOD VRP proposals were not funded?

It provides a potential NEI funding route that helps maintain momentum on promising projects that could not be supported by DOD due to limited funds or programmatic constraints.