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Vision Research

Program Information

Popular name

NEI

Program Number

93.867

Program objective

1) To support eye and vision research projects that address the leading causes of blindness and impaired vision in the U.S. These include 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 support a broad program of basic vision research through grants and cooperative agreements; to encourage high quality clinical research, including clinical trials, other epidemiological studies, and health services research; to encourage research training and career development in the sciences related to vision; and to sponsor scientific workshops in high priority research areas to encourage exchange of information among scientists. 4) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) program: To increase private sector commercialization of innovations derived from Federal research and development; to encourage small business participation in Federal research and development; and to foster and encourage participation of socially and economically disadvantaged small business concerns and women-owned small business concerns in technological innovation. Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) program: To stimulate and foster scientific and technological innovation through cooperative research development carried out between small business concerns and research institutions; to foster technology transfer between small business concerns and research institutions; to increase private sector commercialization of innovations derived from Federal research and development; and to foster and encourage participation of socially and economically disadvantaged small business concerns and women-owned small business concerns in technological innovation.

Program expenditures, by FY (2023 - 2025)

This chart shows obligations for the program by fiscal year. All data for this chart was provided by the administering agency and sourced from SAM.gov, USASpending.gov, and Treasury.gov.

For more information on each of these data sources, please see the About the data page.

Additional program information

  1. 2016

    In FY 2016, the program anticipates supporting 1,295 research grants, including 51 SBIR and STTR awards, and 251 NRSA positions. In FY 2016, the program supported 1312 research grants, including 49 SBIR and STTR awards, and 250 NRSA positions.

  2. 2018

    In FY 2018, the program supported a total of 1,535 research grants, which included 47 SBIR and STTR awards, 39 research centers and 143 NRSA grants.

  3. 2019

    In FY 2019, the program supported a total of 1,590 grants, which included 1,193 Research Projects, 50 SBIR and STTR Grants, 43 Research Centers, and 157 other research grants (K, U, various R’s). The program also supported 99 individual training awards (F) and 48 institutional training awards (T) for a total of 245 NRSA research training positions.

Single Audit Applies (2 CFR Part 200 Subpart F):

For additional information on single audit requirements for this program, review the current Compliance Supplement.

OMB is working with the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) and agency offices of inspectors general to include links to relevant oversight reports. This section will be updated once this information is made available.

42 CFR 52; 42 CFR 66; 45 CFR 75; 45 CFR 92. PHS Grants Policy Statement DHHS Publication No. (OASH) 94-50,000 (Rev.) April 1, 1994, and Addendum effective February 15, 1995; "NIH Guide for Grants and Contacts and Supplements." National Eye Institute Guidelines are available on the internet at http://www.nei.nih.gov. Grants will be available under the authority of and administered in accordance with the PHS Grants Policy Statement and Federal regulations at 42 CFR 52 and 42 USC 241; Omnibus Solicitation of the Public Health Service for Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Grant and Cooperative Agreement Applications. Omnibus Solicitation of the National Institutes of Health for Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Grant Applications.

  1. Public Health Service Act, as amended, Title III, Part A, Section 301; Health Research Extension Act of 1985, Public Law 99-158, 42 U.S.C. 241; Title IV, Part B, Section 405; 42 U.S.C. 284; Part C, Section 455; 42 U.S.C. 285i; Health Omnibus Programs Extension Act of 1988, Section 487(d); Public Law 100-607, 42 U.S.C. 288(d); Small Business Research and Development Enhancement Act of 1992, Public Law 102-564.

Program details

Eligible beneficiaries

  • Federal
  • Local
  • Private nonprofit institution/organization
  • Profit organization
  • Public nonprofit institution/organization
  • Scientist/Researchers
  • Small business
  • State
  • Student/Trainee
  • U.S. Citizen

Additional resources