The NEI uses UG1 cooperative agreement awards to support investigator-initiated clinical vision research projects, including multi-center clinical trials, human gene-transfer, stem cell therapy trials, epidemiological studies, and other studies that are complex, high resource, or that require increased oversight due to elevated safety considerations.

These collaborative clinical vision research projects would address chronic diseases across the lifespan through research on the burden of eye and vision conditions, their causes, diagnoses, prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation.  These projects are multifaceted and of high public health significance, requiring careful oversight and monitoring by National Institutes of Health (NIH) staff.  

The intent of this funding opportunity announcement is to provide a collaborative framework for the following components: Chair's Grant, Coordinating Center, and Resource Center(s).

Government

• State governments
• City or township governments
• Public and Indian housing authorities
• Special district governments
• County governments
• Federally recognized Native American tribal governments

Miscellaneous

• Other

Nonprofit

• Nonprofits non-higher education without 501(c)(3)
• Other Native American tribal organizations
• Nonprofits non-higher education with 501(c)(3)

Business

• Small businesses
• For-profit organizations other than small businesses

Education

• Public and state institutions of higher education
• Private institutions of higher education
• Independent school districts