OpenFederal grantOpen to for-profit businessesHT942526VRPIIRA

DoW Vision, Investigator-Initiated Research Award

Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity - DHACACloses Nov 12, 2026(30 days left)

Does this fit your business?

This is a Department of Defense vision research grant for investigators studying eye injury and visual dysfunction tied to military exposure, from basic science through early translational work. It is for established research teams in healthcare and biotech; businesses or nonprofits outside that research space should not bother applying. Clinical trials are explicitly excluded.

Best for
Research teams studying eye injury or visual dysfunction tied to military exposure, Healthcare and biotech investigators doing basic or early translational research, Small businesses with relevant vision research programs, Nonprofits, universities, and government or tribal entities with vision research capability
Not for
Clinical trials or patient-care delivery projects, Businesses outside vision research with no military health angle, Organizations needing cost-share-free operating funds unrelated to research
Estimated fit by industry, best first
IndustryEstimated fit
Healthcare & BiotechMatches your industry (health, clinical)
71
Good Match
Environment & ConservationLimit: Nothing in this notice points to environment & conservation
54
Possible Match
Technology & SoftwareLimit: Nothing in this notice points to technology & software
54
Possible Match
Education & TrainingLimit: Nothing in this notice points to education & training
53
Possible Match
Energy & Clean TechLimit: Nothing in this notice points to energy & clean tech
53
Possible Match
Food & BeverageLimit: Nothing in this notice points to food & beverage
51
Possible Match
Show all 15 industries
Estimated fit by industry, best first
IndustryEstimated fit
Retail & E-CommerceLimit: Nothing in this notice points to retail & e-commerce
51
Possible Match
Housing & Real EstateLimit: Nothing in this notice points to housing & real estate
50
Possible Match
ManufacturingLimit: Nothing in this notice points to manufacturing
50
Possible Match
Agriculture & FarmingLimit: Nothing in this notice points to agriculture & farming
49
Possible Match
Arts & CultureLimit: Nothing in this notice points to arts & culture
48
Possible Match
Construction & InfrastructureLimit: Nothing in this notice points to construction & infrastructure
48
Possible Match
Transportation & LogisticsLimit: Nothing in this notice points to transportation & logistics
48
Possible Match
Finance & BankingLimit: Nothing in this notice points to finance & banking
46
Possible Match
Social Services & NonprofitLimit: Nothing in this notice points to social services & nonprofit
46
Possible Match

These are our matcher’s estimates for a typical business in each industry. A real match depends on your size, your state and what you need the money for — check your own fit.

What this funds

Money can be used for
Research
Who can apply
Small businesses, For-profit companies, Nonprofits, Individuals, State and local governments, Tribal governments and organizations, Colleges and universities, Other applicants (see eligibility)

Questions about this grant

When is the application deadline?
November 12, 2026.
How much funding can an applicant receive?
The notice lists total program funding of $4,400,000 with about 5 awards expected, but it does not state a per-award amount. The program offers two funding levels for ideas at different maturity stages, so per-award amounts are not published here.
Who can apply for this grant?
Eligibility is unrestricted: any type of entity may apply, including small businesses, for-profit companies, nonprofits, individuals, government bodies, tribal entities, and higher education institutions. Research must align with at least one of the FY26 VRP Focus Areas.
Can a sole proprietor or single-member LLC apply?
Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning any type of entity may apply, and individuals are among the applicant types named. The notice does not specifically name sole proprietors or single-member LLCs, so confirm with the program before relying on that structure.
Can a nonprofit apply?
Yes. Nonprofits are among the eligible applicant types, and eligibility is unrestricted.

Summary

DoD Vision Research Program Investigator-Initiated Research Award funds basic through early translational research on eye injury and visual dysfunction related to military exposure, including preclinical and clinical research (no clinical trials). Eligibility is unrestricted; any entity, including small businesses, may apply.

About this grant

Summary: The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Vision Research Program (VRP) Investigator-Initiated Research Award (IIRA) supports basic through early translational research that will yield highly impactful discoveries or major advancements in the research and/or patient care of eye injury and/or visual dysfunction related to military exposure . The IIRA may be used to support preclinical studies and/or clinical research . Research must align with at least one of the FY26 VRP Focus Areas . The IIRA cannot be used to support clinical trials .

Distinctive Features:

· The IIRA offers two Funding Levels to support research at different stages and the exploration/development of ideas of different maturity levels.

· Funding Level 2 includes a Partnering Principal Investigator (PI) Option (PPIO) for two PIs, an Initiating PI and a Partnering PI.

· Scored peer review criteria include Research Idea/Rationale, Research Strategy and Feasibility, Impact, and Personnel.

· Programmatic review criteria include adherence to the intent of the IIRA, contribution to the VRP portfolio, relative impact, and relevance to military health.

· The VRP may share FY26 IIRA applications and reviews with the National Eye Institute (NEI) for independent funding consideration.

https://cdmrp.health.mil/pubs/press/2026/vrppreann

Who can apply

The listing does not include detailed eligibility text. Check the official listing before you apply.

Topics and uses of funds

Topics

  • Defense
  • Health
  • Science

Program contact

Teresa M Parker-Reeser Grants Officerhelp@eBRAP.org3016192171

Related grants

Open opportunities funding similar work, from the same funder or in the same place.

  • OpenFederal grantOpen to businesses

    DoW Melanoma Research Program Melanoma Academy Scholar Award

    DoD Melanoma Research Program Melanoma Academy Scholar Award supports early-career investigators (within 7 years of initial faculty appointment) to join a collaborative virtual academy for melanoma research and career…

    Agency
    Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity - DHACA
    Deadline
    Closes Oct 14, 2026 · 1 day left
  • OpenFederal grantOpen to businesses

    DoW Melanoma Research Program Survivorship Research Award

    DoD Melanoma Research Program funding for innovative survivorship research to improve health and well-being of melanoma survivors, families, and care partners. Open to any entity type; clinical trials allowed; requires…

    Agency
    Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity - DHACA
    Deadline
    Closes Oct 14, 2026 · 1 day left
  • OpenFederal grantOpen to businesses

    DoW Melanoma Research Program Team Science Award

    Funds multidisciplinary melanoma research teams of 2-3 PIs from any organization type, including businesses, nonprofits, universities, and government, to advance melanoma science and patient care through collaborative…

    Agency
    Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity - DHACA
    Deadline
    Closes Oct 14, 2026 · 1 day left
  • OpenFederal grantOpen to businesses

    DoW Melanoma Research Program Focused Program Award – Rare Melanomas

    DoD Melanoma Research Program Focused Program Award funds multidisciplinary teams of 2-3 PIs conducting complementary research projects on rare melanomas; clinical trials allowed. Teams must include a rare melanoma…

    Agency
    Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity - DHACA
    Deadline
    Closes Oct 14, 2026 · 1 day left
  • OpenFederal grantOpen to businesses

    DoW Melanoma Research Program Idea Award

    DoD Melanoma Research Program Idea Award funds innovative, exploratory, high-risk/potentially high-reward melanoma research to establish proof of principle and generate preliminary data for follow-on funding.…

    Agency
    Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity - DHACA
    Deadline
    Closes Oct 14, 2026 · 1 day left
  • OpenFederal grantOpen to businesses

    DoW Traumatic Brain Injury and Psychological Health, Health Services Research Award

    DoD peer-reviewed health services research on traumatic brain injury and psychological health. Funds clinical research/trials, comparative effectiveness, implementation science, and data science validation. Eligibility…

    Agency
    Defense Health Agency Contracting Activity - DHACA
    Deadline
    Closes Oct 15, 2026 · 2 days left
All grantsGrants by stateGrants by industry