NEI Postbaccalaureate Opportunities in Vision Science (POVS) Research Education Program (R25 Clinical Trial Not Allowed) | PAR 24 290

Opportunity Information: Apply for PAR 24 290

The NEI Postbaccalaureate Opportunities in Vision Science (POVS) Research Education Program is a National Institutes of Health (NIH) Research Education (R25) grant opportunity from the National Eye Institute (NEI) designed to strengthen the training pipeline in vision research. The central aim is workforce development: supporting structured educational programs that broaden participation and better prepare a diverse group of recent college graduates to enter and succeed in biomedical doctoral (PhD or equivalent) training. The emphasis is on building research readiness through practical immersion rather than classroom-only instruction, and on aligning the training environment with NEIs mission areas in basic, translational, and clinical vision science as reflected in the NEI Strategic Plan.

This funding opportunity specifically prioritizes programs built around intensive, hands-on research experiences. Applicants are expected to propose a cohesive research education program that places participants into mentored research settings where they can gain meaningful laboratory or clinically relevant research exposure, learn how vision science research is conducted, and develop the skills needed to be competitive for doctoral programs. A key feature of the NOFO is its focus on recruiting participants from diverse backgrounds and on reaching individuals who have not previously had access to vision research opportunities. The program is intended to function as a bridge between undergraduate education and doctoral training, giving recent graduates the time, mentoring, and real research responsibility needed to confirm their interest in research careers and build a stronger application profile for graduate school.

NEI also requires that programs supported under this announcement recruit a nationally sourced cohort, meaning the participant pool should not be limited to a single institution or purely local recruiting. The expectation is that the proposed program has a recruitment plan and program structure capable of attracting and supporting trainees from across the country, which helps broaden access and increases the overall impact of the investment. While the program is education-focused, it must clearly advance NEIs scientific mission by placing trainees into environments where the research questions, methods, and mentorship are relevant to vision and diseases of the visual system.

Clinical trial involvement is limited in a specific way. The NOFO is labeled "Clinical Trial Not Allowed," which means appointed participants cannot be responsible for leading an independent clinical trial. However, the announcement explicitly allows participants to gain research experience on a clinical trial that is led by an established mentor or co-mentor. In practical terms, trainees can be embedded in clinical research environments, learn trial-related methods and procedures, and contribute under supervision, but they cannot be the trial PI or independently direct the trial.

Eligibility to apply is broad across U.S.-based organizations and can include many types of public and private entities. Eligible applicants include state, county, and local governments; special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; nonprofits (with or without 501(c)(3) status); for-profit organizations (other than small businesses) and small businesses; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; and federally recognized Native American tribal governments, as well as certain tribal organizations other than federally recognized governments. The NOFO also calls out additional eligible applicant categories that commonly serve underrepresented populations or operate in community settings, including Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), as well as faith-based or community-based organizations and U.S. territories or possessions. Despite the mention of non-domestic entities in the descriptive list, the eligibility rules are explicit that foreign organizations are not eligible to apply, non-U.S. components of U.S. organizations are not eligible, and foreign components as defined by NIH policy are not allowed.

Administratively, this is a discretionary grant program (funding instrument type: Grant) in the health category, associated with CFDA 93.867. The opportunity number is PAR-24-290, and the original closing date listed is January 25, 2027. The listed award ceiling is $400,000, indicating a maximum funding level for an award under this announcement, though actual budgets would depend on the proposed scope and NIH/NEI decisions. Overall, the opportunity is best understood as support for well-organized postbaccalaureate research education programs in vision science that combine strong mentorship, meaningful research immersion, and intentional national recruitment to help talented graduates from diverse backgrounds transition into doctoral-level biomedical research careers.

• The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "NEI Postbaccalaureate Opportunities in Vision Science (POVS) Research Education Program (R25 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 2024-11-21.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2027-01-25.
• Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $400,000.00 in funding.
• 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 24 290

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