The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is offering the NEI New Innovator Award, a federal grant aimed at supporting early-stage investigators and postdoctoral candidates in vision research. This opportunity encourages innovative and original research proposals that have the potential to significantly impact the field of vision science, particularly those that explore novel methodologies or interdisciplinary approaches. The program anticipates awarding four grants, with no cost-sharing requirements, and applications are due by May 25, 2026, with an estimated award date of August 2, 2026. For further inquiries, interested applicants can contact Ed Clayton, Ph.D., at 240-987-8255 or via email at Ed.clayton@nih.gov.

The NEI New Innovator Award supports postdoctoral and other candidates in non-independent equivalent positions or newly independent Early Stage Investigators of exceptional creativity who propose novel, original and insightful research studies within the mission of NEI. Applications responding to this NOFO should have the potential to produce a major impact in vision research, test scientific paradigms, or advance key concepts on broad, important problems in biomedical research of priority to NEI. Applications proposing unexpected convergence of disciplines, new scientific directions, or the use of novel methodologies are encouraged. 

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