NEI Translational Research Program for Therapeutics (R61/R33 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
Updated
Grant from the National Institutes of Health, open to small businesses. Closes Nov 16, 2029, 1123 days left.
| Opportunity number | PAR-28-072 |
|---|---|
| Agency | National Institutes of Health |
| Funding type | Grant |
| Field | Health |
| Cost sharing or matching | Not required |
| Assistance listing | 93.867 |
| Posted | Sep 25, 2026 |
| Closes | Nov 16, 2029 (1123 days left) |
| Add the deadline to | Google Calendar |
Who can apply
- 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 and Indian housing authorities
- Native American tribal organizations (other than federally recognized tribal governments)
- Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status, other than institutions of higher education
- Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status, other than institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education
- For-profit organizations other than small businesses
- Small businesses
- Others (see the eligibility notes)
Refer to Section III. Eligibility Information in the NOFO for additional information on eligibility.Foreign Organizations/International CollaborationsNon-domestic (non-U.S.) Entities (Foreign Organizations) are not eligible to apply.Non-domestic (non-U.S.) components of U.S. Organizations are not eligible to apply.Foreign components, as defined in the NIH Grants Policy Statement, are allowed.NIH will no longer issue awards (i.e., new, renewal, or non-competing continuation) to domestic or foreign entities that involve foreign subawards/subcontracts. All NIH-funded research involving foreign subawards/subcontracts must be submitted in response to a NOFO that is specifically designated for funded international collaborations. See NIH Grants Policy Statement 16.8 Collaborative International Research Awards.Applications involving foreign subawards/subcontracts submitted in response to this NOFO will be deemed noncompliant and will not be considered for funding. This policy applies to all monetary international collaborations resulting in foreign subawards/subcontracts, however, it does not preclude unfunded international collaborations or foreign components, funding for foreign consultants, or procurement of unique equipment or supplies from foreign vendors.
Description
The purpose of NEI's Translational Research program (TRP) is the rapid and efficient translation of innovative laboratory research findings into therapeutics for use by clinicians to treat visual system diseases or disorders. The TRP will support the product development of biological, pharmaceutical, medical device, and/or combination therapies for any disease or disorder of the visual system.The TRP will utilize a bi-phasic, milestone-driven mechanism of award.
The R61 phase can be up to two years and will support research that has demonstrated significant preliminary data but has not advanced to the level of clinical translation. The R33 phase can be up to four years and will support research that is in the final states of preclinical development with potential for near-term clinical development. The total duration of both R61 and R33 cannot exceed five years.
The R33 is to focus on advancing a single therapeutic candidate through Investigational New Drug or Investigational Device Exemption (IND/IDE) enabling studies, filing an IND/IDE package with the FDA, and designing future clinical trials. R33 recipients must submit or obtain an IND/IDE application to FDA, or must transition the product to clinical practice, within the period of performance.
The specific activities appropriate for the R33 phase will depend on the product under study and available preliminary data on the product. Delineation of milestones by the applicant for the R61 and R33 phases is a key characteristic of this program. A milestone is defined as a scheduled event in the project timeline that signifies the completion of a major project stage or activity.
This program will support applications that propose a series of milestones including manufacturing and product development goals. Applications that address contingency plans to proactively confront potential delays in meeting the milestones are strongly encouraged. Milestones are required for both phases.
Milestones must be specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound (SMART). All projects will begin with a R61 phase regardless of therapeutic starting point.
Full announcement and how to apply on Grants.gov
Health grants right now
There are 350 open federal grants in health that small businesses may apply for; 33 close within 30 days. The median award ceiling is $500,000. The agencies offering the most are National Institutes of Health, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - ERA and Centers for Disease Control - NCBDDD. Grants in this field stay open a median of 1031 days; this one is open for 1148 days.
Who has won this program before
- Jaeb Center For Health Research Foundation, Inc. $80.4 million · from Sep 30, 2002
- Jaeb Center For Health Research Foundation, Inc. $61.6 million · from May 1, 1997
- Georgetown University $53.2 million · from Sep 18, 2014
- The Johns Hopkins University $51.8 million · from Sep 30, 2022
- Jackson Laboratory $47.2 million · from Sep 16, 2011
The largest grants and cooperative agreements under assistance listing 93.867 with payments since Oct 1, 2025, from USAspending.gov. Amounts are each award's total.
Other open grants in the same program
Under assistance listing 93.867, the federal program this grant is paid from.
More open grants from the National Institutes of Health
340 open grants from this agency accept small businesses, with $356.4 million in total program funding listed.