NEI Institutional Mentored Physician Scientist Award (K12 Clinical Trial Optional)

The National Eye Institute (NEI) is inviting institutions to apply for the Institutional Mentored Physician Scientist Award, with an emphasis on proposing original and innovative institutional research career development programs. The aim of this initiative is to foster the growth of clinically-trained vision scientists and to cultivate their transition to independent research careers.

This program seeks to broaden and enrich the community of clinician investigators devoted to vision research. It offers Scholars an opportunity to propose serving as the primary investigator of an independent clinical trial, propose a separate ancillary clinical trial, or gain research experience through the involvement in a clinical trial led by another investigator. All these options are geared towards advancing a Scholar's research capabilities and career development.

However, Scholars are only permitted to work on clinical trials that pose minimal risks. This means that the likely harm or discomfort expected from the research will not exceed what is usually experienced in daily life or during standard physical or psychological evaluations or testing. The clinical trial must meet the National Institute of Health (NIH) criteria for a 'minimal risk trial’.

Potential applicants are strongly advised to consult with NEI program staff before submitting applications involving human subjects to align with the correct funding opportunity. Furthermore, applicants are highly encouraged to include prospective Principal Investigators (PIs), Program Directors (PDs), mentors, and scholars from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups, as well as individuals with disabilities in their programs, according to the guidelines set out in NOT-OD-22-019.