DoW Vision, Mentored Clinical Research Award

<p><strong>Summary:</strong> The fiscal year 2026 (FY26) Vision Research Program (VRP) Mentored Clinical Research Award (MCRA) supports patient-oriented vision injury research conducted by highly motivated military or civilian clinicians in training. The MCRA may be used to support a standalone study of high impact to vision injury care or the generation of clinical research data in preparation for a more expansive study. Research must align with at least one of the <a href="https://militaryhealth-my.sharepoint-mil.us/personal/teresa_m_parkerreeser_civ_health_mil/Documents/Documents/FY%202026/VRP/HT942526VRPMCRA_GG.docx#FocusAreas" target="_blank">FY26 VRP Focus Areas</a>. The MCRA may<strong> not</strong> be used to support preclinical research or <a href="https://ebrap.org/eBRAP/public/gai.htm?version=CD26_01#_Definition_List:~:text=or%20hardware%20procurement.-,Clinical%20Trial%3A,-As%20defined%20in" target="_blank">clinical trials</a>.</p> <p><strong>Distinctive Features: </strong></p> <p>·        Key personnel must include an established clinician or Ph.D. clinical scientist, who will serve as Principal Investigator (PI) and a clinician in training (e.g., a fellow, resident, junior clinician, clinician in a Ph.D. program), who will conduct the proposed research under mentorship of the PI, with support from supporting personnel as appropriate.</p> <p>·        The clinician in training should have sufficient time remaining in their training program to complete the research proposed under the MCRA. </p> <p>·        Scored<strong> </strong><a href="https://militaryhealth-my.sharepoint-mil.us/personal/teresa_m_parkerreeser_civ_health_mil/Documents/Documents/FY%202026/VRP/HT942526VRPMCRA_GG.docx#PeerReviewCriteria622" target="_blank"><strong>peer review criteria</strong></a> include Research Idea/Rationale, Research Strategy and Feasibility, Impact and Personnel.</p> <p>·        <a href="https://militaryhealth-my.sharepoint-mil.us/personal/teresa_m_parkerreeser_civ_health_mil/Documents/Documents/FY%202026/VRP/HT942526VRPMCRA_GG.docx#Programmatic_Review" target="_blank"><strong>Programmatic review criteria</strong></a> include adherence to the intent of the MCRA, contribution to program portfolio, relative impact and relevance to military health.</p> <p>·        Applicants must submit <strong>documentation of Institutional Review Board (IRB)/Ethics Committee (EC) approval or exemption</strong> by <strong>January 1, 2027</strong>, in order for the MCRA application to be considered for funding. </p> <p><br></p> <p><a href="https://cdmrp.health.mil/pubs/press/2026/vrppreann" target="_blank">https://cdmrp.health.mil/pubs/press/2026/vrppreann</a></p>