Opportunity Information: Apply for W81XWH 20 VRP IIRA
The Vision Research Program (VRP) Investigator-Initiated Research Award (IIRA) is a FY20 funding opportunity from the Department of Defense (DoD), Department of the Army, administered through USAMRAA, focused on advancing research and patient care related to eye injuries and visual dysfunction that occur in the context of military-relevant trauma. The central aim is to support studies that can produce highly impactful discoveries or major advancements, meaning the program is looking for work that could meaningfully change scientific understanding, clinical practice, or outcomes for individuals affected by trauma-related vision problems, rather than incremental improvements.
A notable priority of this opportunity is collaboration, especially multidisciplinary and cross-sector partnerships. The announcement explicitly encourages teams that bring together expertise and resources from academia, industry, the military Services, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and other federal agencies. In practice, that emphasis signals a preference for projects that can connect basic science, translational development, and clinical or operational relevance, and that can realistically move findings toward real-world application for Service members and Veterans dealing with trauma-associated vision issues.
To accommodate projects at different phases of development, the program offers two distinct funding levels under the same announcement. Applicants must choose the most appropriate level at the pre-application stage, and the guidance is clear that the selection should be driven by the maturity and stage of the proposed research, not simply by how large a budget is requested. This structure is meant to support both earlier-stage concepts that need validation and more mature efforts positioned to deliver larger, more immediate advances, while ensuring proposals are matched to the right review and funding expectations.
Administratively, this is a discretionary funding opportunity that can be awarded as either a grant or a cooperative agreement, under the Science and Technology and other Research and Development category (CFDA 12.420). Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning any entity type may apply, subject to any additional eligibility notes in the full announcement. The opportunity was created on May 20, 2020, with an original closing date of November 18, 2020. The notice anticipated approximately 11 awards, and the listed award ceiling is shown as 0 in the source data (typically indicating that the ceiling was not specified in that summary field or is defined elsewhere in the full program announcement rather than in the high-level listing).Apply for W81XWH 20 VRP IIRA
- The Department of Defense, Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA in the science and technology and other research and development sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Vision Research Program, Investigator-Initiated Research Award" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 12.420.
- This funding opportunity was created on May 20, 2020.
- Applicants must submit their applications by Nov 18, 2020. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 11 candidate(s).
- Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted (i.e., open to any type of entity above), subject to any clarification in text field entitled Additional Information on Eligibility.
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Vision Research Program (VRP) Investigator-Initiated Research Award (IIRA) FAQs
What is the Vision Research Program (VRP) Investigator-Initiated Research Award (IIRA)?
The VRP Investigator-Initiated Research Award (IIRA) is a FY20 Department of Defense (DoD) funding opportunity administered through USAMRAA that supports investigator-driven research focused on eye injuries and visual dysfunction tied to military-relevant trauma.
Which agencies are involved in this opportunity?
The opportunity is from the Department of Defense (DoD), Department of the Army, and it is administered through USAMRAA.
What is the main goal of this award?
The central aim is to advance research and patient care related to trauma-associated eye injuries and visual dysfunction, with an emphasis on studies that can lead to highly impactful discoveries or major advancements rather than incremental improvements.
What kinds of outcomes is the program looking for?
The program is looking for research that could meaningfully change scientific understanding, clinical practice, or outcomes for individuals affected by trauma-related vision problems.
What topic area does the award focus on?
The award focuses on eye injuries and visual dysfunction that occur in the context of military-relevant trauma, and on translating research advances into improved patient care for impacted populations, including Service members and Veterans.
Does the opportunity emphasize collaboration?
Yes. Collaboration is a notable priority, with explicit encouragement for multidisciplinary and cross-sector partnerships.
What types of collaborators are encouraged?
The announcement encourages teams that bring together expertise and resources from academia, industry, the military Services, the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and other federal agencies.
Why is multidisciplinary or cross-sector teaming highlighted?
The emphasis signals a preference for projects that can connect basic science, translational development, and clinical or operational relevance, and that can realistically move findings toward real-world application for trauma-associated vision issues.
Are there different funding levels available under this announcement?
Yes. The program offers two distinct funding levels under the same announcement to accommodate projects at different phases of development.
When do applicants choose a funding level?
Applicants must choose the most appropriate funding level at the pre-application stage.
How should an applicant decide which funding level to select?
The selection should be driven by the maturity and stage of the proposed research, not simply by how large a budget is requested.
What is the purpose of having two funding levels?
This structure is intended to support both earlier-stage concepts that need validation and more mature efforts positioned to deliver larger, more immediate advances, while aligning proposals with the appropriate review and funding expectations.
What type of funding mechanism is used (grant vs. cooperative agreement)?
This is a discretionary funding opportunity that can be awarded as either a grant or a cooperative agreement.
What is the CFDA number and program category?
The listing identifies the opportunity under CFDA 12.420 in the Science and Technology and other Research and Development category.
Who is eligible to apply?
Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, meaning any entity type may apply, subject to any additional eligibility notes in the full announcement.
How many awards were anticipated?
The notice anticipated approximately 11 awards.
When was the opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on May 20, 2020.
What was the original closing date?
The original closing date was November 18, 2020.
Is there an award ceiling listed?
The high-level source data shows the award ceiling as 0, which typically indicates the ceiling was not specified in that summary field or is defined elsewhere in the full program announcement rather than in the listing.
Where should applicants look for details not included in the summary information?
Details such as any additional eligibility notes and the definitive budget ceiling (if applicable) would be expected in the full program announcement rather than the high-level listing.
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| DoD Lupus, Impact Award Apply for W81XWH 20 LRP IPA Funding Number: W81XWH 20 LRP IPA Agency: Department of Defense, Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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| DoD Kidney Cancer, Clinical Consortium – Clinical Trial Site Award Apply for W81XWH 20 KCRP CTSA Funding Number: W81XWH 20 KCRP CTSA Agency: Department of Defense, Dept. of the Army -- USAMRAA Category: Science and Technology and other Research and Development Funding Amount: Case Dependent |
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