Funding

Research Project Grant by India-U.S. Collaborative Vision Research Program

October 21, 2021

Designation/Position- Research Project Grant

India-U.S. Collaborative Vision Research Program invites application for Research Project Grant from eligible and interested candidates

About- The FOA requires that the collaboration between the Indian and U.S. research teams be submitted as a Multi Principle Investigator (Multi-PD/PI) application with both of the lead scientists from each country as the PI. Only those applications that are determined to be meritorious will be considered for joint funding.

Research Project Grant

Summary

India-U.S. Collaborative Vision Research Program invites application for Research Project Grant from eligible and interested candidates.
Focus on the basic biology, epigenetic, and/or genetics of ophthalmic diseases and visual disorders.
Only those applications that are determined to be meritorious will be considered for joint funding.
Applications may include, but are not limited to collaborations addressing the following areas:.
Family based genome wide association studies (GWAS) on available cohorts from India to identify genetic variants that predispose to both Mendelian and complex forms of eye disease.
Studies of the mechanisms through which environmental pollutants/toxins contribute to ocular diseases and their complications including infection and inflammation.
Identification of factors that influence the success of corneal transplantation and recovery after surgery.

Research/Job Area- Focus on the basic biology, epigenetic, and/or genetics of ophthalmic diseases and visual disorders

Location- India-US

Eligibility/Qualification–

India – Entities eligible to participate:

Government of India supported or recognised (Public or Private) academia; research organisations.
Government of India recognised not-for-profit, NGO(s)/ Voluntary Organization(s)(VOs)/ Trust(s)/ Research foundations, having research as one of the imperative mandates.

U.S – Entities eligible to participate:

Any natural or legal person /entity (e.g. any company, big or small, research organisations, universities, non-governmental organisations, etc.) regardless of their place of residence or establishment in U.S.
They must possess the operational and financial viability to carry out the research tasks that they propose.

Job/Position Description-

This FOA is intended to support collaborations between India and the U.S. that focus on the basic biology, epigenetic, and/or genetics of ophthalmic diseases and visual disorders.

Applications may include, but are not limited to collaborations addressing the following areas:

Family based genome wide association studies (GWAS) on available cohorts from India to identify genetic variants that predispose to both Mendelian and complex forms of eye disease;
Validation of novel GWAS findings in appropriate animal models;
Identification of biomarkers that predict and/or assess risk and response to interventions;
Study of environment on factors that predict risk of eye diseases such as imprinting and other epigenetic effects;
Studies to determine the underlying biology of ocular diseases including, AMD, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, retinitis pigmentosa, cataracts, myopia and presbyopia;
Studies focusing on the basic science of neuroplasticity of vision including perceptual learning and adaptation after eye injury;
Studies of the mechanisms through which environmental pollutants/toxins contribute to ocular diseases and their complications including infection and inflammation;
Identification of factors that influence the success of corneal transplantation and recovery after surgery.

Participating Organization(s)	Department of Biotechnology & NEI-NIH
Funding Opportunity Title	India-U.S. Collaborative Vision Research Program (R01 Clinical Trial Not Allowed)
Activity Code	R01 Research Project Grant (for DBT)
Funding Opportunity Purpose	This Funding Opportunity Announcement (FOA) encourages Multiple Principal Investigator (Multi-PD/PI) applications from United States (U.S.) and Indian institution as bilateral collaborations that will advance science and technology important to understanding, preventing, and treating blinding eye diseases, visual disorders, and their complications. Areas of Research Collaboration: Applications are encouraged from organization/institutions that propose to conduct research on the basic biology and/or genetics of ophthalmic diseases through collaborations with Indian investigators on the following: diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration, retinitis pigmentosa, including rare and genetic diseases such as congenital cataracts, as well as other eye conditions such as ocular inflammation/uveitis, refractive error, low vision, and corneal injury. Basic, translational, or epidemiological research maybe proposed. Clinical trials will not be supported under this FOA.

How to Apply-

Applicant organizations must complete and maintain several registrations as described in the NIH SF 424 (R&R) Application Guide to be eligible to apply for or receive an award.

All registrations must be completed prior to the US application being submitted. Registration can take 6 weeks or more, so applicant organizations should begin the registration process as soon as possible.

In addition, all PD(s)/PI(s) must have an NIH eRA Commons account. PD(s)/PI(s) should work with their organizational officials to either create a new account or to affiliate their existing account with the applicant organization in eRA Commons.

The processes and timelines for applicant organization and PD/PI registrations are detailed at: https://grants.nih.gov/grants/how-to-apply-application-guide/prepare-to-apply-and register/register.htm.

NIH weblink for application form

https://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/pa-files/PAR-21-249.html