Opportunity Information: Apply for RFA EY 25 002
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is soliciting R01 applications under Funding Opportunity Number RFA-EY-25-002, titled "Advancing Vision Health Equity through Multi-level Interventions and Community-Engaged Research (R01 - Clinical Trial Optional)." The central goal is to fund research that does more than describe disparities in eye and vision health; it should actively implement and rigorously evaluate interventions designed to prevent, reduce, or eliminate those disparities. The emphasis is on vision health equity, meaning projects should be built around improving outcomes for groups that experience unequal burdens of eye disease, barriers to care, or worse vision-related quality of life.
A defining requirement of this opportunity is the use of multi-level interventions. In practice, that means applicants must propose approaches that work simultaneously across more than one level of influence, such as the individual level (knowledge, behavior, screening uptake, treatment adherence), interpersonal level (family support, peer networks, patient navigation), organizational level (clinic workflows, referral systems, school-based programs, employer or health system policies), and community level (access points for care, transportation supports, culturally grounded outreach, partnerships that shift local resource availability). Importantly, these interventions cannot focus only on clinical or biomedical factors; they must also address social determinants of health (SDOH) that contribute to vision inequities, such as access to affordable care, health literacy, language access, transportation, insurance coverage, structural barriers in service delivery, or community-level resource constraints.
Projects must explicitly focus on improving vision health in one or more NIH-designated Populations with Health Disparities. While the NOFO text in your excerpt does not list the populations, NIH generally expects applicants to clearly justify the disparity population(s) selected and demonstrate that the proposed work is responsive to documented inequities in eye and vision outcomes or care access for those groups. A strong application would typically connect the target condition(s) and setting(s) to measurable disparity gaps and explain why the chosen intervention levels are appropriate for closing those gaps.
Meaningful community engagement is another non-negotiable feature. The NOFO is seeking community-engaged research, which usually implies that community partners are involved throughout the research process, not just as a recruitment channel. This can include shared priority-setting, co-designing intervention components, advising on culturally and linguistically appropriate strategies, shaping outcomes that matter to the community, supporting implementation, and participating in dissemination of results. Reviewers will generally look for evidence that partnerships are authentic and structured (for example, advisory boards, formal agreements, shared governance processes, and compensation or support for community partners) and that engagement is integrated into study decision-making.
The award mechanism is an R01 research project grant, with clinical trials listed as optional, meaning applicants may propose a clinical trial if it fits the scientific aims, but they are not required to do so. The opportunity is categorized as discretionary and falls under health-related funding activity, with CFDA numbers 93.307 and 93.867. The stated award ceiling is $1,000,000, and the original application closing date is March 3, 2025 (with the opportunity created December 30, 2024). The excerpt does not specify the number of expected awards.
Eligibility is broad and includes many common applicant types across government, academia, and the nonprofit and private sectors. Eligible applicants include state, county, city or township, and special district governments; independent school districts; public and state-controlled institutions of higher education; private institutions of higher education; federally recognized Native American tribal governments; tribal organizations other than federally recognized governments; public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities; nonprofits with or without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education); for-profit organizations other than small businesses; small businesses; and other entities. The NOFO also highlights additional eligible organizational categories such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs), as well as faith-based or community-based organizations and regional organizations. A key limitation is that non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations) are not eligible to apply, even though they are mentioned in the text; the NOFO ultimately states they are not eligible.
Overall, this funding opportunity is geared toward applied, implementation-oriented research that combines intervention testing with real-world partnership and accountability to communities experiencing vision health disparities. Competitive proposals will typically be expected to show a clear disparity-focused rationale, a coherent multi-level intervention strategy that addresses both vision conditions and SDOH, a strong evaluation plan to determine effectiveness and impact on equity, and a community engagement approach that is demonstrably embedded in how the research is planned, conducted, and shared.Apply for RFA EY 25 002
- The National Institutes of Health in the health sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Advancing Vision Health Equity through Multi-level Interventions and Community-Engaged Research (R01 - Clinical Trial Optional)" and is now available to receive applicants.
- Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 93.307, 93.867.
- This funding opportunity was created on 2024-12-30.
- Applicants must submit their applications by 2025-03-03. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
- Each selected applicant is eligible to receive up to $1,000,000.00 in funding.
- Eligible applicants include: 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/Indian housing authorities, Native American tribal organizations (other than Federally recognized tribal governments), Nonprofits having a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Nonprofits that do not have a 501 (c) (3) status with the IRS, other than institutions of higher education, Private institutions of higher education, For-profit organizations other than small businesses, Small businesses, Others.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the funding opportunity number and title?
This opportunity is Funding Opportunity Number (FOA/NOFO) RFA-EY-25-002, titled "Advancing Vision Health Equity through Multi-level Interventions and Community-Engaged Research (R01 - Clinical Trial Optional)."
Which agency is offering this grant?
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) is soliciting applications for this funding opportunity.
What is the overall goal of this program?
The goal is to fund research that goes beyond describing disparities in eye and vision health by actively implementing and rigorously evaluating interventions designed to prevent, reduce, or eliminate those disparities. The focus is on advancing vision health equity and improving outcomes for groups experiencing unequal burdens of eye disease, barriers to care, or worse vision-related quality of life.
What does "vision health equity" mean in the context of this NOFO?
In this context, vision health equity refers to improving eye and vision health outcomes for groups that experience disproportionate disease burden, reduced access to eye care services, or poorer vision-related quality of life. Projects are expected to be built around closing those inequity gaps.
What type of grant mechanism is used for this opportunity?
The award mechanism is an R01 research project grant.
Are clinical trials required?
No. Clinical trials are optional under this opportunity. Applicants may propose a clinical trial if it fits the scientific aims, but a clinical trial is not required.
What does "multi-level interventions" mean, and is it required?
Multi-level interventions are a defining requirement of this opportunity. Applicants must propose approaches that operate across more than one level of influence at the same time. Examples of levels described in the opportunity include:
- Individual: knowledge, behavior, screening uptake, treatment adherence
- Interpersonal: family support, peer networks, patient navigation
- Organizational: clinic workflows, referral systems, school-based programs, employer or health system policies
- Community: access points for care, transportation supports, culturally grounded outreach, partnerships that shift local resource availability
Can an application focus only on clinical or biomedical factors?
No. The intervention(s) cannot focus only on clinical or biomedical factors. Projects must also address social determinants of health (SDOH) contributing to vision inequities (for example: access to affordable care, health literacy, language access, transportation, insurance coverage, structural barriers in service delivery, or community-level resource constraints).
What role do social determinants of health (SDOH) play in this NOFO?
SDOH must be addressed as part of the proposed multi-level intervention strategy. The opportunity emphasizes that vision inequities are shaped by structural and access-related factors, so projects should incorporate SDOH into both intervention design and implementation.
Who must the research focus on (target populations)?
Projects must explicitly focus on improving vision health in one or more NIH-designated Populations with Health Disparities. While the provided excerpt does not list specific populations, it indicates NIH expects applicants to clearly justify the disparity population(s) selected and demonstrate responsiveness to documented inequities in eye and vision outcomes or access to care.
Do applicants need to justify the selected disparity population(s)?
Yes. The opportunity indicates applicants should clearly justify the population(s) selected and connect the proposed work to documented inequities in eye/vision outcomes, care access, or vision-related quality of life for those groups.
What kinds of research projects are most aligned with this opportunity?
This opportunity is geared toward applied, implementation-oriented research that combines intervention testing with real-world partnership and accountability to communities experiencing vision health disparities. Competitive projects are expected to include a clear disparity-focused rationale, a coherent multi-level intervention strategy that addresses both vision conditions and SDOH, and a strong plan to evaluate effectiveness and equity impact.
Is community engagement required?
Yes. Meaningful community engagement is described as a non-negotiable feature. The NOFO is seeking community-engaged research, implying community partners are involved throughout the research process rather than serving only as a recruitment channel.
What does "community-engaged research" look like for this opportunity?
Based on the opportunity description, community-engaged research can include shared priority-setting, co-designing intervention components, advising on culturally and linguistically appropriate strategies, shaping outcomes that matter to the community, supporting implementation, and participating in dissemination of results.
How can applicants demonstrate that community partnerships are authentic?
The opportunity notes that reviewers generally look for evidence that partnerships are authentic and structured. Examples described include advisory boards, formal agreements, shared governance processes, compensation or support for community partners, and clear integration of engagement into study decision-making.
What is the application deadline mentioned in the excerpt?
The original application closing date listed is March 3, 2025.
When was this funding opportunity created?
The opportunity was created on December 30, 2024.
What is the maximum award amount (ceiling)?
The stated award ceiling is $1,000,000.
Is the number of expected awards stated?
No. The provided excerpt does not specify the number of expected awards.
What is the funding activity type and is it discretionary?
The opportunity is categorized as discretionary and falls under health-related funding activity.
What CFDA numbers are associated with this opportunity?
The excerpt lists CFDA numbers 93.307 and 93.867.
Which types of organizations are eligible to apply?
Eligibility is broad and includes many applicant types across government, academia, nonprofit, and private sectors. Eligible applicants listed in the excerpt include:
- State governments
- County governments
- City or township governments
- Special district governments
- Independent school districts
- Public and state-controlled institutions of higher education
- Private institutions of higher education
- Federally recognized Native American tribal governments
- Tribal organizations other than federally recognized governments
- Public housing authorities/Indian housing authorities
- Nonprofits with 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education)
- Nonprofits without 501(c)(3) status (other than institutions of higher education)
- For-profit organizations other than small businesses
- Small businesses
- Other entities
Are certain institution types specifically highlighted as eligible?
Yes. The excerpt highlights additional eligible organizational categories such as Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving Institutions, Tribally Controlled Colleges and Universities (TCCUs), Alaska Native and Native Hawaiian Serving Institutions, and Asian American Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs). It also notes faith-based or community-based organizations and regional organizations.
Are foreign (non-U.S.) organizations eligible to apply?
No. A key limitation in the excerpt is that non-domestic (non-U.S.) entities (foreign organizations) are not eligible to apply, even though they are mentioned elsewhere in the text.
What are reviewers likely to look for in a competitive application?
Based on the excerpt, competitive proposals will typically be expected to show:
- A clear disparity-focused rationale tied to documented inequities
- A coherent multi-level intervention strategy (across more than one level of influence)
- Intervention elements that address both vision-related issues and social determinants of health
- A strong evaluation plan to determine effectiveness and impact on equity
- A community engagement approach embedded in planning, conduct, and dissemination
Does this opportunity support projects that only describe disparities?
No. The central goal is to fund research that moves beyond describing disparities by implementing and rigorously evaluating interventions intended to reduce or eliminate vision health disparities.
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