Summary: 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 FY26 VRP Focus Areas. The MCRA may not be used to support preclinical research or clinical trials.

Distinctive Features:

·        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.

·        The clinician in training should have sufficient time remaining in their training program to complete the research proposed under the MCRA. 

·        Scored peer review criteria include Research Idea/Rationale, Research Strategy and Feasibility, Impact and Personnel.

·        Programmatic review criteria include adherence to the intent of the MCRA, contribution to program portfolio, relative impact and relevance to military health.

·        Applicants must submit documentation of Institutional Review Board (IRB)/Ethics Committee (EC) approval or exemption by January 1, 2027, in order for the MCRA application to be considered for funding. 

https://cdmrp.health.mil/pubs/press/2026/vrppreann