FY11 Vision Research Program Investigator-Initiated Research Award

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The Vision Research Program (VRP) was established in fiscal year 2009 (FY09) to provide support for scientifically meritorious research. Investigators continue to assess new technologies and therapies to address the ocular issues of service members. In order to implement therapeutic strategies to prevent or treat visual problems common to combat service members, the military wants to discover, develop and validate compounds and strategies. Congress has appropriated additional funds for fiscal year 2011 (FY11). The US Army Medical Research and Materiel Command (USAMRMC) is soliciting research that targets the causes, effects and treatment of eye damage, visual deficits due to traumatic brain injury (TBI) and diseases that, despite their different mechanisms and pathogenesis, all have a common end result: degeneration of the critical components of the eye and impairment or loss of vision. The results of this research are intended to be used for restoration and maintaining of visual function to ensure and sustain combat readiness. Basic, translational and clinical research efforts are sought to ensure that results of scientific research will be used to directly benefit the lives of military, veteran and civilian populations. Preliminary research proposals (pre-proposals) are required and will provide the basis for invited full proposals. Full proposals will be reviewed by an independent scientific peer review panel and qualified projects will be selected for funding by a programmatic panel. The Investigator-Initiated Research Award supports studies that will make an important contribution toward understanding mechanisms of initiation, or progression of and/or improving patient care for a condition related to at least one of the FY11 topic areas (research gaps). Research projects may focus on any phase of research from basic laboratory research through translational research, including preclinical studies in animal models and human subjects, as well as correlative studies associated with an existing clinical trial. Observations that drive a research idea may be derived from a laboratory discovery, population-based studies, or a clinician�s first-hand knowledge of patients and anecdotal data. Applications must include relevant data that support the rationale for the proposed study. These data may be unpublished and/or from the published literature.

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