Vision Research Program Translational Research Award

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The VRP Translational Research Award (TRA) mechanism is being offered for the first time in FY13. This award supports translational research that will accelerate the movement of promising ideas in vision research into clinical applications. 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. While the ultimate goal of translational research is to move an observation forward into clinical application, Principal Investigators (PIs) should not view translational research as a one-way continuum from bench to bedside. The research plan must involve a reciprocal flow of ideas and information between basic and clinical science. The FY13 VRP TRA is intended to promote significant improvements over current approaches and supports research projects that are likely to have a major impact by applying research findings to patient care. This award mechanism encourages a team approach involving collaboration among clinicians, scientists, and/or engineers. To meet the intent of the FY13 VRP TRA mechanism, all applications must specifically address one or more of the FY13 VRP TRA Focus Areas listed below. Applications must include preliminary or published data relevant to one or more of the VRP TRA Focus Areas and to the proposed research. Applications proposing research outside of the Focus Areas listed below should not be submitted in response to this Program Announcement/Funding Opportunity. • Mitigation and treatment of traumatic injuries, war-related injuries, and diseases to ocular structures and the visual system • Mitigation and treatment of visual dysfunction associated with traumatic brain injury (TBI) • Vision restoration following traumatic injury• Vision rehabilitation strategies and quality of life measures

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