CDMRP Vision Research Program Session Highlights Military Vision Research Funding at ARVO 2026

During the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology Annual Meeting, researchers and advocates gathered for an important session highlighting the Department of Defense’s Congressionally Directed Medical Research Programs (CDMRP) Vision Research Program (VRP) and the future of military-relevant vision science. The presentation, led by Tian Wang, PhD, Program Manager for the VRP, focused on FY26 funding opportunities, current program priorities, and the growing need to sustain investment in combat ocular trauma and vision injury research.

The CDMRP Vision Research Program is a highly competitive, peer-reviewed federal funding program supporting innovative, high-impact research focused on vision-threatening injuries affecting Service Members and Veterans. Reestablished by Congress for FY26 following significant funding reductions from $20 million to $10 million, the VRP continues to play a critical role in advancing translational research, cross-disciplinary collaboration, and patient-centered outcomes tied to military readiness and public health.

The session also highlighted the increasing impact of combat ocular trauma (COT), which accounted for approximately 5–9% of casualties during the Vietnam War and roughly 13% during conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Researchers discussed the urgent need for improved research models capable of better replicating the complexity of military trauma, including blast exposure, burns, polytrauma, and delayed treatment environments.

In addition, speakers previewed a forthcoming collaborative white paper focused on advancing clinically relevant models for vision-threatening military injuries — an important step toward accelerating translational research and improving outcomes for Service Members and Veterans.

FY26 VRP Funding Opportunities

The FY26 Vision Research Program funding mechanisms are now officially open and include opportunities supporting early-stage, translational, clinical, and mentored vision research. Current award mechanisms include:

• Clinical Trial Award
• Investigator-Initiated Research Award
• Mentored Clinical Research Award
• Translational Research Award

These opportunities support research focused on understanding, preventing, diagnosing, and treating military-related vision injuries and dysfunction, while accelerating discoveries from bench to bedside.

Researchers can review application instructions, deadlines, program announcements, and supporting resources by following a link to their website.