Notice Number: NOT-EY-20-001

Key Dates
Release Date: October 28, 2019
Response Date: January 09, 2020

Related Announcements
None

Issued by
National Eye Institute (NEI)

Purpose

This Request for Information (RFI) seeks input from the scientific community and the public to help identify the major gaps in knowledge and the research opportunities related to the anterior segment of the eye. Individuals with relevant expertise are invited to submit comments.

Background

The National Eye Institute (NEI) Audacious Goals Initiative (AGI) is tackling difficult-to-treat eye diseases. The major thrust of AGI has been on the posterior segment of the eye. The NEI would like to spur a parallel effort to address challenges in the anterior segment of the eye.

The anterior segment is the front of the eye and includes the cornea, iris, ciliary body, and ocular lens. Disruptions in the health of the anterior segment manifest in a variety of ways including dry eye disease, ocular pain, Sjogren’s syndrome, and uveitis. The NEI has been a long-time supporter of basic and clinical research in these areas and significant progress has been made. Nonetheless, there are a number of knowledge gaps involving the anterior segment that present exciting research opportunities. Likewise, there have been a number of scientific advances in areas such as imaging and systems biology that might lend themselves to promote research in the anterior segment.

Information Requested

This RFI requests input regarding:

1) Specific gaps in knowledge and/or barriers to progress that exist in anterior segment research that should be addressed by this initiative

2) Emerging scientific developments, techniques, collaborations or cross-cutting approaches that create special opportunities for transformative advances in anterior segment research

3) Resources, tools, technologies, or model systems that could be further developed to advance anterior segment research priorities

4) Specific fields of study in anterior segment research that are not being addressed or sufficiently explored (e.g., microbiome, inflammation, pain)

Submitting a Response

All responses can be submitted via email to: neier@nei.nih.gov

Please indicate by number which prompt(s) is (are) being addressed in your response. Your response is not limited to the prompts questions listed above.

The NEI will use the information submitted in response to this RFI at its discretion and will not necessarily provide comments to submissions. Responses to the RFI will be considered in future planning activities and potential funding opportunity announcements. Any information submitted in response to this RFI shall not be construed as a solicitation, grant application, cooperative agreement, or obligation on part of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), or the United States Federal Government. Please do not include any proprietary, classified, or sensitive information.

Inquiries

Please direct all inquiries to:

National Eye Institute (NEI)
Email: neier@nei.nih.gov
Telephone: 301-451-2020