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NEI Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR)

NEI SBIR Phase I — Feasibility

Supports United States. small businesses testing vision concepts through feasibility-focused grants.

OpenNIH National Eye InstituteUnited States
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About

The NEI SBIR Phase I program provides proof-of-concept funding to US small businesses developing innovative vision-related technologies with commercial potential. The National Eye Institute funds research across ten extramural program areas: retina (including age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and retinitis pigmentosa), cornea, lens and cataract, glaucoma and optic neuropathie…

What this grant funds

Vision-related R&D: retina, glaucoma, cornea, lens, low vision, amblyopia/strabismus, and related ocular/visual technologies with commercial potential.

Key facts
CycleiHow often this grant runs — e.g. annually, on a rolling basis, or a one-off call.Multiple per year
Next deadlineiThe next date applications are due. Rolling means you can apply any time.—
Decision timeiTypical time from the deadline to the funder's decision.—
Project durationiHow long the funded work is expected to run.6–24 months
Award typeiThe form of funding — grant, equity, loan, tax credit, etc.Grant
Match fundingiThe share of project costs you must cover yourself. 0% = fully funded.0%
Funding pooliThe total budget available across all awards in this round.—
Funding analytics

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Eligibility criteria

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Timeline

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Last verified: 24 Jul 2026Source: www.nei.nih.gov