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Research and Training

The National Eye Institute is the lead federal agency for vision research. As part of the National Institutes of Health, NEI safeguards our sight by advancing the prevention and treatment of eye diseases and vision problems. 

Research we Conduct

NEI’s intramural research program conducts vision research science and ophthalmology at the main NIH campus in Bethesda, Maryland. In addition to being our in-house home for groundbreaking research, our program is an incubator for the next generation of vision researchers.

  • Research Labs and Branches

    NEI scientists are part of the National Institutes of Health Intramural Research Program (IRP), the largest biomedical research institution in the world. From eye disease to gene therapy, our staff scientists, fellows, and students are discovering the future of vision research.

    See our research labs and branches

  • Training Opportunities

    Interested in vision research? NEI has a broad range of opportunities for students and professionals, including internships and fellowships, and training programs at our labs in Bethesda, Maryland. We also support opportunities at institutions throughout the country.

    Find training opportunities

Research we Support

NEI funds extramural research that aligns with our mission to eliminate vision loss and approve quality of life through vision research. Find funding opportunities and learn how to apply below.

  • Funding Opportunities

    Explore NIH’s Grants & Funding search page (from the Office of Extramural Research) to find up-to-date information about NIH funding, including all NEI-related programs and opportunities.

    Learn how to fund your research

  • How to Apply

    Get an overview of the application process, read tips on how to develop your proposal, and see current funding opportunities and research priorities. 

    Learn how to apply

Vision Research News

  1. NEI-supported project expands access to care for children with amblyopia

    A group of pediatric eye disease researchers supported by the National Eye Institute (NEI) has launched an open-access tool designed to help manage pediatric cases of amblyopia.

  2. NIH research points to new therapeutic opportunities for retinal diseases

    NEI scientists have found that the way the retina metabolizes glucose directly controls which genes get switched on and off in light-sensing photoreceptors.

  3. NEI-funded scientists develop "living eye drop" for corneal healing

    National Eye Institute-funded research at the University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine showed that an early-stage, experimental “living eye drop” that uses naturally occurring eye bacteria supports corneal wound healing.

Read all vision research news

Upcoming Events

  1. What do Reactive Astrocytes (really) Do

    June 4, 2026 — 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm ET

    Bethesda, MD

    Shane Liddelow, PhD
    Associate Professor
    NYU Grossman School of Medicine

    Dr. Shane Liddelow's primary research focus is on understanding the complex roles of astrocytes in the brain. Astrocytes are a type of glial cell that play crucial roles in maintaining brain homeostasis, supporting neuron function, and responding to injury. His work has particularly centered on a subtype of reactive astrocytes that we discovered, which release toxic factors capable of killing specific neurons.

    Online link

  2. The Neural Basis of Tear Secretion

    June 18, 2026 — 12:00 pm to 1:00 pm ET

    Qin Liu, PhD
    Full Professor
    Washington University in St. Louis

    Dr. Qin Liu’s research focuses on the neural components of allergic and infectious diseases. Her group aims to dissect the neuronal populations and circuits that drive allergic and infectious symptoms, including itchy, watery eyes, excessive sneezing, rhinorrhea, and coughing.

    Online link

  3. NIH S-Index Innovation Event

    July 21, 2026 — 9:00 am to 5:00 pm ET

    Bethesda, MD

    Registration: https://forms.office.com/g/JQA2y4usvT

    The Data Sharing Index (S-index) Challenge, is a National Institutes of Health $1-million competition aimed at incentivizing data sharing by calling on entrants to develop a robust novel metric that rewards researchers who share high-quality data. This event will announce the winners of the NIH S-Index Challenge, which is led by the National Eye Institute (NEI) with contributions from multiple National Institutes of Health (NIH) Institutes, Centers, and Offices (ICOs). NIH Director, Jay Battacharya will deliver the keynote, followed by a winning team presentation and panel discussions focused on implementation. This event is open to public. Please register using the form below. For assistance, including the need for sign language interpretation or other reasonable accommodation to participate in this event please contact Kathryn DeMott 5 days prior to the event at kathryn.demott@nih.gov

    NIH Videocast
See all upcoming events

Our Impact

Supporting Visionaries

NEI supports the next generation of scientists and innovators in vision research. Get an inside look at how NEI-funded scientists find their footing, and change lives, in vision research.

Uncover our impact

More from NEI

  • NEI History

    For more than 50 years, NEI has been at the cutting edge of vision research and outreach to help the public keep their eyes healthy.

    Learn about our story

  • Research Priorities

    Our research is focused on the leading causes of blindness and impaired vision. NEI supports research, trials, studies, and career development in these critical categories. NEI-funded research is being conducted at over 150 institutions worldwide.

    Explore research priorities

Last updated: April 9, 2026

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