Project Summary With this application, we seek continued support for the Vision Research Training Grant (VRTG) at the University of Utah. The Vision T32 is currently the only support for trainees seeking research careers as vision scientists in the Intermountain West. Our interdisciplinary Program in Vision Science builds on a longstanding track record of excellence in investigations of basic mechanisms of eye function within the context of human disease that has propelled vision research at the University of Utah to top national spots in terms of NIH research funding and ophthalmic clinical care. The Program includes eighteen NIH/NEI- and NSF-funded VRTG preceptors aligned in five broad areas of vision research (Molecular Biology/Biochemistry, Cellular and Developmental Science, Ocular Disease/Animal Models, Translational Interventions, and Computational Science) across five departments, seven interdepartmental umbrella Programs and the top two research universities in Utah. Funds are requested to train two predoctoral and one postdoctoral trainee per year in rigorous design, performance and analysis of experiments, grant writing, effective communication of scientific principles. The trainees will absorb and present vision-related information through courses, seminars, retreats and conferences, through meetings with national leaders in vision science and via rigorous, hypothesis-driven, supervised research. The didactic aspect includes formal RCR, reproducibility & rigor, statistics, grant writing programs, the Visual Neuroscience course and other relevant neuroscience, molecular biology, chemistry courses that will equip students with a comprehensive understanding of basic, applied and in some cases, clinical vision science. Our pre- and postdoctoral trainees have a superb publishing record, with recent graduates placed in academic, industry and biomedical positions. The excellent Program outcomes reflect the high quality of trainees who choose vision science at the University of Utah, dedication and strong track record of the preceptors, a large affiliate pool of vision researchers and collaborators, and a rigorous training program that has been put in place over the last 10 years to train future leaders in vision research.