# Vision Research Training Program > **NIH NIH T32** · UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON · 2024 · $254,743 ## Abstract PROJECT SUMMARY/ABSTRACT The objective of the Vision Research Training Program (VRTP) is to provide the next generation of vision scientists a comprehensive understanding of the basic and clinical science of the nature, prevention and treatment of diseases of the visual system, while preparing them for careers in academic research. We are applying for a renewal of the VRTP T32EY027721 training grant to help achieve this objective. The VRTP is an interdisciplinary training program in the visual sciences that crosses traditional department, school, and institute boundaries. The VRTP supports interdisciplinary, collaborative and translational research so that trainees are prepared to enter and compete within emerging, interactive research environments. The inaugural period of funding of this T32 represented the first vision-related training grant at UW-Madison and helped overcome a disbursed training structure that was defined by trainees mentored by individual faculty and which did not provide a broader context and cross collaboration among faculty from multiple disciplines. During the last funding period, the VRTP provided resources to facilitate mentor-mentee research activities while also providing a structure that facilitated learning opportunities from a wide range of scientific disciplines as well as exposure to, and interactions with, clinician scientists and clinicians to better understand translational applications of vision research and clinical management of major ocular diseases. If renewed, the VRTP will continue to provide an exceptional scientific and learning environment for trainees to interact with translational and basic scientists and clinicians. UW-Madison is an outstanding environment for the training of future vision scientists. These include a Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences (DOVS) with exemplary prowess in both research and clinical activities; the McPherson Eye Research Institute (MERI); a School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH) with renown faculty and physical facilities; an equally renowned Graduate School with Schools and Colleges containing numerous graduate programs and outstanding research mentors in the biological, engineering, and computational sciences. The VRTP is a coordinated and collaborative effort between DOVS and MERI. Eighteen faculty affiliated with DOVS and MERI currently comprise the VRTP. They are organized according to four areas of research emphasis: (a) Development and Diseases of the Anterior Segment, (b) Development and Diseases of the Posterior Segment; (c) Ocular Epidemiology and Genetics; (d) Higher Order Visual Processing. Support is being requested for 3 pre-doctoral trainees and 1 post-doctoral trainee. Pre-doctoral trainees will be supported by the training grant for 1-2 years and post-doctoral trainees for 1-3 years. Training will consist of didactic and research components. Trainees will benefit from individual development plans as well as structured career planning an... ## Key facts - **NIH application ID:** 10848523 - **Project number:** 2T32EY027721-06A1 - **Recipient organization:** UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN-MADISON - **Principal Investigator:** ROBERT W NICKELLS - **Activity code:** T32 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.) - **Funding institute:** NIH - **Fiscal year:** 2024 - **Award amount:** $254,743 - **Award type:** 2 - **Project period:** 2018-09-30 → 2029-06-30 ## Primary source NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10848523 ## Citation > US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10848523, Vision Research Training Program (2T32EY027721-06A1). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-06-14 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10848523. Licensed CC0. --- *[NIH grants dataset](/datasets/nih-grants) · CC0 1.0*