Eye for AI Catalyst Grant
A new vision for collaborative discovery
The Department of Ophthalmology at Dell Medical School and the Mitchel and Shannon Wong Eye Institute invite expressions of interest for the Eye for AI Catalyst Grant, a seed funding opportunity designed to spark new collaborations at the intersection of artificial intelligence and ophthalmology. The program seeks to connect The University of Texas at Austin faculty, postdoctoral fellows, graduate students and research teams across colleges, schools and research units with ophthalmology investigators, clinicians and vision scientists.
The department is intentionally seeking a broad range of ideas and perspectives. Respondents are not expected to have an established ophthalmology research program, an existing ophthalmology collaborator or a fully developed project at the initial interest stage. Researchers from any discipline whose expertise may contribute to vision science, eye disease, imaging, data analytics, clinical care, population health, engineering, computing, informatics, responsible AI or related fields are encouraged to participate.
The goal is to identify promising intersections between artificial intelligence and ophthalmology, support new cross-campus teams and generate the preliminary data, relationships and momentum needed to pursue future extramural funding opportunities.
Why ophthalmology and AI?
Ophthalmology is a data-rich specialty with extensive imaging, diagnostic and longitudinal clinical information that creates distinctive opportunities for artificial intelligence research. Beyond eye disease, ophthalmic data may contribute to advances in neuroscience, aging, cardiovascular and metabolic disease, population health, clinical decision support and digital health. The department is eager to partner with researchers whose expertise may reveal new applications, approaches and questions that ophthalmology investigators may not yet have considered.
Key dates
- Initial interest form deadline: Oct. 30, 2026
- Selected respondents invited to stage two: Nov. 5, 2026
- Detailed project submission deadline: Nov. 15, 2026
- Planned award announcement: Jan. 15, 2027
Build new collaborations — connect with ophthalmology faculty, clinicians and vision scientists to explore new research directions
Bring a new perspective — apply expertise from another discipline to a clinical and scientific environment rich in imaging and health data
Create a pathway to future funding — support team formation, pilot work and preliminary data development for future extramural opportunities
Access clinical partnership — collaborate with ophthalmology investigators and, as appropriate, clinical expertise, patient populations and imaging resources
Start with a low-burden process — the first step is a short expression of interest, not a full proposal
One award of up to $50,000 is planned. No detailed budget justification is required at the initial interest stage. For invited second-stage submissions, applicants will provide the amount requested and a high-level description of the proposed use of funds. Funds must directly advance the selected project and may not support unrelated operations or replace existing budgeted funds.
The opportunity is open to UT Austin faculty members, postdoctoral fellows and graduate students. Projects advancing to the second stage must include a full-time Dell Medical School Department of Ophthalmology faculty member as a co-principal investigator or co-investigator. Respondents without an existing collaborator are encouraged to submit an interest form. The department will facilitate introductions where appropriate.
Stage one: Initial interest form
The brief form will request applicant information, areas of expertise, a short interest summary, potential opportunity areas, the unique contribution the respondent may bring and whether an ophthalmology collaborator has already been identified. This stage is intended to support discovery and matchmaking, not to require a fully developed proposal.
Stage two: Invited project submission
Respondents selected by the Department Chair and Associate Chair for Research will be invited to submit additional information, including the project title and team, project summary, research question or initial aim, innovation, proposed approach, anticipated outcomes and impact, future funding strategy, requested funds, resource needs, feasibility, timeline, and potential human-subjects or clinical-data considerations.
Initial interest submissions will be reviewed for relevance to artificial intelligence and ophthalmology or vision science, potential for meaningful cross-disciplinary collaboration, originality and alignment with areas the department is interested in exploring. Invited second-stage submissions will also be evaluated for anticipated impact, feasibility, readiness, resource requirements, and potential to support future extramural funding. An invitation to submit additional information does not guarantee an award.
Review committee: Alice Chuang, PhD; Jane Edmond, M.D.; and Robert Feldman, M.D.
How to apply
To apply for the Eye for AI Catalyst Grant and request the submission form, email ophthalmology.research@austin.utexas.edu.
Questions and collaboration support
Prospective respondents are welcome to contact the department to discuss an idea, explore a possible collaboration or request help identifying an ophthalmology faculty partner.
Questions may be directed to ophthalmology.research@austin.utexas.edu.