Novel light source development for robust multi-MHz retinal OCT
NEI - National Eye Institute
About This Grant
PROJECT SUMMARY / ABSTRACT Ocular disease may arise anywhere in the human retina, which spans roughly 70% of the eye's internal surface. While optical coherence tomography (OCT) has become the premier technology for retinal disease diagnosis, current instruments are incapable of accessing the peripheral retina due to slow imaging speeds. This proposal seeks to enable next-generation OCT technology that will make diagnostic screening and visualization of both the central and peripheral retinal areas a reality; increasing imaging speed roughly 50-fold will allow wide-field retinal imaging without increasing procedure time. This advancement is empowered by a novel laser technology, stretched-pulse-mode-locking, recently developed for OCT by the founders of Bluebird Photonics. This Phase I STTR support will allow Bluebird to refine the SPML laser design and advance from a prototype to a turn-key, environmentally robust commercial laser. Specific aims include the implementation of a bias-free, Sagnac-loop amplitude modulator and the development of a closed-loop locking mechanism to ensure a stable synchronization between the modulator and the optical cavity resonance. The resulting laser will offer a significant advance over existing commercial OCT technology in speed (5 MHz vs ~100 kHz), cost, stability, reliability, and ease of integration. Commercial SPML lasers will serve as a catalyst for further development of ultrawide-field OCT instrumentation and support clinical evaluation across a range of diseases.
Grant Summary
Novel light source development for robust multi-MHz retinal OCT is a NEI - National Eye Institute grant providing up to $306K for university, nonprofit, healthcare org. Applications are due 2026-08-31 (open). Check eligibility and apply with FindGrants.
Focus Areas
Eligibility
How to Apply
Up to $306K
2026-08-31
- 1Confirm your organization is eligible for Novel light source development for robust multi-MHz retinal OCT from NEI - National Eye Institute, checking organization type, location, and any population or project requirements.
- 2Gather the required documents and information, including your organization details, project plan, and budget figures.
- 3Draft your application narrative and budget addressing the funder's priorities and review criteria. FindGrants can draft each section for you to review and edit.
- 4Review every section against the requirements checklist, then export a submission-ready application pack and submit it to NEI - National Eye Institute before the deadline.
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Novel light source development for robust multi-MHz retinal OCT: Frequently Asked Questions
Who is eligible for the Novel light source development for robust multi-MHz retinal OCT?
Novel light source development for robust multi-MHz retinal OCT is offered by NEI - National Eye Institute and is generally open to university, nonprofit, healthcare org. It is open to organizations nationwide unless the funder specifies otherwise. Review the specific eligibility terms before applying, since funders set their own requirements around organization type, location, and the population or project being served.
How much funding does the Novel light source development for robust multi-MHz retinal OCT provide?
Novel light source development for robust multi-MHz retinal OCT provides up to $306K per award from NEI - National Eye Institute. Actual award sizes depend on the scope of your project, available program funds, and the number of applicants, so build a budget that reflects realistic, allowable costs rather than the maximum figure.
When is the Novel light source development for robust multi-MHz retinal OCT deadline?
Applications for Novel light source development for robust multi-MHz retinal OCT are due 2026-08-31 (open). Because deadlines can change, verify the date with the funder, NEI - National Eye Institute, and give yourself enough time to prepare a complete, competitive application before the close date.
How do you apply for the Novel light source development for robust multi-MHz retinal OCT?
To apply for Novel light source development for robust multi-MHz retinal OCT, confirm your eligibility, gather the required documents, and prepare a narrative and budget that address the funder's priorities. FindGrants guides you step by step and can draft each section, then exports a submission-ready application pack for this grant from NEI - National Eye Institute.