The Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences has various resources to enable excellent research. Explore all the tools, documents and contacts below. We’re here to help you join our mission to save sight. Let’s get started.
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dovs research services
BIOSTATISTICAL CONSULTING
Biostatistical analysis enhances the robustness of research findings and should be employed for all types of research studies, including, but not limited to, basic, clinical, and population studies. Statistical consultation is especially valuable during the planning stage of a research study or a proposal for extramural funding. Powered studies are also now a requirement for both IRB applications and internal applications for gift funds appropriated through Funds Distribution Committee. The appropriate analyses provide a level of integrity and validity to research that strengthens the resulting findings enabling their acceptance by the biomedical community. DOVS offers two methods of biostatistical consulting.
DOVS Biostatistician
DOVS CORE BIOSTATISTICIAN
The UW-Madison Vision Research Core is funded by the National Eye Institute (NEI) and provides several services including biostatistics & epidemiology (BERC – Biostatistics and Epidemiology Resource Core). With additional support from the department, assistance currently is available at no cost for all faculty and learners. These individuals should contact the biostatistician early on in the process of developing an idea or project design.
SERVICES PROVIDED:
- Research Planning
- Provide assistance with both study design and sample size/power calculations.
- Data Analysis: Provide assistance with a particular analysis or choosing the right method for your study including but not limited to linear/logistic regression models, time series models, ANOVA/ANCOVA models, survival analysis and RNA-seq data analysis.
- Results Preparation and Presentation: Provide help with graph and table construction, results interpretation and the reporting of the used methods.
- Consulting Services: Provide consultation on statistical concepts (what is a p-value again?), methods (will a logistic regression be the right method for this situation?) or advanced analysis ideas.
INSTITUTE FOR CLINICAL AND TRANSLATIONAL RESEARCH (ICTR)
Services through ICTR are provided by the Department of Biostatistics and Medical Informatics (BMI). It is the policy of the Department of BMI that a request for biostatistics consultation must be made at least (3) weeks in advance of any grant, abstract, poster, or analysis deadline. For large grant submissions, like an R01, at least four (4) weeks’ notice is preferred.
SERVICES PROVIDED:
Consultation/collaboration in the planning, design, conduct, and analysis of clinical/translational research.
The initial consultation is free of charge. Fees may be project dependent. Please inquire upon consultation whether fees will be incurred for your project.
dovs research administration
Inna V. Larsen
Multi-Functional Research Administrator, Vision Core & T32 Administrator
(608) 265-2572
WE CAN HELP
Please use Grant Proposal Submission Form link to initiate the process. This form will ask for basic information that will assist Vaqar and Inna with the creation of the budget, WISPER, and/or Cayuse record, or any other forms required by the sponsor. Please have the form submitted at least 10 business days before the proposal is due, so that there is time for SMPH and RSP to approve it.
GRANT PROPOSAL SUBMISSION FORM
PRACTICAL RESOURCES FOR THE RESEARCH PROCESS

Researcher Toolkit
The Researcher Toolkit is a resource for UW-Madison faculty, staff, and student researchers that points to helpful resources for each phase of your research project.
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Research Data Services (RDS)
Research Data Services (RDS) is a free resource for anyone on the UW-Madison campus that provides consultations, best practice information, and education and training on research data management and sharing.
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SMPH Department of Medicine Introduction to Research Course
The Department of Medicine (DOM) offers an “Introduction to Research” course for faculty. The course has been offered on an annual basis and provides information on research program development and logistics.
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Grant Processing Resources for DOVS Faculty and Staff
A comprehensive grant processing guide for Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences researchers.
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WISPER
Electronic processing of the WISPER record includes sending through Research Administration under a Chair approval action. After all approvals are obtained, the record will be routed to the Dean’s office and from there to Research and Sponsored Programs (RSP).
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Cayuse
Cayuse is a web-based system for submission of applications via grants.gov. Applications to the NIH are submitted by RSP after electronic approval and routing through DOVS and the UW School of Medicine and Public Health.
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Outside Activities Disclosure
Outside Activities Disclosure needs to be filled out annually by all UW faculty.
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Research and Sponsored Programs (RSP)
The RSP page has guidance on routing and the award lifecycle.
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RSP - Effort Reporting and Certification
Information for Effort Reporting and Certification (ECRT).
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RSP - Frequently Needed Data
RSP’s Frequently Needed Data has relevant information for your research needs.
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Training Opportunities
Training opportunities for working in WISPER and Cayuse are offered on a regular basis by Research and Sponsored Programs and through the Graduate School Seminar Series.
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New Faculty Guide to Competing for Research Funding
While this book is written with new faculty in mind, the content provides information useful to research administrators. To locate, go to the External Resources dropdown and click on “New Faculty Guide to Competing for Research Funding.”
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The Art of Grantsmanship
Guidelines on preparing grant applications from the moment of conception to submitting the final proposal.
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UW Writing Center Grant Writing Handbook
Helpful aid on grant writing from the UW Writing Center.
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UW SMPH: Building Research Skills
UW SMPH research-related resources to help faculty and staff navigate institutional policies and procedures, find required or recommended trainings, locate opportunities for funding, and learn about research managements.
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UW SMPH: MATRIX Mentoring Program
Mentoring to Achieve Research Independence (MATRIX) is an intensive 9-month mentoring program coordinated by the School of Medicine and Public Health (SMPH) and designed to help faculty members (mentees) successfully land their first National Institute of Health (NIH) R01 Research Project Grant or equivalent.
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Policy on the Tangible Research Property
Document that outlines the University’s policy on the ownership, access and distribution of tangible research property.
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PI Obligations Under Research
Outlines the responsibilities of PIs to rights of invention/intellectual property.
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PI Portal
This is a dashboard for all your research administration, compliance, and training information (Click Access the PI Portal on the right)
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medRAMP Research AdMinistration and Proposal Development Services
SMPH Office of Research, Biotechnology and Graduate Studies has created this service to assist with the planning, development, and administration of competitive grant proposals.
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Compliance, protocol, and safety related training requirements
A comprehensive list from UW Madison of all trainings for PIs and all staff on protocols.
Learn MoreExtramural Funding resources
FEDERAL FUNDING

Centers for Disease Control
Centers for Disease Control has many research funding opportunities available.
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eRA electronic Research Admin
eRA is the Office of Extramural Research that has infrastructure to manage grants awarded by NIH.
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National Eye Institute
The National Eye Institute houses a large number of links on grants and funding.
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National Institutes of Health (NIH)
As America’s medical research agency, NIH supports research discoveries.
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NIH AND FEDERAL GRANT LINKS
Grants.gov is the U.S. government’s central website for funding opportunities through federal agencies.
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NSF FastLane
National Science Foundation FastLane is a computer system designed to quickly get you the NSF information you are looking for.
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398 forms
398 forms and instructions for new grant applications can be found as paper copies of the instructions for NIH grants. It can be downloaded from this page.
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Office of Extramural Support (OER)
The NIH OER has a great deal of information about grants, policy, and compliance.
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Progress Reports
For Progress reports use the RPPR system. There are no paper forms for this process.
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NIH RePORTER
NIH RePORTER is a query form to find the researcher or project you are looking for.
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NIH Frequently Used Links
For more questions about NIH, reference this page of useful NIH Links.
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VA Office of Research
For information on research opportunities with William S. Middleton Memorial Veterans Hospital, call (608) 280-7007 & ask for Dr. Nasia Safdar.
Learn MoreNON-FEDERAL FUNDING

American Academy of Optometry
American Academy of Optometry supports optometric research and education to improve clinical patient care.
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Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO)
ARVO has research awards, grants, and fellowships.
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BrightFocus Foundation
BrightFocus funds exceptional scientific research worldwide to defeat Alzheimer’s disease, macular degeneration, and glaucoma and provides expert information on these heartbreaking diseases.
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Foundation Fighting Blindness
Foundation Fighting Blindness hosts several research funding opportunities throughout the year.
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Glaucoma Foundation
Glaucoma Foundation awards grants to researchers who seek innovative ways to improve the lives of those living with glaucoma.
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Glaucoma Research Foundation
Glaucoma Research Foundation invests in research and education to find a cure for glaucoma.
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Intelligent Research In Sight (IRIS)
IRIS Registry Data Analysis, part of The American Academy of Ophthalmology, is the world’s largest specialty clinical data registry. Four grants are provided each year.
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Research to Prevent Blindness (RPB)
RPB funds high-performing departments of ophthalmology in the USA.
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Retina Research Foundation
Retina Research Foundation funds a wide variety of scientific research including pilot study grants, ongoing research projects, and lifetime achievement awards.
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Community Academic Partnership Fund
One of the Wisconsin Partnership Program funds also strives to improve the health of Wisconsinites. Here are three community grants offered: Community Collaboration Grants, Community Impact Grants, & Community Catalyst Grants
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Faculty Grant Programs
These programs seek to alleviate issues affecting people in Wisconsin. The three programs that DOVS faculty can participate in are: Collaborative Health Sciences Program, New Investigator Program, & Opportunity Grants Program
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Institutional Nominations and Competitions
Institutional nominations and internal competition occur within the Graduate School every year. There are a vast number of grants and programs with various deadlines.
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Training Grants
The T32 Vision Research Grant within DOVS is a competitive grant supporting training of graduate students and post-doctoral fellows.
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UW Institute for Institute for Clinical and Translational Research (ICTR)
Pilot funding through ICTR includes many award programs.
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UW Research Funding
Intramural funding is provided by the Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Education.
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UW School of Medicine and Public Health: Health Innovation Program
HIP partners UW faculty with organizations to advance health around the country.
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Wisconsin Network for Health Research (WINHR)
WINHR is a partnership established to promote statewide research.
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Wisconsin Partnership Program
The program seeks to improve the health and lives of people all over Wisconsin by investing in research, education, and community partnerships.
Learn MoreDOVS FUNDING Resources AND FUNDS DISTRIBUTION COMMITTEE

Learner Research Travel Grant Competition Request
Each year, the department offers travel funding for medical students and residents to present at conferences, $500 with a matching amount coming from the faculty mentor. Deadlines for these requests are January 1, April 1, July 1 and October 1. For more information please see the instructions provided.
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Graduate Student/Post Doctorate Research Travel Form
Use this form provided in the document library for graduate and post-doctoral students to apply for SMPH Mission Aligned Management and Allocation (MAMA) travel funds. There is an application period for these funds, generally in late fall.
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Research Project and Equipment Purchases
All request forms are available in the ophth document library (ODL) on the DOVS intranet, under the Funds Distribution Committee category. Use this form to request funds for research projects involving faculty or learners and/or equipment purchases.
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Support for Medical and Undergraduate Student Research
Please read over Support for Medical Student Research, which can be found on the DOVS intranet and explains various funding opportunities. Please note that it is expected that any faculty member wishing to mentor a medical student research project should provide supporting funds from their own resources. If matching funds by a faculty member are not available, DOVS mentors may seek matching funds using several mechanisms.
Learn MoreFUNDS DISTRIBUTION COMMITTEE
The Funds Distribution Committee (FDC) provides recommendations to the Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences (DOVS) Chair regarding distribution of awarded and garnered funds from the UW Foundation, WARF, SMPH, and outside donations provided to the Department. Since its inception in 2016, FDC has awarded more than $844,000, including $300,000 in support from the Lions Eye Bank of Wisconsin. Funds support medical student and resident research projects, international training opportunities, and faculty research and equipment. There are also designated funds for research in AMD, diabetic retinopathy, glaucoma, and cornea research. FDC documents can be found on the intranet and more information can be found below.
Unless otherwise indicated, deadlines for submission to the FDC are two weeks prior to each meeting. Specific deadlines can be found on the intranet. From time to time other funding opportunities may occur that do not adhere to FDC deadlines. In this event, an email announcing specifics for the funding opportunity will be sent to all faculty, staff and learners.
Please note that specific travel funds for fellows are available through each fellowship specialty. Contact the fellowship advisor for more information.
In general, faculty should realize that these mechanisms can support one student researcher per faculty member per year, so mentors should prioritize requests for student research funding support.
Completed applications for any of the opportunities listed above should be emailed to Kristin Larson, external relations coordinator, unless otherwise indicated in the application instructions.
(Please note that this requires NetID login and access to the DOVS intranet.)
UW Resources

Cores and Resources
Cores and Resources is a search engine to help UW researchers find research equipment and other services.
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Health Sciences Institutional Review Board (HS-IRB)
HS-IRB ensures that protocol is met in regards to research performed on humans.
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ICTR Clinical Research Unit (CRU)
Formerly known as GCRC, the CRU performs studies initiated by investigators and industry.
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Office of Biological Safety (OBS)
OBS ensures that safe laboratory procedures are followed for biological materials.
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Office of the Vice Chancellor for Research and Graduate Education
UW-Madison’s graduate school is an excellent place to get involved with research and make it your primary focus.
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Office of Clinical Trials (OCT)
OCT has support services for clinical trials on a fee-for-service basis.
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Policies, Responsibilities, and Procedures
Policies, Responsibilities, and Procedures provides an overview of UW Graduate School guidelines.
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Research and graduate studies
Research and graduate studies at UW Madison can help you determine your research focus.
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School of Medicine and Public Health
DOVS is part of SMPH, seeking new approaches to investigate illnesses.
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School of Medicine and Public Health Policy 70.10
Please note that all proposals for include non-exempt Human Subjects must also adhere to the following School of Medicine and Public Health policy.
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UW Biotechnology Center
The Biotechnology Center accomplishes services for UW researchers, including providing them with technology and resources.
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Wisconsin Discovery Portal
Wisconsin Discovery Portal is an excellent searchable database for all Principal Investigators at UW by topic, including a list of publications.
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Biomedical Research Model Services (BRMS)
Formerly known as LAR, BRMS offers care for research animals to ensure quality experimental design.
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Research Animals Resources Center (RARC)
RARC provides resources for animals used in research activities.
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