Disease Model Award
The Disease Model Award funds research to develop and validate innovative non-rodent models for inherited retinal diseases and dry AMD, supporting preclinical science that advances human-relevant disease understanding.
Funder: Foundation Fighting Blindness
Due Dates (Anticipated): October 2026 (Letter of Intent) | March 2027 (Full Application)
Funding Amounts: $300,000–$1,000,000 total over 3–5 years; no indirect costs; PI salary support up to 20% of annual budget.
Summary: Supports development and validation of innovative non-rodent disease models for inherited retinal diseases (IRD) and dry age-related macular degeneration (dAMD).
Key Information: LOI required; full applications by invitation only; global eligibility.
Description
The Foundation Fighting Blindness Disease Model Award funds research to develop, characterize, and validate innovative non-rodent disease models—using in silico, in vitro, or in vivo approaches—to advance therapeutic discovery for inherited retinal diseases (IRD) and dry age-related macular degeneration (dAMD). The program addresses a critical gap in the translational pipeline by supporting models that more accurately reflect human disease pathology, enabling faster and more predictive preclinical research. Research focusing solely on therapeutic development is not eligible; proposals must prioritize disease model development and validation.
