RPB Career Advancement Award
The RPB Career Advancement Award by Research to Prevent Blindness supports early-career vision scientists in advancing research toward a second NIH R01 grant.
Funder: Research to Prevent Blindness
Due Dates (Anticipated): December 2026 (Nomination form, Spring) | January 2027 (Full application, Spring) | June 2027 (Nomination form, Fall) | July 2027 (Full application, Fall)
Funding Amounts: $150,000 (one-time award, 2-year expenditure period, typically one award per cycle)
Summary: Supports early-career vision scientists with an active NIH R01 in generating new data to advance toward a second R01.
Key Information: Department Chair nomination required; only one applicant per department per cycle.
Description
The Career Advancement Award from Research to Prevent Blindness (RPB) provides a one-time, $150,000 grant to outstanding early-career vision scientists in the United States. The purpose is to help recipients—who must already hold their first NIH R01—advance significant research projects and strengthen their research programs as they work toward securing a second R01. The award is designed to foster innovation and continued growth in the field of vision science by supporting promising investigators at a pivotal stage in their academic careers. The award is open to all areas within vision research and is intended to fund research equipment, staff, and related expenditures, but cannot be used to replace existing salary support.
