Funder: Research to Prevent Blindness
Due Dates: December 15, 2026 (January cycle nomination) | January 10, 2027 (January cycle application) | June 15, 2027 (July cycle nomination) | July 1, 2027 (July cycle application)
Funding Amounts: $350,000 over four years, with third- and fourth-year payments contingent on mid-term review
Summary: Supports junior ophthalmology faculty developing independent research careers through research on any vision-related topic.
Key Information: Requires prior nomination by an eligible ophthalmology chair at an RPB-supported department.
Description
Research to Prevent Blindness (RPB) offers its flagship Career Development Award to help ophthalmology department chairs support promising junior faculty who have demonstrated potential for independent research. The award aims to launch research careers and catalyze sight-saving discoveries. It has no specific scientific focus and accepts work on any topic within vision research. A clearly defined departmental mentoring plan is an important part of the award.
The RPB/Tom Wertheimer Career Development Award in Data Science supports vision research using artificial intelligence and data science to gain new knowledge about sight-threatening conditions. Where applicable, RPB strongly encourages including diverse populations in proposed studies. Up to eight Career Development Awards will be given annually.
