Funder: Research to Prevent Blindness
Due Dates: December 15, 2026 (January-cycle nomination) | January 10, 2027 (January application) | June 15, 2027 (July-cycle nomination) | July 1, 2027 (July application)
Funding Amounts: $350,000 over four years; third- and fourth-year payments depend on approved mid-term progress
Summary: Supports promising junior ophthalmology faculty conducting vision research and developing independent research careers.
Key Information: Applicants must be nominated by their chair at an RPB-supported ophthalmology department.
Description
Research to Prevent Blindness (RPB) runs this flagship award to help RPB-supported ophthalmology chairs foster promising junior faculty who have demonstrated potential for independent research. The program aims to launch research careers and catalyze sight-saving work. The main Career Development Award has no specific scientific focus and supports any topic within vision research. A detailed departmental mentoring plan is an important part of the award.
The RPB/Tom Wertheimer Career Development Award in Data Science focuses on 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 are given annually.
