RPB Catalyst Award for Innovative Research Approaches for Age-Related Macular Degeneration
The Catalyst Awards fund innovative, high-risk research projects using novel scientific approaches to advance understanding or treatment of age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Funder: Research to Prevent Blindness
Due Dates: June 15, 2026 (Nomination form) | July 1, 2026 (Full application) | December 15, 2026 (Nomination form) | January 10, 2027 (Full application)
Funding Amounts: Up to $300,000 per award, paid in two installments over up to 3 years; typically 3 awards per cycle.
Summary: Supports innovative, high-risk research to advance understanding or treatment of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) through novel scientific approaches.
Key Information: Nomination by department chair is required before application.
Description
The Catalyst Awards for Innovative Research Approaches for Age-Related Macular Degeneration, offered by Research to Prevent Blindness (RPB), fund high-risk, high-gain vision science research projects that demonstrate out-of-the-box thinking and novel approaches to understanding or treating AMD. Projects may address AMD genetics, pathogenesis, predictive models, new animal or in vitro models, retinal degeneration prevention, innovative diagnostics, metabolic factors, stem cell or optogenetic treatments, and novel therapeutic delivery systems. The awards are intended as seed funding for research that would not otherwise be supported by incremental extensions of existing grants. At least one of the annual awards is expected to focus on translational research with clinical relevance.
