RPB Catalyst Award for Innovative Research Approaches for Age-Related Macular Degeneration
This grant funds innovative, high-risk research to advance the understanding or treatment of age-related macular degeneration through novel scientific approaches.
Funder: Research to Prevent Blindness
Due Dates (Anticipated): December 2026 (Nomination form deadline for January cycle) | June 2027 (Nomination form deadline) | July 2027 (Full application deadline)
Funding Amounts: Up to $300,000 per award, paid in two installments over up to three years; typically three awards per cycle.
Summary: Supports innovative, high-risk research projects that advance the understanding or treatment of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) through novel scientific approaches.
Key Information: Nomination by department chair is required; only one nominee per department per cycle.
Description
The Catalyst Award for Innovative Research Approaches for Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD) provides seed funding to researchers developing novel, high-risk/high-gain approaches to understanding or treating AMD. The program encourages applications proposing innovative, cutting-edge research that demonstrates out-of-the-box thinking, with at least one award per cycle reserved for translational research (clinically relevant but not yet in trials). Eligible projects may address AMD genetics, new models, predictive tools, diagnostic or tracking methods, metabolic or stem cell interventions, optogenetics, or therapeutic delivery innovations. The award is co-funded by Research to Prevent Blindness (RPB) and partner organizations, and is intended to catalyze new directions in AMD research.
