Funder: Research to Prevent Blindness
Due Dates (Anticipated): June 2027 (Nomination) | July 2027 (Application)
Funding Amounts: $300,000 per award in two $150,000 payments, expended within three years
Summary: Seed funding for innovative, high-risk research to understand age-related macular degeneration or develop treatments for its dry or wet forms.
Key Information: Department Chair nomination is required, with only one nominee per department in this award category.
Description
Research to Prevent Blindness (RPB) supports novel approaches to understanding age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and developing treatments for its dry and wet forms. The Catalyst Award provides seed funding for high-risk, high-gain vision science that demonstrates innovative, cutting-edge thinking. Ideally, at least one award will support clinically relevant translational research that could lead to AMD therapeutics or treatment but has not entered clinical trials.
Research topics may include AMD genetics and pathogenesis, predictive models, new animal and in vitro models, prevention of retinal degeneration, diagnosis and progression tracking, metabolic factors, stem cell treatments, optogenetics, and treatment-delivery innovations. Projects must connect directly to AMD, rather than incrementally extend previously or currently funded research.
