RPB Stein Innovation Awards
The RPB Stein Innovation Awards support groundbreaking, high-risk research to advance understanding of the visual system and vision-related diseases through innovative scientific approaches.
Funder: Research to Prevent Blindness
Due Dates: January 10, 2026 (Ophthalmology faculty) | July 1, 2026 (Non-ophthalmology faculty) | December 15, 2025 (Nomination, Ophthalmology) | June 15, 2026 (Nomination, Non-ophthalmology)
Funding Amounts: $300,000 total per award, paid in two installments over up to 3 years; second installment contingent on mid-term progress report.
Summary: Supports high-risk, innovative vision research projects that depart from conventional lines of inquiry to advance understanding of the visual system and related diseases.
Key Information: Nomination by department chair required; only one applicant per department per cycle; no indirect costs allowed.
Description
The RPB Stein Innovation Awards provide substantial seed funding for bold, high-impact vision research that is unlikely to be supported by traditional federal or nonprofit sources. The awards are designed to catalyze new lines of inquiry and support projects that are innovative, high-risk, and demonstrate out-of-the-box thinking in understanding the visual system and diseases affecting vision. Proposals must clearly differentiate themselves from the candidate’s prior research and from standard “R01-type” projects, emphasizing novelty and a departure from previously funded work.
Awards are divided into two cycles each year:
- January deadline: For faculty with a primary appointment in a Department of Ophthalmology.
- July deadline: For faculty with a primary appointment in a non-ophthalmology department (e.g., basic science).
The program is not intended for start-up ventures or to extend existing research lines. Projects must have compelling preliminary data and a clear research plan, including a discussion of potential pitfalls.
