RPB Unrestricted Grant
RPB Unrestricted Grant supports ophthalmology departments with flexible funding to expand eye research programs, pursue innovative approaches to eye diseases, and mentor vision researchers.
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Funder: Research to Prevent Blindness
Due Dates: January 10, 2027 (Spring application) | July 1, 2027 (Fall application)
Funding Amounts: $150,000 annually over a five-year grant term
Summary: Flexible departmental support to develop and expand eye research programs beyond the scope of restricted project grants.
Key Information: Intended for current RPB Unrestricted Grantees or departments whose RPB Challenge Grants are ending, with permanent, full-time chairs.
Description
Research to Prevent Blindness (RPB) provides Unrestricted Grants to ophthalmology departments at university-connected, U.S.-based medical schools. The program supports the development and expansion of a department’s eye research program as a whole, rather than restricting funding to a single project. Its central goal is to give departments flexibility for creative planning beyond the project grants scientists normally rely on for their principal support.
The grant forms part of RPB’s departmental funding model, alongside Challenge Grants. Department chairs allocate this unrestricted support to enable innovative scientific approaches to eye diseases. RPB’s departmental grantees undergo rigorous peer review of their research environment and leadership, helping establish settings that provide support and mentorship for early- and mid-career vision researchers.
