Fighting Blindness Career Development Award (Ireland)

These awards have funded attendance at international conferences and laboratory training abroad. The awardees have participated in prominent conferences, including ARVO and the FENS forum.

A key priority for Fighting Blindness is to support the next generation of vision researchers. They recognize that training, networking and developing collaborations are key to the career development of early-stage career researchers and clinicians.

Purpose

• The purpose of the award is to provide funding for applicants to:
  • Attend an official training course (in-person or virtual).
  • Attend training in another laboratory on a specific technique(s).
  • Present research papers/posters at national/international conferences/workshops (in person or virtual).
  • Facilitate national and/or international networking and collaboration meetings or events.

Funding Information

• The maximum total funding available for the award is €1,500. Eligible costs include registration, travel, accommodation, subsidence and activity costs.
• The activity must take place between January 2025 and December 2025.
• Applicants can apply for funding for more than one activity, but costs must be no more than €1,500 total. For example, an applicant can apply to attend a vision research-related training course and also to present at national/international conferences/workshops once the budget does not exceed €1,500 and it is clear how these activities will be of benefit to their career development.

Eligibility Criteria

• In order to be eligible to apply for funding, a proposed host institution must be a higher education institution on the island of Ireland.
• Applications that do not meet the eligibility criteria will not be assessed. Therefore, they strongly recommend you read the following to be made aware of requirements:
  • Activity: The activity must be in the vision loss research specifically in the areas of inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) and age related macular degeneration (AMD). Applications in the area of diabetic retinopathy will also be considered.
  • In terms of training if the training is in a broader area, then the applicant must demonstrate how it is useful for their career in vision loss research.
  • Networking and collaboration events must be in the area of vision loss research.
  • Clinical activities with no research aspect are not eligible.
  • The funding is not meant to be used to supplement an existing networking and collaboration event. It should be a standalone activity.
  • Training in another laboratory must be for a specific technique or techniques that will directly benefit your vision loss research. This training must not be available in your own lab.
• Academic applicants must:
  • Be a PhD student or an untenured postdoctoral scientist (not be tenured for a lectureship position at the time of applying for the Career Development Award).
  • For postdoctoral scientists have between a maximum five years research experience following their doctoral degree (time since date of thesis submission).
  • Have a strong commitment to progressing their career in vision research.
  • Have a studentship or contract in the host institute that covers the entire duration of the award.
• Clinical applicants must:
  • Have a medical degree.
  • Must not be at consultant level.
  • Have previous experience undertaking research.
  • Have a strong commitment to undertaking vision research.
  • Have a contract in the host institute that covers the entire duration of the award.

For more information, visit Fighting Blindness.