RFPs: Macular Degeneration Research Program

BrightFocus is committed to supporting scientists from diverse backgrounds to foster creativity and innovation in addressing complex scientific challenges. They strongly encourage applications from individuals who are from groups underrepresented in the field of age-related macular degeneration research.

Types of Awards

• Postdoctoral Fellowship Program
• New Investigator Grant Program
• Innovative Research Grants

Scope

• Postdoctoral Fellowship Program
  • This fellowship program is intended to support young postdoctoral researchers during their final stages of mentored training. The award provides salary support for a young scientist to conduct postdoctoral studies in an established laboratory focused on research contributing to understanding the biological causes and/or new clinical treatment of macular degeneration and should also serve as the basis for the applicant’s own independent research career.
• New Investigator Grant Program
  • This research grant is intended to support investigators during their early years as an independent investigator involved in studies that have an impact on the causes and/or treatment of macular degeneration.
• Innovative Research Grants
  • This program is intended to provide support for high-risk/high-gain age-related macular degeneration research. They hope to attract established investigators to apply for this support, but the aims of the application must contain outside-the-box ideas that are novel in the field. Applicants who are experts in another field are encouraged to apply their talents to proposing innovative research in the macular degeneration field.

Funding Information

• Postdoctoral Fellowship Program
  • Award Amount: $100,000 per year (total value $200,000)
  • Duration: 2 years
• New Investigator Grant Program
  • Award Amount: $150,000 per year (total value $450,000)
  • Duration: up to 3 years
• Innovative Research Grants
  • Award Amount: $200,000 per year (total value $600,000)
  • Duration: up to 3 years

Eligibility Criteria

• Postdoctoral Fellowship Program
  • Candidates must hold an MD, PhD, DVM, DO, OD or equivalent degree received no more than four years before the time of application. For clinician scientists, this application should be submitted within two years after completion of their final clinical training. Exceptions to the above four-year and two-year eligibility period will be considered under unusual circumstances. Candidates must submit a written exception request to BrightFocus and obtain approval before applying
  • Applicant may apply for this fellowship before completing their terminal degree, if they have a firm commitment from the laboratory head in which training will take place, and the applicant is the main author of the application
  • Fellowship may be performed in a non-profit, governmental, academic research institution, or at a forprofit including start-up and biotech institution
  • Previous recipients of this award are not eligible
• New Investigator Grant Program
  • This research grant program is restricted to new and early investigators who have received their MD, PhD or equivalent degree within the past 10 years at the time of application. While BrightFocus designed this award with the intention of supporting investigators who are just starting an independent research career in macular degeneration research who do not have independent grant support, they will consider new scientists who also have new R01-or equivalent grant support if the research proposed is not overlapping with other awards. Exceptions to the above ten-year eligibility period will be considered under unusual circumstances. Candidates must submit a written exception request to BrightFocus and obtain approval before applying.
  • Specific eligibility criteria include:
    • Candidates must hold an MD, PhD, DVM, DO, OD or equivalent degree
    • Applicant must serve as the Principal Investigator on the project and have independent laboratory space. The applicant should use the indicated space on the application forms to clarify any position that is not immediately recognizable as an independent research position
    • While some of the grant can be used to support salary for the PI, the percent requested should be limited to the lesser of 35% of the total grant request, or 35% of the individual’s salary
    • Applicants may currently be working in a non-profit, governmental, academic research institution, or at a for-profit including start-up and biotech institution
• Innovative Research Grants
  • Candidates must hold an MD, PhD, DVM, DO, OD or equivalent degree
  • Applicant must serve as the Principal Investigator on the project and have independent laboratory space
  • While some of the grant can be used to support salary for the PI, the percent requested should be limited to the lesser of 35% of the total grant request, or 35% of the individual’s salary. Co-PI salaries are capped at the lesser of 25% of the total grant request, or 25% of the individual’s salary. Note: Postdoctoral fellows should not be named as Co-PI on Innovative Research awards but should instead apply for the MDR Postdoctoral fellowship.
  • Applicants may currently be working in a non-profit, governmental, academic research institution, or at a for-profit including start-up and biotech institution
  • Previous recipients of this award are not eligible.

For more information, visit BrightFocus Foundation.