Applications for RPB grants must be submitted by the chairman of a department of ophthalmology and are then evaluated via a three-tiered review process. RPB Ad Hoc Committees, which are comprised of selected national vision research leaders, conduct initial grant reviews and forward their recommendations to the standing RPB Scientific Advisory Panel for further evaluation. The Advisory Panel includes some of the nation's most distinguished scientists representing a broad range of scientific disciplines and interests. Their recommendations are presented to the RPB Board of Trustees for final approval.
| "The Unrestricted Grant from Research to Prevent Blindness has been invaluable," states Robert D. Yee, chairman of the Indiana University Department of Opthalmology. "We use the funds to create new research laboratories and begin new programs, which later can successfully compete for funding from other sources. Almost every program in the department has benefited directly from RPB grants." |
Please note: Grant applications are not available on RPB's website. For complete grant guidelines and applications, or if you have any questions regarding RPB's Grants Program, contact RPB's Grant Administrator at 212.752.4333 or ltilton@rpbusa.org.
RPB accepts grant applications twice a year, January 1st and July 1st, for the grant categories listed below. Guidelines and application forms must be requested by the chair of the department of ophthalmology or the department's grant coordinator. Departments of ophthalmology must have an RPB Unrestricted / Challenge Grant in order to apply for individual grants, and only permanent, full-time department chairs are eligible to apply for an Unrestricted / Challenge Grant.
New chairs should speak with RPB's Chief Operating Officer prior to the submission of an application. If a proposal for an Unrestricted or Challenge Grant is rejected, the chair must wait two years before reapplying, so RPB strongly encourages thorough preparation and planning before an application is submitted.
If you are interested in any of these grant opportunities, first consult with your Department Chairman, Grant Coordinator and/or Director of Research. Click on a grant category for a fuller description.
RPB UNRESTRICTED GRANTS provide maximum flexibility in developing and expanding eye research programs. These annual $110K grants provide opportunities for creative planning that go beyond the scope of restricted project grants that scientists normally depend upon for their principal support. Only departments of ophthalmology with a full-time, permanent chair at university-connected medical schools are eligible for support.
RPB CHALLENGE GRANTS encourage growth for newly-emerging eye research programs and recently appointed research directors at non-grantee ophthalmology departments at university-connected medical schools. These unrestricted $220K grants are awarded over a 4-year period.
JULES AND DORIS STEIN RPB PROFESSORSHIPS help attract exceptionally talented basic scientists to devote their careers to eye research. RPB Grantee department heads may recruit from basic science departments outside of or within their own institution. The nominee must be recruited into a primary appointment in the ophthalmology department, with a secondary appointment in a basic science department (which must provide a small portion of salary support). RPB funds these professorships with $500K over a five-year period, and offers a matching grant of up to $150K to help renovate and equip lab space to be utilized by the Awardee. After the fourth year of funding, RPB will accept applications to extend support for an additional two years, bringing the total potential support to $850K.
RPB SENIOR SCIENTIFIC INVESTIGATOR AWARDS in the amount of $75K apiece support well established scientists functioning with primary appointments as full Professors in departments of ophthalmology. Candidates must be recognized as national leaders in their field of scientific interest and be actively engaged in eye research. Applications will be evaluated on the basis of the nominee's ongoing research activities – this is not a prize for past achievements. Only one nomination per school may be made each year.
RPB PHYSICIAN-SCIENTIST AWARDS help to strengthen and promote clinical and/or basic research done by clinicians in RPB Grantee ophthalmology departments. Three to five $60K grants will be awarded each fall, offering support for early or mid-career MDs holding primary positions as Assistant Professors through full Professors in ophthalmology departments. MD/PhD's and PhD's are ineligible. Candidates should be nationally recognized in their subspecialty and actively engaged in research. Only one application in this category will be accepted from any RPB Grantee chair.
RPB LEW R WASSERMAN MERIT AWARDS provide $60K in unrestricted grants to support mid-career [MD & PhD] scientists. Candidates may range from Associate Professors through full Professors holding primary positions within departments of ophthalmology. They should be recognized in their field of scientific endeavor and be extensively engaged in eye research. Only one application from any RPB grantee department will be considered in this grant category.
