AMD/RP Awards is a grant from the McPherson Eye Research Institute at the University of Wisconsin-Madison that funds vision science research focused on age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and retinitis pigmentosa (RP). Awards are $50,000 each, supported by the Roger and Lynn Van Vreede endowment and the Robert A. Brandt Macular Degeneration Fund.

Applications are reviewed by a scientific advisory committee of MERI members. Eligible applicants are MERI members at UW-Madison. The application period typically opens in late August or early September.

Awards – McPherson Eye Research Institute – UW–Madison U niversity of W isconsin –Madison Supported by the generosity of Roger and Lynn Van Vreede and by the Robert A. Brandt Macular Degeneration Fund Application deadline: The deadline for this award opportunity has passed. The next application period opens in late August/early September 2024.

Award amount: $50,000 each Applications reviewed by the MERI Leadership Committee October 18th: Submissions close Mid-November: Finalists are notified Early December: Finalists deliver proposal talks to MERI Leadership Committee Late December: Winners announced Downloadable Application Form ( button currently inactive ) AMD / RP Award Recipients The McPherson ERI is offering two $50,000 awards to advance research in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and one $50,000 award to advance research in retinitis pigmentosa (RP).

To be considered for this award, you must (i) be a McPherson ERI member at UW–Madison and (ii) be faculty, a permanent principal investigator, or have limited PI status (see complete eligibility criteria here ). Winners can expect to receive their award approximately 3 months after the application deadline, and must use their award within 12 months of receipt (unless a one year no cost extension is granted).

The proposed project must not be funded through any other internal or external grant mechanism up until the time that it is awarded. Award funds cannot be used for tuition remission or for meeting/conference attendance. Eligibility Requirements: To be eligible to receive an AMD / RP Award, you must… • …be a McPherson ERI member at UW-Madison.

• …be faculty, a permanent principal investigator, or have limited PI status. • …be proposing a project that has not been (and will not be) funded through any other internal or external grant mechanism before the time your AMD/RP Research Award is issued (thereafter, outside grant applications that utilize data obtained with AMD/RP Research Award funds are highly encouraged).

• …plan to use the award within one year of the month that you received it . Funds remaining one year after issuance of the award will be retained by the Institute unless a one-year no cost extension is granted . To apply for an AMD / RP Award you will need to… 1.

Check the appropriate box on the fillable application form to indicate whether you are applying for an AMD or RP award. 2. Complete the fillable application form (which requires a brief lay abstract and budget statement) using single-spaced text, Arial font no smaller than 11 point, and page margins of 0.

5 inches. The form must be signed by the principal investigator. For the budget statement, in a few sentences outline how you will use the funds—up to $50,000—to advance your project over the one-year award period.

Use can include personnel salary, but not tuition remission. Other possible allocations include, but are not limited to, equipment, supplies, reagents, core facility costs, etc. Travel can only be included if critical to conduct the research . Do not include travel to attend meetings or conferences.

3. Complete the provided compliance form , indicating use/non-use of human or animal subjects, human stem cells, and coverage under a biosafety protocol. (This form is included in the application form file.)

4. In a separate document , create the following using single-spaced text, Arial font no smaller than 11 point, and page margins of 0. 5 inches: A.

A brief research proposal in language that a person outside your field could understand , including text and figures (latter not required). Your research proposal must not exceed FOUR pages and should include the following sections: • Significance/Innovation • Research Plan and Methods B. A list of references cited , immediately following the research proposal, beginning on a separate page (no page limit) 5.

Provide your NIH- or NSF-style biosketch. 6. Combine all of your files into a SINGLE PDF FILE in the order listed above.

NOTE: In your abstract and your research proposal, whenever possible use LAY LANGUAGE. Avoid using jargon, acronyms, and technical terms that assume common expertise. The review panel is comprised of researchers from several different scientific fields, including psychology, biology, pathology, veterinary medicine, computer science, biostatistics and medical informatics, engineering, ophthalmology and visual sciences, and many others.

Referencing the research work you describe in your abstract, make it clear and understandable for readers who are not experts in your area, explaining how/why the work is important in a vision-related context. Your ability to make your work accessible and understandable by a general audience is a key factor in the judging process. All materials should be submitted as a single pdf to Dr. Jonathan Lang ( jonathanlang@wisc.

edu ). When submitting, format your email subject line as follows: AMD/RP Award Application: [your last name], [your first name]