Pilot Study Grant Award (Retina Research Foundation)

Pilot Study Grant Award (Retina Research Foundation) is sponsored by Retina Research Foundation. Supports groundbreaking research in retinal diseases, including macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and inherited vision disorders.

Grant Application | Retina Research Foundation Reducing Retinal Blindness Worldwide Retina Research Foundation Remembering Our Founder and President Retina Research Foundation Mission Statement Collaborating Organizations – Worldwide Network Annual Report and Newsletters Ching-Kang Jason Chen, PhD Eleftherios Paschalis Ilios, PhD Erika Tatiana Camacho, PhD Grant Guidelines and Information Overview of Research 2026 History of Major Award Recipients RRF Cox Macula Research Project RRF Award of Merit in Retina Research RRF Kayser International Award C L Schepens, MD/AAO Award Pan-American: Paul Kayser/RRF Global Award RRF Alice R.

McPherson Chair at University of Wisconsin Humble Distinguished Directorship Alice R. McPherson RRF Research Chair at Baylor College of Medicine M. D.

Matthews Professorship International Fellowships RRF Helmerich International Fellowships AAO Educational Trust Fund RRF Lawrence Travel Scholarships Important Research in Progress Thank You for Your Donation! RRF is currently welcoming pilot study grant applications for the Grant Period: January 1 st 2027 – December 31 st , 2027 DEADLINE : TUESDAY, AUGUST 18, 2026, 5 pm .

Each grant application must be signed by the principal investigator and either their Department Chair or Dean of Research. Email application files to the RRF office ( rrf@retinaresearchfnd.

org ): Include in the email subject line: NEW [or RENEWAL] SUBMISSION – [LAST NAME] Files to attach to the email: 1) 2027 Grant application with 11 components described below 2) 2027 Grant Summary in Layman’s Terms: NEW Proposals 2027-Lay-summary-NEW-TEMPLATE or RENEWAL Proposals 2027-RRF-Lay-summary-RENEWAL TEMPLATE 3) 2027 Grant Budget 2027-RRF-Grant-Budget-TEMPLATE 4) Renewal applicants: include the progress report either in context of your proposal or as a separate .

pdf. NOTIFICATION OF GRANT AWARDS: Grant award and funding decisions will be communicated by mid-January 2027. 2027 GRANT APPLICATION REQUIRED COMPONENTS: I.

COVER PAGE (one page): Title of research project: Location (institution & department) where research is conducted: Address, phone number, and e-mail of investigator(s): Name, address, phone number of official to be notified if award is made: Grant period (calendar year 2027) Signatures of Principal Investigator and of Department Chair or Dean of Research NOTE: Bibliography, data and figures do not count towards the word limit. II.

SCIENTIFIC SUMMARY – Write a summary in layman’s terms, with emphasis on the information your project seeks and how this information will contribute to the prevention, treatment or cure of retinal disease. (500 word limit) III. PURPOSE OF PROJECT – Prepare a concise statement of the purpose and specific aims of your project.

(300 word limit) IV. TYPE OF PROJECT – Indicate the type of research you will conduct: basic research, translational research, clinical research or a combination of any types. V.

METHODOLOGY OF PROJECT – Summarize the methodology to be used in the project. (1000 word limit) VI. RESULTS PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED – Include results previously published by the investigators or others that relate to this project.

(1000 word limit) Personnel and Salaries – list percentage of time to be spent on project Equipment – include a description of each item with make, model and price (See Special Notes) Total amount of grant support requested List any other grant support related to this project List other grant support available to principal investigator not related to project.

RRF does not allow indirect expenses in a grant budget, overhead, travel expenses, publication costs or book purchases. It is RRF policy not to fund the salary of the principal investigator(s). In addition to the above elements, a separate, single page budget summary is required to complete your submission.

2027-RRF-Grant-Budget-TEMPLATE A. Attach a separate page which describes each piece of equipment being requested and include (a) a brief summary in layman’s terms of the purpose of each piece of equipment; and (b) the make and model of each piece of equipment with a descriptive brochure. B.

Equipment purchased with funding from RRF is not to be transferred or shared with other facilities or scientists without previous permission from RRF. Funds available from other grants may not be commingled with RRF funding in the purchase of major equipment. C.

Complete control of all aspects of the budget, including any changes in category, will be at the discretion of RRF. Changes in the budget are discouraged. Any changes to the budget must be requested in writing from the President of the RRF, in detail.

WRITTEN APPROVAL BY the President of the RRF IS NECESSARY PRIOR TO THE CHANGE and the appropriate official at the institution will be notified if any change is approved. D. It is the policy of RRF to not fund the same individual on two projects at the same time.

If at any time during the term of the approved pilot study grant (calendar year), the grantee is awarded an RRF Chair or RRF Professorship, the pilot study award will be terminated effective on that date and any further funds previously granted will be cancelled. IX. PROJECT PAYMENTS – RRF operates on a calendar year basis and research projects payments are funded twice a year, in January and June.

Provide the name and address of the official and department at your institution to receive the payment . See Section VIII. D.

above for special situations. X. RESEARCH UTILIZATION ASPECTS – In this section, describe the clinical applications you foresee as a result of this project.

XI. CURRICULUM VITAE –This section should include the curriculum vitae of the principal investigator and co-investigators, along with the bibliographies and a photograph of the principal investigator. The curriculum vitae should not exceed 50 pages in length and does not need to include abstracts or meeting presentations more than three years old.

If re-applying an updated copy of the curriculum vitae is required. Photographs in your work setting are preferred, but any photograph is acceptable. ADDITIONAL APPLICATION REPORTING REQUIREMENTS FOR RENEWAL GRANT RECIPIENTS: Grant recipients must re-apply for continued funding on a yearly basis, and funding will be based upon providing documentation of progress that will be reviewed as part of the renewal application.

PROJECT SUMMARY AND PHOTOGRAPHS – A brief layman’s summary of the project’s purpose, progress during the prior grant award period, and plans for the next year’s grant request should be provided with the renewal application. This information will be used by RRF for the website, annual report, newsletter, and other communications with the public throughout the year.

Photographs (head shots, scientific type photos, and laboratory photos) should be provided annually for RRF communications and media. PROGRESS REPORT – Progress reports are to be submitted to RRF annually and should summarize the project’s activities over the grant period. Project findings to date, even if tentative, should be reported.

Tables and exhibits may be added as needed. A report covering the first year of a project may have less data and analysis than later reports due to delays inherent in starting any project. However, the cause of these delays must be explained, whether because of staff, equipment or facilities.

RRF review of the first year’s progress report will take these factors into consideration. Any changes in purpose of methodology of the project should be fully explained in this section. Of primary importance is the degree to which the project has fulfilled its stated purpose.

The report should be clear and specific; indicating how the purpose has been carried out during the grant period and what progress has been made. PLANS FOR THE NEXT PERIOD – This should be a brief statement. Future plans should be differentiated from and not reported as a part of the summary of the past year’s activities.

REPORT OF ACTUAL EXPENDITURES – A report of the actual expenditures of the project is due in the offices of the RRF no later than April 30th following the conclusion of the grant year. FUND BALANCES – if funds remain, a statement reflecting unspent funds in each budget category is due at the end of the grant period and included in any no-cost-extension request.

If a no-cost-extension is not requested, remaining funds are to be refunded back to RRF. NO-COST-EXTENSIONS (NCE) – All requests for no-cost extension in category must be specifically approved in writing by the Foundation PRIOR to the end of the grant period. If a no-cost extension is granted and the project grant renewed for the following grant cycle, funds may be utilized by category during the subsequently funded grant period.

Failure to comply with this provision is not acceptable . REPRINTS – Three (3) copies of reprints of scientific papers, presented as a direct result of research work funded by RRF, are to be submitted to RRF as soon as possible after publication. Email notification of publication with attachment .

pdf(s) is also acceptable. PRESS RELATIONS – When you have contact with the press concerning any part of your project funded by the Foundation, please notify us and/or include copies of news releases in the progress report. The mission of the Retina Research Foundation is to reduce retinal blindness worldwide by funding programs in research and education.

As a public charity, RRF raises funds from the private sector and the investment of its endowment funds. Retina Research Foundation RETINA RESEARCH FOUNDATION 3555 Timmons Lane, Suite 810