Deadline: 30-Oct-2025
The National Glaucoma Research program, an initiative of the BrightFocus Foundation, offers research funding to both U.S. and international researchers who are exploring groundbreaking work aimed at better understanding, preventing, and treating glaucoma. The program is open to scientists across the globe and is particularly supportive of applicants from underrepresented groups in glaucoma research, in order to promote diversity and innovation.
BrightFocus Foundation aims to fund high-risk, high-reward studies in areas where little is currently known. These include glaucoma, Alzheimer’s disease, and macular degeneration. The organization is committed to helping people live free from diseases affecting the mind and sight by supporting research that could lead to new discoveries and solutions.
The research award provides $75,000 per year for a total of $150,000 over a two-year period. The funding covers personnel costs such as salaries and benefits for principal investigators, postdoctoral fellows, and technicians. It also includes non-personnel costs like research supplies, necessary equipment (not large capital items), and contractual services such as lab testing or materials preparation. Travel costs related to the research or presenting results at conferences are also allowed, provided they are justified and not for luxury travel. Additional expenses, such as publication or registration fees for academic conferences, can be itemized under the “Other” category.
Applicants must have an MD, PhD, DVM, DO, OD, or an equivalent degree and should be able to lead an independent research project with access to their own laboratory space. Postdoctoral fellows can participate as Co-Principal Investigators. Applicants may be employed in non-profit organizations, academic or government research institutions, or for-profit companies, including startups. Salary support for the PI is capped at 25% of either their salary or the total grant amount, whichever is less, while Co-PI salary support is capped at 15%.
Applications must be submitted through the designated portal and should follow specific formatting rules. Text must be in black, at least 11-point font, with margins of no less than 3/4 inch. Content must be written clearly in English, avoiding jargon and obscure abbreviations. Word, character, or page limits will be strictly enforced, and figure or table legends must be included within these limits.
For more information, visit BrightFocus Foundation.
