RRF is currently welcoming applications for RRF pilot study grants for January 1, 2022 – December 31, 2022. The aim of the RRF pilot study grants is to allow investigators to perform retina research that will provide preliminary data that will allow successful submission for NIH or other major funding. The RRF pilot grants are awarded annually although if satisfactory progress on annual review is noted, grants may be renewed up to 3 times (for 3 years). RRF pilot grant awards are typically $25,000 – $50,000. The number and size of the grant awards varies depending on RRF’s income from donations and investments.

The completed application should convey how the grant will serve to further the purpose of your research project.  All grant applications are due by Tuesday, October 26, 2021.

Grant applications will be reviewed by the Board of Directors and all applicants will be notified of the Board’s decision in mid-January, 2022. Grant reapplications are subject to repeat review on an individual basis each year.

Sincerely,

Alice McPherson, M.D.
President

General Guidelines for Grant Awards

A. The following are eligible to apply for grant awards:

1. Applicants who hold a medical degree (MD) or a doctorate (PhD);
2. Applicants who have a long term (at least 3 years) commitment to a project;
3. Applicants who will conduct research in the United States at a university, medical school or eye institute; applications from for-profit centers or industry-sponsored research centers will not be considered;
4. Applicants who are U. S. citizens or green card/permanent U. S. residents.

B. Topics: retina research ONLY (and excluding retinal ganglion research).

C. Grant budgets should include salaries, equipment and supplies. It is RRF policy not to fund the salary of the principal investigator(s). The following may not be included in budgets: travel expense, expenses related to publication of the research, and indirect costs.

D. Grants must be awarded for one year only.  Applicants must re-apply for continued funding on an annual basis – such reapplications will be considered in the light of progress made in the previous year. The grant awards should attempt to support a project for a three-year grant period. If you have plans for a three year study, you may include that information in an addendum to the application.

E. Budgets are usually limited to $25,000-$50,000 per grant unless supported by another funding source for a higher amount.

For Calendar Year: January 1 – December 31, 2022

COMPLETED GRANT APPLICATION SHOULD BE MAILED OR DELIVERED TO RRF OFFICE IN ORDER TO BE RECEIVED BY DEADLINE OF TUESDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2021. Each grant application must be SIGNED by the principal investigator and either their Department Chair or Dean of Research.

Mail/Delivery Address:

Retina Research Foundation

Dr. Alice McPherson/Grants Committee

1977 Butler Blvd., E4.105

Houston, TX 77030

In addition to delivering the signed original application (hard copy), email these files to the office (rrf@retinaresearchfnd.org):

Subject line of the email: NEW [or RENEWAL] SUBMISSION – [LAST NAME]

Files to attach to this email:

1)       PDF file of your proposal

2)       2022 Grant Summary in Layman’s Terms:

NEW Proposals  2022 Lay Summary NEW TEMPLATE

or RENEWAL Proposals  2022 Lay Summary TEMPLATE

3)       2022 Grant Budget 2022 Grant Budget TEMPLATE

NOTE: Bibliography, data and figures do not count towards the word limit.

NOTIFICATION OF GRANT AWARDS:

Notification of new grant application funding will be made by mid-January 2022.

 

GRANT APPLICATION

PLEASE PROVIDE THE FOLLOWING:

I. COVER PAGE (one page):

A. Title of research project

B. Location (institution & department) where research is conducted

C. Principal investigator

D. Co-investigator(s)

E. Address, phone number, and e-mail of investigator(s)

F. Name, address and phone number of official to be notified if award is made

G. Grant period (calendar year 2022)

H. Total amount requested

I. Signatures of principal investigator and of Department Chair or Dean of Research

II. SCIENTIFIC SUMMARY – A scientific summary written 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 your project:  basic research, translational research, clinical research.

V. METHODOLOGY OF PROJECT – A summary of the methodology to be used in the project. (1000 word limit)

VI. RESULTS PREVIOUSLY PUBLISHED– Summarize results previously published by the investigators or others which relate to this project. (1000 word limit)

VII. PROJECT BUDGET

A. Personnel and Salaries – list percentage of time to be spent on project

B. Equipment – include a description of each item with make, model and price (See Special Notes)

C. Supplies

D. Total amount of grant support requested

E. List additional grant support related to this project

F. List other grant support available to principal investigator not related to project.

G. 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).

VIII. SPECIAL NOTES

A. Attach a separate page which describes each piece of equipment being requested and includes (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 and 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. RESEARCH UTILIZATION ASPECTS – In this section, describe the clinical applications you foresee as a result of this project.

X. 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.

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 3 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.

 

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS FOR GRANT RECIPIENTS:

Grant recipients must re-apply for continued funding on a yearly basis, which will be considered providing progress made is justified in the yearly grant review.

PROJECT SUMMARY AND PHOTOGRAPHS – A brief layman’s summary of the purpose of the project, progress during the prior grant award period, and plans for the next year’s grant request should be provided with the renewal grant 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 the RRF website, annual report, and newsletter.

PROGRESS REPORTS – Progress reports are to be submitted to RRF annually. This section should be of the project’s activities over the grant period. Project findings to date, even if tentative, should be summarized. Tables and exhibits may be added as needed. A report covering the first year of a project may have less content than later reports because of delays inherent in the first year of any project.  However, these delays must be explained, whether because of staff, equipment or facilities. The 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.

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.

REPORT OF ACTUAL EXPENDITURES – A report of the actual expenditures of the project is due in the offices of the Retina Research Foundation no later than April 30th after the expiration of the grant year.  All requests for carryovers in category must be specifically approved in writing by the Foundation.  Failure to comply with this provision is not acceptable.

FUND BALANCES – A statement reflecting unspent funds in each budget category is due at the end of the grant period.

PRESS RELATIONS – When you have contact with the press concerning any part of your project funded by the Foundation, please notify us.