Institutional Grants

Unrestricted Grants

RPB Unrestricted Grants provide maximum flexibility in developing and expanding eye research programs. These annual $115,000 grants provide opportunities for creative planning that go beyond the scope of restricted project grants which 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.

Funds automatically renew for five (5) years unless the ophthalmology chair steps down or RPB requires the department to re-apply earlier. Advance notice will be given if the grant is to be terminated. Should the chair leave the department, the grant will continue for one additional year before it is terminated. An acting or interim chair cannot re-apply for continued support.

The spring cycle application deadline for the RPB Unrestricted Grant is January 10. The fall cycle application deadline is July 1. (If January 10 or July 1 falls on a weekend or a holiday, consider the following business day the deadline.)

Download the Unrestricted/Challenge Grant guidelines 

Challenge Grants

RPB Challenge Grants encourage growth for newly emerging eye research programs and recently appointed department chairs at non-grantee ophthalmology departments at university-connected medical schools. These unrestricted $300,000 grants can continue for up to four (4) years upon approval of a two-year substantive progress report. After four (4) years, chairs will then be invited to apply for an Unrestricted Grant. In all other aspects, the conditions for the Challenge Grants are similar to those for Unrestricted Grants. Department heads receiving an Unrestricted Grant and individual members of their faculties are not eligible to apply for this grant.

The spring cycle application deadline for the RPB Challenge Grant is January 10. The fall cycle application deadline is July 1. (If January 10 or July 1 falls on a weekend or a holiday, consider the following business day the deadline.)

Download the Unrestricted/Challenge Grant guidelines