Career Development Program (CDA) Grant

The Career Development Program (CDA) aims to support junior clinical research scientists dedicated to curing retinal degenerative diseases. It offers funding of $75,000 per year for up to five years to facilitate research advancements and innovative treatment strategies. Eligible applicants include clinician-scientists in their early faculty years, regardless of citizenship. The program encourages diversity by welcoming individuals from underrepresented groups, though gene-specific therapies are excluded from funding.

CDA’s goal is to help advance junior clinical research scientists in their professional endeavors to cure retinal degenerative disease by: (1) facilitating advances in laboratory and clinical research; (2) elucidating the mechanism for the cause and pathogenesis of retinal degenerative diseases; (3) developing innovative strategies to prevent, treat and cure these diseases. This program supports up to five junior-level faculty for five (5) years at $75,000/year.

Eligibility

Clinician-scientists possessing an M.D., D.O., O.D., or recognized equivalent foreign degree and who are in their first, second, or third year of a junior faculty appointment, and are committed to solving the mysteries of inherited retinal diseases are encouraged to apply for a CDA. Applicants do not have to be U.S. citizens. Application is not limited to the U.S. or U.S. citizens.Applicants who are not U.S. citizens and reside and work outside the U.S. may apply.

Ineligibility

Gene-specific therapies are not eligible for funding support.