National Glaucoma Research Program: Standard Awards Grant

The National Glaucoma Research Program, funded by BrightFocus Foundation, aims to support groundbreaking research in glaucoma. Established in 1978, the program has awarded over $35 million to 32 projects focusing on understanding and treating this disease. The Standard Awards provide $150,000 over two years for researchers with preliminary data to further their work. Eligible institutions must be non-profit and demonstrate their tax-exempt status to receive funding, fostering innovative solutions for glaucoma treatment.

BrightFocus provides research funds for U.S. and international researchers pursuing pioneering research leading to greater understanding, prevention, and treatment of glaucoma.
Program History
Since the National Glaucoma Research (NGR) program began in 1978, BrightFocus has awarded more than $35 million to support research projects on the causes and potential prevention and treatment of this disease. NGR is currently supporting 32 biomedical research projects.
Research We Have Funded
A new mechanism controlling the drainage of eye fluid.A new way to protect nerve cells in the eyes.Stimulation of the retina to re-grow axons that allow eye cells to make connections to the brain, allowing for the recovery of vision.An improved gene delivery method to lower eye pressure.Cell replacement therapy for glaucoma.
The standard award provides significant funding for researchers who have already generated some amount of preliminary data, but are often required to demonstrate additional, significant progress before they can apply to governmental or industrial funding agencies.

Eligibility

BrightFocus will fund grants for research at non-profit organizations or institutions only. Each Grantee Institution must submit evidence of its tax-exempt status to BrightFocus prior to the distribution of any Grant including but not limited to, a tax determination from the Internal Revenue Service.For foreign institutions: Each Grantee Institution must submit evidence of its tax-exempt status to BrightFocus prior to the distribution of any Grant, including but not limited to, a determination of tax-exempt or nonprofit status from their home country of origin.All Grants must be used exclusively for research and research equipment not for overhead, capital expenditures, administrative costs or other peripheral costs, except where BrightFocus, in its discretion, may make an exception for costs associated with the publication of the results of the BrightFocus sponsored research in academic journals, or for costs associated with participation in academic conferences.The BrightFocus Grant may pay for all or a portion of the salary of the Principal Investigator provided the salary request is justified in the Grant application and is in accordance with rules specified in the application guidelines.
Specific eligibility criteria include:
Candidates must hold an MD, PhD, DVM, DO, OD or equivalent degreeApplicant must serve as the Principal Investigator on the project and have independent laboratory space.The applicant should use the indicated space on the application forms to clarify any position that is not immediately recognizable as an independent research position.While some of the grant can be used to support salary for the PI, the percent requested should be limited to the lesser of 25% of the total grant request, or 25% of the individual’s salary. Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI)salaries are capped at the lesser of 15% of the total grant request, or 15% of the individual’s salary.Applicants may currently be working in a non-profit, governmental, academic research institution, or at a for-profit including start-up and biotech institution

Ineligibility

Investigators with a current award, or who are part of a laboratory with a current award, are ineligible for concurrent awards of the same type. Put another way, at any time, a lab may have AT MOST only 1 active award from each program: NGR Fellowship, and NGR standard award. This rule only covers laboratories of the Principal Investigator or Co-Principal Investigator(s), it does not imply any restriction on collaborators or consultantsInvestigators who will not possess independent research programs by the start of the award.BrightFocus currently does not have any award program to support pre-doctoral fellowships or undergraduate students. Faculty members may request support for these students as budget items under BrightFocus’ other award programs.New proposals initiated by investigators who have received prior awards from BrightFocus, but who have failed to submit necessary reporting may be declined without review.