PRPH2 and Associated Retinal Diseases (PARD) Science Award Grant

The Nixon Visions Foundation, in partnership with the Foundation Fighting Blindness, is offering the PRPH2 and Associated Retinal Diseases Science Award to support innovative research aimed at understanding PRPH2 biology in retinal diseases. With funding of up to $500,000 over one to three years, applicants are encouraged to focus on fundamental biology, disease modeling, and therapeutic approaches. This opportunity is open to qualified researchers worldwide, promoting diversity and inclusion in the scientific community.

The Nixon Visions Foundation, in collaboration with the Foundation Fighting Blindness, has committed funding to advance research towards potential treatments for PRPH2-associated retinal diseases. The Foundation Fighting Blindness will make awards for meritorious research proposals that advance our understanding of the biology and pathophysiology of PRPH2 in the retina. The award is up to $500,000, dispersed over one to three years.
The Foundation will make awards for meritorious research proposals thatadvance our understanding of the biology and pathophysiology of PRPH2in the retina. To address gaps in knowledge, proposals that focus on the following topics are strongly encouraged:
Fundamental PRPH2 biology and biochemistry, including, but not limited to:PRPH2 protein-protein interactions The differential role(s) of PRPH2 in rod and cone photoreceptorsDevelopment of high throughput and/or saturation assays to determine the functional consequences of PRPH2 variants on protein structure and/or function and to assign pathogenicity.Generation and characterization of disease models (e.g., large animals) that recapitulate PRPH2-associated human disease, including maculopathies.Studies demonstrating proof-of-concept for therapeutic approaches, particularly mutation-agnostic approaches.Improved understanding of disease heterogeneity, through understanding of genotype-phenotype relationships or identification of genetic and/or environmental modifiers.

Eligibility

Applicants must hold a Ph.D., M.D., D.M.D., D.V.M., D.O., O.D., or equivalent degree.Must hold a faculty position or equivalent at a domestic or foreign: non-profit organization, or public or private institution, such as a university, college, medical school, hospital, research institute, or laboratory. 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

Purchase of capital equipment is generally not supported by the FFB. FFB does not pay any indirect or overhead charges, nor does the Foundation provide support for construction or renovation costs.