The RPB Physician-Scientist Award Grant

The RPB Physician-Scientist Award offers $300,000 for research in vision science, with a focus on retinal diseases and myopia. Awardees must be full-time faculty and commit significant time to research and clinical activities. The funding aims to advance understanding and treatment of conditions like diabetic retinopathy. Applications must be submitted through an eligible nominator and adhere to specific eligibility criteria. Innovative proposals addressing research gaps are encouraged, ensuring impactful advancements in eye health.

NOTE: If the deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, please consider the deadline to be the following business day. Nomination forms are due by the 'pre-proposal' deadline above. Applications received without a prior nomination form will not be accepted.
RPB Physician-Scientist Awards promote the clinical and/or basic science research of clinicians. The award, $300,000, is payable in two (2) payments, $150,000 per payment upon approval of a 14-month substantive progress report. Awards will be given in three (3) categories. RPB is partnering with Mary Tyler Moore Vision Initiative to co-fund one (1) award.
The RPB / Mary Tyler Moore Vision Initiative Physician-Scientist Award* will focus on cutting-edge retinal research to expand relevant knowledge and to develop methods to preserve and restore visual function in diabetic retinopathy, diabetic macular edema, and diabetic retinal neurodegeneration [collectively Diabetic Retinal Disease (DRD)]. Relevant areas include but are not limited to research related to DRD clinical endpoints and biomarkers, assessments of visual function and patient quality of life, retinal non-perfusion and vascular integrity, neuroprotection, regeneration, as well as related stem-cell research and gene therapy. Innovative proposals that address gaps in research, or address restoration of vision in advanced DRD are encouraged and prioritized.
The RPB Physician-Scientist Award in Myopia Research will focus on research that seeks to provide a better understanding of the development of myopia and/or how it can be prevented or decelerated. The number of people affected by myopia is now increasing around the world and is projected to affect 50% of the world population by 2050.
The RPB Physician-Scientist Award will not have a specific scientific focus and is open to any topic within vision research.
Awardees will be required to expend the award within three (3) years if granted the full $300,000. Otherwise, the awardee is required to expend the initial $150,000 award within two (2) years.
All RPB grants must remain free of institutional overhead and indirect costs. The Physician-Scientist Award is not transferable to other individuals or other institutions. Should the awardee leave the department of ophthalmology, the department must return any unspent funds. Any equipment purchased with RPB funds is the property of the Department of Ophthalmology.

Eligibility

PB-supported Chairs may nominate three candidates per department – one candidate for each award category listed above.
Candidates must hold a primary academic position as Assistant Professor or Associate Professor (MD or MD/PhD).
Candidates must be full-time faculty in their primary appointment department by the application deadline.
Candidates are required to devote at least 25% of their time to research and at least 20% of their time to clinical activity.
Any previous RPB individual grants to the candidate must be fully spent and recognized as terminated by RPB before an individual researcher may apply for another RPB grant. This only applies to the candidate and not to the mentors and/or collaborators.

Ineligibility

Interim or acting Chairs cannot nominate a candidate for this award.
Previous recipients of this grant are ineligible.
Ophthalmology Chairs are not eligible for this award.