Catalyst Award for Innovative Research Approaches for Age-Related Macular Degeneration

The Catalyst Award for Innovative Research Approaches for Age-Related Macular Degeneration is offered by Research to Prevent Blindness, a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing vision research in the United States. The program is designed to support innovative and unconventional scientific approaches that aim to improve the understanding, diagnosis, or treatment of age-related macular degeneration, a leading cause of vision loss. The initiative is co-funded in partnership with the American Macular Degeneration Foundation, the International Retinal Research Foundation, and an additional philanthropic contributor, with the goal of accelerating breakthroughs in both basic and translational research. The primary purpose of this award is to provide seed funding for high-risk, high-reward research projects that demonstrate originality and strong potential impact. The program encourages investigators to pursue novel hypotheses and cutting-edge methodologies that move beyond incremental advancements. Projects may address a wide range of topics including genetics, disease mechanisms, predictive modeling, diagnostic innovations, therapeutic delivery systems, and regenerative or stem cell approaches. At least one award is intended to support translational research that could lead to clinically relevant therapies but has not yet entered clinical trials. Each award provides a total of 300000 dollars over a three-year performance period. Funding is distributed in two installments of 150000 dollars, with the second payment contingent upon successful review of a required mid-term progress report submitted approximately 14 months into the project. Funds must be used within the specified timeframe, and all expenditures must comply with the program’s requirement that no institutional overhead or indirect costs be charged. Allowable uses include direct research expenses such as personnel, equipment, and consumables, while institutions are responsible for financial oversight and reporting. Equipment purchased through the award remains the property of the primary appointment department. Eligibility is limited to full-time faculty members at U.S. institutions of higher education who hold academic appointments ranging from Assistant Professor to full Professor and possess a doctoral degree such as MD, PhD, or equivalent. Candidates must be nominated by their department chair, with each department permitted to nominate only one applicant. Applicants are required to commit at least five percent effort to the proposed research. Prior recipients of this specific award are not eligible. The program is open to a broad range of institutions, provided they are based in the United States and meet the academic and research criteria outlined. The application process involves a mandatory nomination stage followed by submission of a full application. Nomination forms must be submitted by mid-June, and only nominated candidates are permitted to proceed. Full applications are due by early July and must be submitted through a secure online portal in a single upload containing both the completed application form and a comprehensive supporting document. Required materials include a biosketch, institutional endorsement, detailed research proposal, budget, and documentation of any necessary approvals such as institutional review board clearance. Strict formatting and submission requirements must be followed, and incomplete or late submissions are not considered. Applications are evaluated based on several criteria including the novelty and scientific merit of the proposed research, the qualifications and track record of the investigator, and the level of institutional support available. Review committees also consider the feasibility of the project and its potential to advance understanding or treatment of macular degeneration. Successful applicants are notified later in the year, with awards typically issued in December. Recipients must comply with ongoing reporting requirements, including annual summaries, financial reports, bibliographies, and a final report upon project completion. This funding opportunity follows an annual cycle, with recurring deadlines for nomination and application submission. The structured timeline, combined with its emphasis on innovation and translational potential, positions the Catalyst Award as a significant opportunity for researchers seeking to pursue bold and transformative ideas in the field of vision science.

Focus on highly innovative high risk high gain research with clear relevance to AMD; avoid incremental extensions of existing funded work; emphasize translational potential and strong institutional support