Thank you for your interest in applying for a Fight for Sight grant. To date more than 3,000 men and women have received more than $20 million in support for the eye—related research.

Our Grant Making-Philosophy

Fight for Sight was the first organization founded for the primary purpose of promoting vision-related research. The goal of Fight for Sight’s Individual Grants Program is to provide support for young researchers investigating the causes, cures and treatments for blinding eye diseases.

By awarding grants to young investigators, Fight for Sight advances the development of research skills and encourages talented investigators to consider careers in academic ophthalmology or vision science.

Our focus is on providing assistance at the beginning of a career, which we believe pays the greatest dividends; these awards provide seed money and credibility for pilot projects. A significant percentage of our grant recipients use the data collected during their Fight for Sight year as the basis for future grant applications.

Fight for Sight alumni occupy top positions in vision-related research and ophthalmology. We take great pride in the accomplishments of our grant recipients: one important component in the grant selection process is the level of interest by the candidate in pursuing or continuing a career in academic ophthalmology or vision science.

Additional elements considered by our reviewers include the scientific merit of the research project. A highly scored application is one which is well-conceived and well-described and will increase our knowledge about eye disease or vision disorders. The environment in which the study will take place, including the faculty and facilities, as well as the institution’s overall commitment to supporting young researchers, is also considered.

Finally, because our contributors come from families and individuals affected by eye disease or vision disorders, consideration is given to the clinical relevance of the research project. All eye-related research proposals will be accepted, however those that offer the potential to contribute to our understanding of common eye diseases and vision disorders are especially welcome. This year, specific funds have been set aside to support research projects in the following areas:

• Retinitis pigmentosa and hereditary eye diseases
• Age-related macular degeneration
• Glaucoma
• Cataract and corneal disease
• Neuro-ophthalmology
• Children’s vision disorders


Eligibility

All Fight for Sight-supported research must be conducted in the United States and Canada. There are no citizenship requirements for these awards.

Grants-In-Aid
Grants-in-Aid are offered to junior faculty with limited or no external funding to be used to launch pilot studies. These awards support new and untested hypotheses and should be used to defray costs of ancillary personnel, equipment and supplies. Grants up to $20,000 are awarded for a one-year period, commencing July 1. Research support is rarely extended to a second year, and travel costs are generally not supported.
** NEW FOR 2007 - In the past, senior investigators with external sources of funding were invited to submit applications to fund innovative or novel pilot projects. This funding is no longer available.

Postdoctoral Fellowship
Postdoctoral Fellowships support individuals with the potential to become independent eye researchers or academic ophthalmologists. Candidates must be within three years of their doctorate degree, or within three years of the completion of their residency training. For applicants who have not yet received their degree, a letter must accompany the application indicating that the doctorate will be awarded before the commencement of the fellowship. Clinical Fellows must have adequate time and resources available to complete the research project.
** NEW FOR 2007 – The $20,000 award can be used as a stipend or to offset research expenses. In cases where the award is used for supplies and equipment, the fellow’s salary may not be paid from another granting agency.

Summer Student Fellowships
Awards of $2,100 are offered to currently enrolled undergraduates, medical students or graduate students who wish to explore ophthalmology or eye research as a career. Students are expected to complete a short, independent project during the summer months under the guidance of a senior scientist or clinician. The goal of this award is advance the skills needed to initiate and carry out research in a scientific environment. Lab employees are not eligible for this fellowship.



Revised January 2007