RPB CHALLENGE GRANT

RPB Challenge Grants encourage growth for newly emerging eye research programs and recently appointed department chairs at non-grantee ophthalmology departments at university-connected medical schools. The Challenge Grant is designed to enhance a department's environment and capability to conduct vision research, to facilitate collaborative studies of the visual system, and to attract researchers to the department.  The Challenge Grant is intended for ophthalmology departments which have not received RPB departmental support (Unrestricted or Challenge) in the last four (4) years.  An existing base of high-quality National Eye Institute (NEI) or vision-related research grants is a primary requirement.  The department must be in an upward trajectory and strong faculty/professional development programs must be in place.  A commitment by the medical school to match the RPB Challenge Grant is required.  Payments of these unrestricted $300,000 grants can continue for up to four (4) years upon approval of a two-year substantive progress report. After four (4) years, chairs will then be invited to apply for an Unrestricted Grant. Should the chair step down during the four-year Challenge Grant, RPB may provide one additional payment before the grant is terminated.  Department chairs receiving an Unrestricted Grant and individual members of their faculties are not eligible to apply for this grant.

New chairs should speak with RPB prior to the submission of a Challenge Grant application (contact MariaClaudia Lora-Montano).  We suggest new chairs be active at least six months prior to submitting an application.  If a proposal for a Challenge Grant is rejected, the chair must wait two years before reapplying, so RPB strongly encourages thorough preparation and planning before an application is submitted.

The spring cycle application deadline for the RPB Challenge Grant is January 10. The fall cycle application deadline is July 1. (If the application deadline falls on a weekend or holiday, please consider the deadline to be the following business day.)  The application forms for this award are not available online.  Contact MariaClaudia Lora-Montano to obtain the Challenge Grant application forms.

RPB Challenge Grant Guidelines / Instructions