Through partnerships and collaborations with organizations in the vision research field, RPB leverages its resources, accelerates the development of treatments for eye diseases, and extends its capacity to fulfill its mission to prevent blindness and restore sight. As a catalyst for eye research, RPB also convenes major supporters of vision research in an effort to create a network for the further development of partnerships throughout the vision research community.

We have all been pulling in the same direction, but there is an opportunity for us to pull together more strategically and effectively.

Brian F. Hofland, PhD
RPB President

Alliance for Eye and Vision Research (AEVR)

AEVR's mission is to ensure the best eye and vision care for all Americans through education of congressional legislators, government policymakers, coalition partners, the media and consumers about the value of eye and vision research. It seeks to raise public awareness of eye disorders and advocates for the support of national eye research funding, particularly for the National Eye Institute (which RPB helped found in 1968). RPB's $50,000 grant is intended to support AEVR's programs including Congressional briefings, educational brochures and national attitudinal surveys.

The Association of University Professors in Ophthalmology (AUPO)

RPB maintains a decades-long partnership with AUPO, an organization that RPB helped found in 1967 and a key ally in RPB's commitment to enrich the development of the Chairs, Directors of Research, and other leaders from departments of ophthalmology in whom RPB invests through its Unrestricted Grant Program. RPB's annual $125,000 grant to AUPO provides support for AUPO's research and training programs. In 2016, RPB and AUPO jointly announced the creation of the RPB David F. Weeks Award for Outstanding AMD Research, established through RPB, AUPO, and a private donor. Learn more here. 

The Heed Ophthalmic Foundation

RPB's $34,000 two-year grant supports increased participation in the Heed Ophthalmic Foundation Residents Retreat, a professional development experience for talented ophthalmology residents, designed to encourage pursuing a career in academic ophthalmology.

American Macular Degeneration Foundation

The American Macular Degeneration Foundation partners with RPB to offer the RPB/AMDF Catalyst Awards for Innovative Research Approaches for Age-Related Macular Degeneration to provide funds to researchers who are working on novel approaches to understanding or treating AMD.

Free Family Foundation

Building on a legacy of generosity, the Free Family Foundation partners with RPB to offer the RPB/Dr. H. James and Carole Free Catalyst Awards for Innovative Research Approaches for Age-Related Macular Degeneration to provide funds to researchers who are working on novel approaches to understanding or treating AMD.

The International Retinal Research Foundation (IRRF)

In 2014, the RPB/International Retinal Research Foundation Catalyst Awards for Stem Cell Research Approaches for Age-Related Macular Degeneration ("Catalyst Awards") were launched. The awards were made possible by a donation from an anonymous donor, which was matched by the IRRF and by a bequest from the Sybil B. Harrington estate, making possible three grants at $250,000 each over four years. Beginning in 2017, RPB and IRRF again partnered to launch the RPB/IRRF Catalyst Award for Innovative Research Approaches for Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD), which provides funds to researchers who are working on novel approaches to AMD.  

 
Lions Clubs international Foundation (LCIF)

As part of an initiative to meet unmet needs for those with low vision, RPB established a two-tiered Low Vision Research Award.  The second tier, in partnership with LCIF, is the RPB/LCIF Low Vision Research Award. This grant focuses on visual system damage and on brain plasticity. Learn more here.
 

Mary Tyler MoorE Vision Initiative

The Mary Tyler Moore Vision Initiative partners with RPB to offer the RPB / Mary Tyler Moore Vision Initiative Physician-Scientist Award to fund cutting-edge retinal research to expand relevant knowledge and to develop methods to preserve and restore visual function in Diabetic Retinal Disease.

Walt and Lilly Disney Foundation

The Walt and Lilly Disney Foundation partners with RPB to offer the RPB Walt and Lilly Disney Award for Amblyopia Research to strengthen and promote research to improve the diagnosis and/or treatment of amblyopia.