Research Funding Program
Through the FFB Grants and Awards Program, The Foundation Fighting Blindness funds developing scientists in their training, and both new and experienced researchers in their investigations, in the field of genetic eye research. Funding applications are peer-reviewed by Canadian and non-Canadian scientists who are prominent experts in vision health.
Investigator-Initiated Research
FFB holds an annual open competition for university-based researchers to develop innovative research proposals and submit applications for funding. Approval and funding of research proposals are based on peer-review guidelines. Projects eligible for funding include operating grants, salary awards, training awards, and equipment grants. The grant submission deadline is in February. Funding is normally announced in June and begins in July of the following year. Open competition funding grants and awards include:
Operating Grants –These grants are awarded to support research projects directed towards a defined objective, conducted by an investigator, alone or in collaboration with others. These grants may be used to employ trainees, to purchase supplies and equipment, and to pay for essential services.
W.K. Stell Award – This starter grant, which is equivalent to Scholar awards from some other funding agencies, is awarded to a young investigator for a period of up to five years. It is named for FFB’s former Scientific Advisory Board Chair and current Director of FFB Research Programs.
Postdoctoral Fellowships – Postdoctoral Fellowships support postdoctoral training of young scientists who have recently completed an M.D., Ph.D., or equivalent degree. They help to create a continuing supply of outstanding retinal research scientists, so that Canada’s leading universities and health care centres can continue to boast world-class vision health research.
Graduate Student Scholarships – Graduate Student Scholarships have been created to increase the number of Canadian graduate students entering careers in retina-related research. These traineeships support highly qualified students enrolled in graduate programs leading to advanced research degrees such as the Ph.D. They support the preparation of scientists for further training in the field of retinal research through programs such as the FFB Postdoctoral Fellowships.
Named Grants
Named Grants recognize the generous funding provided by private donors, corporations and funding agencies towards specific Investigator-Initiated Research projects.
Strategic Research Partnerships
The FFB identifies research challenges that are particularly timely and relevant. It then seeks partners such as other funding agencies, corporations, and private donors to address these challenges through a strategic research initiative. When funding has been secured, requests for proposals (RFPs) are circulated within the scientific research community. Research proposals submitted in response to these RFPs are peer-reviewed by the Scientific Advisory Board, on the bases of relevance and scientific excellence, and funded after approval by the Board of Directors. Progress may be reviewed on an ad hoc basis in the first year, and within the regular funding cycle during subsequent years.