This research grant program is restricted to new and early investigators who have obtained their MD, PhD, or equivalent degree and/or completed formal medical training/residency within the past 12 years at the time of application. The applicant must serve as the principal investigator on the project, have institutional permission to manage the award, and the key personnel associated with the proposal.
1. 🎯 Direct Relevance to Target Diseases
BrightFocus funds projects focused on:
Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias
Age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
Glaucoma and optic nerve degeneration
✅ Predictor: The project must directly contribute to understanding, preventing, or treating these conditions.
2. 👩🔬 Support for Early-Career Investigators
Many programs are aimed at postdocs, junior faculty, and new investigators
Strong mentorship and career development plans improve success chances
✅ Predictor: Applicants are early-career researchers with strong mentors and institutional support.
3. 🧪 Novel, High-Risk/High-Reward Research
BrightFocus values innovative, cutting-edge approaches
Projects should generate preliminary data leading to NIH or larger foundation funding
✅ Predictor: The proposal is innovative but feasible within a 1–2 year timeframe.
4. 📚 Alignment with BrightFocus Mission
Proposals must aim to understand mechanisms, identify biomarkers, or develop treatments
Translational potential is highly valued
✅ Predictor: The application clearly connects to improving patient outcomes.
5. 📈 Potential for Impact and Career Advancement
Funded projects often lead to:
Publications in high-impact journals
Follow-on NIH or international grants
✅ Predictor: The applicant shows strong potential for significant contributions to the field.
Program | Amount | Audience | Purpose |
---|---|---|---|
Alzheimer’s Disease Research Grants | $100k–$300k | Postdocs, junior faculty | Basic or translational AD research |
National Glaucoma Research Grants | $100k–$200k | Researchers | Mechanisms, biomarkers, treatments for glaucoma |
Macular Degeneration Research Grants | $100k–$300k | Investigators | Research to prevent or treat AMD |
📌 Tips for Strong Applications
✅ Provide clear hypotheses and innovative methods
✅ Include letters of mentorship and institutional support (if early-career)
✅ Show how results will lead to future NIH or foundation grants
✅ Emphasize translational relevance to patient care
Specific eligibility criteria include:
• Candidates must hold an MD, PhD, DVM, DO, OD or equivalent degree and be within 12 years of conferral
• Applicant must serve as the Principal Investigator on the project and have dedicated laboratory space. The applicant should use the indicated space on the application forms to clarify any position that is not immediately recognizable as an independent research position
• While some of the grant can be used to support salary for the PI, the percent requested should be limited to the lesser of 35% of the yearly grant request, or 35% of the individual’s salary. Co-Principal Investigator (Co-PI) salaries are capped at the lesser of 25% of the yearly grant request, or 25% of the individual’s salary.
• Applicants may currently be working in a non-profit, governmental, academic research institution, or at a for-profit including start-up and biotech institution
Sponsor Institute/Organizations: BrightFocus Foundation
Sponsor Type: Corporate/Non-Profit
Address: 22512 Gateway Center Drive Clarksburg, MD 20871
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Sep 29, 2025
$300,000
Affiliation: BrightFocus Foundation
Address: 22512 Gateway Center Drive Clarksburg, MD 20871
Disclaimer:It is mandatory that all applicants carry workplace liability insurance, e.g., https://www.protrip-world-liability.com (Erasmus students use this package and typically costs around 5 € per month - please check) in addition to health insurance when you join any of the onsite Trialect partnered fellowships.