This page offers descriptions of the grants The American Macular Degeneration Foundation awards annually to support foundational and cutting edge macular degeneration research.
Please note that grant amounts vary depending on proposed scope of work/ project duration, as well as the availability of funding resources.
AMDF Breakthrough Award
Intended to advance a previously unfunded investigation that represents a potential breakthrough discovery toward a treatment or cure for AMD. Areas of research include, but are not limited to: disease pathway interventions (gene or stem cell therapies, pharmaceutical or nutritional treatments, lifestyle modifications, etc.); vision restoration (retinal prosthesis development, gene or stem cell therapies); early detection/diagnostic tool development.
AMDF Prevention Award
Supports research focused on reducing the risk of developing AMD and on slowing the progression of the disease. Areas of research include, but are not limited to: identifying new, modifiable risk factors; identifying new AMD biomarkers for early detection; nutritional interventions; and the interaction between genes and modifiable lifestyle choices.
AMDF Thrive Award
For studies that will improve the quality of life for those living with or affected by AMD. Areas of research include, but are not limited to: the development of assistive technology; self-monitoring tools; quality-of-life assessment tools/solutions; new approaches to low vision rehabilitation training; new approaches to supporting patient-caregiver relationships; whole life approaches to living with AMD vision loss and other co-morbidities.
AMDF Young Investigator Leadership Award
The AMDF Young Investigator Leadership Award is available to research assistants, post-doctoral fellows, residents and clinical fellows whose work focuses on macular degeneration. Uses of funding include, but are not limited to: the purchase of specialized ophthalmic devices, lab equipment, scientific texts, educational materials, digital devices, and to cover the costs of attending vision research conferences
The first of these awards given in a calendar year will be named the annual Palmina Gioioso Memorial / AMDF Young Investigator Leadership Award, established by the Gioioso family to honor her lifelong commitment to the well-being of others.
Partnership Grants
Partnership grants leverage AMDF’s resources, essentially creating a matching fund for each partner. They make grant amounts more meaningful, and make more grants possible.
AMDF / RPB Catalyst Award
In a co-funding partnership with Research to Prevent Blindness, Inc., the Catalyst Awards support high-risk/high-gain, novel approaches to improve understanding of AMD and/or to develop novel treatments for either the dry or wet forms of the disease.
AMDF / Fight for Sight Award
In partnership with Fight for Sight, these grants provide seed money for young AMD researchers to maintain momentum as they launch their careers. Summer Student Fellowships (SSF) are awarded to undergraduates, graduate and medical students interested in pursuing eye-related clinical or basic research. For most students, this is their first exposure to eye or vision research, and the experience has helped influence many students to choose academic ophthalmology or eye and vision research as a full-time career. Post-Doctoral Awards (Post-Doc) support individuals with a doctorate (PhD, MD, DrPH, OD or DVM) who are interested in academic careers in basic or clinical research in ophthalmology, vision or related sciences. Awardees typically spend a year of more engaged in vision and eye research under the supervision of a senior scientist/clinician mentor.
AMDF / ARVO Travel Grants
For young researchers to attend the Annual Meeting of the Association of Researchers in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO), these grants cover travel expenses, allowing the recipients to present their own findings, learn about cutting-edge AMD research, and meet potential mentors/collaborators.
For more information on AMDF Research Grants, contact:
Matthew Levine
AMDF Grants, Partnerships, Advocacy
mlevine@macular.org