RPB Stein Innovation Award

The RPB Stein Innovation Awards are designed to catalyze innovative, high-risk/high-gain vision science research that challenges conventional boundaries. Offered by Research to Prevent Blindness (RPB), the program supports investigators who seek to understand the visual system and the diseases that impair its function. The awards aim to advance cutting-edge and unconventional research that might not otherwise attract traditional funding, especially from federal sources. The awards emphasize creativity, novel thinking, and the initiation of new lines of inquiry rather than extending existing projects. RPB offers two variations of the Stein Innovation Award based on the applicant’s departmental affiliation. For researchers affiliated with a Department of Ophthalmology, applications are due in January. Those whose primary appointments are outside the field of ophthalmology apply for the July deadline. Both groups must be based at U.S. institutions of higher education and hold academic titles from Associate Professor through full Professor. Applicants must be nominated by their department chairs, and each department can receive only one award per cycle, although they may nominate multiple candidates. The standard award amount is $300,000, disbursed in two payments of $150,000 each. The second payment is contingent upon the approval of a substantive progress report submitted 14 months after the initial award. All funds must be spent within three years for the full amount or within two years if only the first payment is disbursed. Importantly, the awards are not meant to serve as venture capital for start-ups and are prohibited from overlapping with existing federally or privately funded research. The proposed work must clearly deviate from typical R01-type projects and demonstrate a distinctive direction from the candidate's previously funded work. For the January cycle, a specialized variation—The RPB Stein Innovation Award in Ocular Genetics—is available. This version supports foundational and translational research in genetic eye diseases, focusing on advancing diagnostic tools and developing mutation-specific treatments. All applicants must commit at least 5% effort to the proposed project, though higher levels of effort are encouraged. The application process is structured and deadline-driven. Nomination forms must be submitted by December 15 for January applications (inside ophthalmology) and June 15 for July applications (outside ophthalmology). Final applications are due by January 10 or July 1, respectively. The process includes submission of a signed application form and a combined PDF containing a biosketch, a scientific statement, a departmental letter of support, a budget and timeline, IRB documentation if applicable, and other required documents. Submissions are made through a secure portal on RPB’s website, and applications must be received in full by the specified deadline to be considered complete. Applications are evaluated based on innovation, the distinctiveness of the proposed research from current efforts, and the overall scientific rationale. Ineligible applicants include current or previous recipients of the award. The grant is non-renewable and non-transferable without RPB’s approval and must be administered without indirect costs. If the research involves human subjects, IRB approval must be secured before disbursement. Progress and financial reporting is mandatory during the grant term, and failure to comply may result in termination. Inquiries about the program and technical details should be directed to MariaClaudia Lora-Montano, Director of Grants Management at [email protected] or 646-892-9564. Additional information and materials, including nomination and application forms, are available on the RPB website.

Ensure your project is distinct from prior work and unfunded by NIH; demonstrate innovation and high-risk/high-gain potential.