BrightFocus Foundation Grant: Funding Opportunities for Alzheimer’s, Macular Degeneration, and Glaucoma Research

The BrightFocus Foundation offers grants to support innovative research aimed at finding cures for Alzheimer’s disease, macular degeneration, and glaucoma. These grants are available to researchers worldwide, including both early-career and established scientists. Below is a simplified guide to help you understand the grant opportunities, eligibility, and application process.

About BrightFocus Foundation Grants

BrightFocus Foundation is a leading nonprofit funding research to defeat Alzheimer’s disease, macular degeneration, and glaucoma. Since 1973, they’ve invested over $300 million in groundbreaking research, supporting over 6,000 scientists in 25 countries. Their grants focus on innovative, high-risk, high-reward projects to advance understanding, prevention, and treatment of these diseases.

Key Research Areas

• Alzheimer’s Disease Research (ADR): Supports studies on the causes, prevention, and treatment of Alzheimer’s disease.
• Macular Degeneration Research (MDR): Funds research to understand and treat age-related macular degeneration.
• National Glaucoma Research (NGR): Focuses on research to prevent, diagnose, and treat glaucoma.

Types of Grants Available

BrightFocus offers two main types of grants under each research program (ADR, MDR, and NGR):

1. Standard Awards

• Purpose: For researchers with preliminary data who need funding to make significant progress before applying for larger grants (e.g., from NIH or industry).
• Funding Amount:
  • Alzheimer’s: Up to $300,000 over 3 years.
  • Macular Degeneration: Up to $450,000 over 3 years.
  • Glaucoma: Up to $200,000 over 2 years.
• Eligibility:
  • Open to researchers at academic, nonprofit, governmental, or for-profit institutions (including startups and biotech).
  • Principal Investigators (PIs) must typically hold an academic rank of Assistant Professor or higher (for NGR Standard Awards).
  • Applicants must be allowed by their institution to apply for and manage grants.

2. Postdoctoral Fellowship Awards

• Purpose: For young researchers in their final stages of mentored training to conduct projects that lay the foundation for an independent research career. For guidlines please Click Here.
• Funding Amount:
  • Alzheimer’s: $200,000 over 2 years.
  • Macular Degeneration: $200,000 over 2 years.
  • Glaucoma: $150,000 over 2 years.
• Eligibility:
  • Open to postdoctoral fellows (junior or senior) within 5 years of degree conferral.
  • Must work in an established laboratory under a mentor.
  • The postdoctoral fellow, not the mentor, should initiate the project proposal.
  • If a fellow becomes an independent investigator during the award, funds may be transferred to the new position (subject to BrightFocus approval).

Who Can Apply?

• U.S. and International Researchers: BrightFocus funds researchers worldwide, with no geographical restrictions.
• Diverse Backgrounds: The foundation encourages applications from underrepresented groups in Alzheimer’s, macular degeneration, or glaucoma research to foster creativity and innovation.
• Institution Requirements: Applicants must be affiliated with a nonprofit, governmental, academic, or for-profit research institution. The institution must be registered with ProposalCentral to apply.

Application Process

All applications must be submitted through the ProposalCentral online portal (https://proposalcentral.com/). Here’s how to apply:

Step 1: Check Eligibility and Register

• Ensure your institution is registered with ProposalCentral. If not, contact your institution’s Grants and Contracts Office to set up an account.
• Create a personal account on ProposalCentral if you don’t have one.

Step 2: Submit a Letter of Intent (LOI)

• Deadline: July 17, 2025
• Requirements: A brief 2-page description of the proposed research.
• Note: Only invited applicants can submit a full proposal.

Step 3: Full Proposal (By Invitation Only)

• Deadline: December 4, 2025
• Requirements:
  • Detailed research plan (length varies by program; check guidelines).
  • Biosketch and budget details.
  • Preferred file format: PDF (file size limit: 10MB, unless approved for larger files like videos).
• Formatting: Follow specific guidelines on ProposalCentral for each program (ADR, MDR, NGR).

Step 4: Review and Notification

• Proposals are reviewed by expert committees for scientific merit and relevance.
• Applicants are notified of decisions by mid-April.

Key Guidelines for Applicants

• Budget Restrictions:
  • No administrative overhead or indirect costs are allowed.
  • PI salary: Limited to 35% of the grant or 35% of the PI’s salary (whichever is less).
  • Co-PI salary: Limited to 25% of the grant or 25% of the Co-PI’s salary (whichever is less).
• Open Access: Reasonable funds for open-access journal publications can be requested.
• High-Risk, High-Reward Focus: BrightFocus prioritizes innovative projects over incremental research.
• Drug Research: For studies involving compounds, include details like structure, pharmacodynamics, and pharmacokinetics (e.g., drug half-life, target engagement).
• File Formats: Submit documents in PDF format. Contact BrightFocus for approval if larger file sizes (e.g., videos) are needed.

Important Deadlines

• Letter of Intent: Thursday, July 17, 2025.
• Full Proposal (if invited): Thursday, December 4, 2025
• Notification: Mid-April.

Tips for a Successful Application

• Focus on Innovation: Highlight how your research is groundbreaking and addresses gaps in understanding Alzheimer’s, macular degeneration, or glaucoma.
• Provide Preliminary Data (Standard Awards): Show evidence of progress to strengthen your proposal.
• Follow Formatting Guidelines: Check specific requirements for each program on ProposalCentral.
• Contact BrightFocus for Support: Reach out to [email protected] or call 1-800-437-2423 for assistance.

Why Apply for a BrightFocus Grant?

BrightFocus grants have fueled major breakthroughs, including the first U.S. blood test for Alzheimer’s and the reversal of vision loss from glaucoma in mice using gene therapy. By supporting early-stage, innovative research, BrightFocus helps researchers secure larger funding and make a global impact.

How to Learn More

• Visit the BrightFocus Foundation website: brightfocus.org/apply.
• Check program-specific Requests for Proposals:
  • Alzheimer’s Disease Research
  • Macular Degeneration Research
  • National Glaucoma Research
• Contact: [email protected] or 1-800-437-2423.

Sources: BrightFocus Foundation Website, ProposalCentral Guidelines