ARVO Foundation Research Catalyst Award

About this program

The ARVO Foundation offers the Research Catalyst Award to support an initial vision research project by early-career investigators or researchers returning to the workforce after an extended leave. One $70,000 award, plus an additional Retina-focused award, is available annually for projects completed within two years; applications open August 1 and close October 1, 2026. Applicants must be within three years of their primary academic appointment or returning after at least one year away from research, identify a mentor or senior colleague, and lack an active NIH R-series grant or equivalent. Applicants may submit one proposal per cycle and must provide recommendations, a project plan, mentor information, and institutional documentation.