Career Development Award (CDA)

About this program

Foundation Fighting Blindness offers the Career Development Award (CDA) to advance junior clinical research scientists working to prevent, treat, and cure retinal degenerative diseases by supporting laboratory and clinical research, elucidating disease mechanisms, and developing innovative therapies. The program funds up to five junior faculty appointments for five years at $75,000 per year. Eligible applicants are clinician-scientists with an M.D., D.O., O.D., or recognized equivalent foreign degree who are in their first, second, or third year of a junior faculty appointment and committed to inherited retinal disease research; individuals from underrepresented groups and those with disabilities are encouraged to apply. Applications must be submitted via the Foundation’s online portal using the downloadable application, budget template, and face page; awardees must submit periodic scientific progress and financial reports.