IRRF Postdoctoral Funding / Postdoctoral Scholar Award Guidelines

About this program

The International Retinal Research Foundation (IRRF) awards one-year research grants to nonprofit institutions to support scientific studies of human eye diseases—especially macular and peripheral retinal research—with renewals considered after favorable review of progress and finances. Grants are made to the institution (not individuals); principal investigators must hold a primary faculty appointment at instructor level or higher, and postdoctoral fellowships are available to individuals with terminal degrees who elect vision research (postdocs may also serve as co‑investigators). Awards are limited to $100,000 per project per year, permit up to 5% indirect costs, restrict PI salary unless matched and justified, cap travel at $2,000/year, and require justification for capital equipment over $10,000. Applicants must be at institutions with required human-subjects and animal welfare assurances (IRB/IACUC and OLAW where applicable) and meet annual application deadlines (general grants by May 15, postdoc nominations by March 15) for funding disbursement.