TERMS OF FUNDING:

Funding Restrictions:

1. The IRRF will fund grants for research at non-profit organizations only, and are awarded to the institution rather than to individual investigators. IRRF funds may be applied toward indirect costs up to but not to exceed 5% of the total requested project amount. Principal investigators must have primary faculty appointments at the level of instructor or higher. Postdoctoral scholars may serve as co-investigators.
   

2. The IRRF does not fund construction of buildings. The purchase of large capital equipment items that exceed $10,000 in cost must be justified in writing.
   

3. The IRRF will not fund the salary of the Principal Investigator except when matching funds are committed from another funding agency. A request for Principal Investigator salary must be thoroughly justified in writing.
   

4. Postdoctoral fellowship funding will only be approved for individuals who have been awarded a terminal degree (Ph.D., M.D., O.D., D.D.S., D.V.M., etc.) and who have opted to pursue training in the area of vision research. Applications for postdoctoral fellows may be independent of larger or ongoing projects. Funding levels for salaries are determined by using current guidelines set by NIH, based on years of post-graduate experience. The annual amount allowed will be increased by an additional percentage amount, according to the institutional requirements for fringe benefits.
   

5. The IRRF will not fund projects that do not relate specifically to and/or involve scientific research on the diseases of the human eye, especially its center, the macula, and peripheral retinal research that ultimately will accelerate the outcome of discovery. This restriction includes fund raising campaigns or political lobbying.
   

6. Funds may be requested for travel; however, no more than a total of $2,000 in any 12-month period will be approved. Travel expenses must be clearly defined (educational meeting, site visits, etc.) and will only be approved for the principal and co-investigators of an approved project
   

Maximum Annual Funding Amount:

The IRRF will strictly enforce an annual funding cap of $100,000 per research project. Therefore, proposals submitted to the IRRF for funding should be prepared keeping this annual cap in mind. Renewed funding periods may be considered.

Length of Funding Period:

Funding periods will be limited to one year; however if funds permit, renewals can be considered after receipt of a renewal application and favorable review of the required progress and financial reports. All applications for continuation of funding must be accompanied by a clear and concise research plan and must be received according to the established deadline dates. (See Administrative Requirements - "Financial Reports," "Progress Reports")

Extensions:

All grants may be extended beyond the date of the original term date with no increase in funding upon receipt of a written request that includes a detailed financial accounting of expended funds, a scientific progress report, and a clear justification for the extension request. Because approval of these requests is not automatic but is contingent upon IRRF approval, requests should be submitted at least 30 days before the original end-date. (See Administrative Requirements - "Funding Extensions")

Maximum Number of Proposals Accepted:

The number of additional funding applications that can be considered from a principal investigator currently receiving IRRF funds is restricted to one renewal application.  At the end of a renewal funding cycle, the principal investigator must wait at least one funding cycle (1 calendar year) before reapplying for funds.

Although it is a requirement that only two consecutive funding applications be approved, the IRRF Board reserves the right to continue such funding at its option.  All requests must be thoroughly supported with documentation of previous studies and an explanation of expected findings.

Fund Disbursements:

To better facilitate the budgeting process, the IRRF board of directors will accept applications only once a year with a corresponding award and funding date. The schedule for funding is as follows:

Determinations for all applications received on or before May 1 will be announced in writing on the first day of September, with funds released on October 1.  Postdoctoral Scholar nominations received on March 1 will be announced in writing on the first day of June, with funds released on July 1.

All administrative requirements, including IRB and IACUC approvals, must be complete with documentation received by the IRRF before grant funds can be released.   If such documentation has not been received within ninety (90) days of notification of intent to fund, the IRRF reserves the right to rescind all funding obligations.

Discontinuation of Grant Funding:

Although the IRRF may commit grant funds for a specific term, it reserves the right to discontinue the grant at any time in the event the work performed is in breach of any of the terms and obligations set forth in these guidelines. (Also See Administrative Requirements - "Failure to Meet Required Administrative Requirements")

Overlapping Grant Awards:

In the event that funding support is received in addition to IRRF funds for a particular project, those overlapping grant funds must be disclosed to the IRRF.

Use of Human Subjects or Vertebrate Animals for Research:

Research projects involving human subjects and/or vertebrate animals must meet or exceed standards required for United States federal government funding.

For research involving animals, a copy of the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee (IACUC) protocol approval or comparable institutional approval for the project for which IRRF funds are committed must be received before grant funds can be released. The approval must state the principal investigator, the title of the project, and the International Retinal Research Foundation as the funding agency. All research must be performed at an institution that has a current animal welfare assurance on file with the U.S. Public Health Service Office of Laboratory Animal Welfare (OLAW).

If human subjects are used, a copy of the Institutional Review Board (IRB) protocol approval or comparable institutional approval for the project for which IRRF funds are committed must be received before grant funds can be released. The approval must state the principal investigator, the title of the project, and the International Retinal Research Foundation as the funding agency.

Please refer to the IRRF Policy Statements: Use of Human Subjects in Research and Use of Animals in Research.

Public Education:

Donors and other interested individuals are routinely informed about the research sponsored by the IRRF. Information provided to the public by the IRRF may include the title of the project, the name and institutional affiliation of the principal investigator, the amount of the award, and a non-technical description of the research being performed. Acceptance of IRRF funds shall be deemed as consent of the principal investigator and the institution to the publication of this information. The principal investigator will be consulted prior to use of scientific information provided in the application or subsequent progress report, and confidential material will not be released.

Publications:

All publications resulting from research sponsored by the IRRF, whether partially or solely supported, must include credit for such funding.

ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS:

Financial Reports:

The IRRF requires a financial report for each year that support is received. 

A 12-month financial report showing allocations and expenditures must be submitted within sixty (60) days of the end of the funding year. This report must be signed by the Principal Investigator and an institutional representative and must show that funds were used in accordance with the approved budget.

In some cases, renewals may be considered.  If funding for an additional one-year period is requested, a report showing allocations and expenditures must accompany the renewal application.  This request should coincide with the May 1 deadline for applications, and no requests received after this date will be considered.  The report must be signed by the Principal Investigator and an institutional representative and must show that grant funds were used in accordance with the approved budget.

Progress Reports:

The IRRF requires a financial report for each year that support is received. 

A 12-month financial report showing allocations and expenditures must be submitted within sixty (60) days of the end of the funding year. This report must be signed by the Principal Investigator and an institutional representative and must show that funds were used in accordance with the approved budget.

In some cases, renewals may be considered.  If funding for an additional one-year period is requested, a report showing allocations and expenditures must accompany the renewal application.  This request should coincide with the May 1 deadline for applications, and no requests received after this date will be considered.  The report must be signed by the Principal Investigator and an institutional representative and must show that grant funds were used in accordance with the approved budget.

Funding Extensions:

It is preferred that grant funds be expended in a timely manner, however an extension may be granted to provide additional time for conclusion of certain aspects of the project.  Permission may be requested to extend the grant period with no increase in funding.  The extension is not automatic, however, and the IRRF Executive Director should be contacted in writing prior to the original end date if an extension is needed.  The request should include justification and be accompanied with interim progress and financial reports.  If an extension is approved, an updated, final financial and scientific progress report will be due within sixty (60) days of the expiration date. 

Patent and Intellectual Property Policy:

The IRRF has established a patent and intellectual property policy that governs any and all inventions or intellectual properties that result from support, in whole or in part, of research, training grants, or awards from the IRRF.

Please refer to the IRRF Policy Statements:  Patent and Intellectual Property

Budget Revisions:

Transfer of more than $5,000 from one budget category to another requires approval from the IRRF, and requests must be made in writing with justification prior to expenditures.

Capital Equipment Purchases:

Capital equipment that exceeds $10,000 in cost must be clearly indicated within the proposed budget and must have specific approval prior to expenditure of funds.

Transfer of Grants:

In the event the Principal Investigator transfers to another university or research facility and wishes to transfer the grant funding, he or she must submit a written request to the IRRF for approval of such transfer.  Written approval from the institution to which the grant was originally made must also accompany the transfer request.  Funds can be transferred to non-profit organizations only.

FAILURE TO MEET REQUIRED ADMINISTRATIVE REQUIREMENTS:

If, for any reason, the required administrative requirements are not met, the IRRF reserves the right to request the return of the grant amount in full, and will employ legal means if indicated.  It is, therefore, highly recommended that the IRRF Executive Director be notified when questions arise concerning these requirements to prevent a disruption of funding.

1. Administrative Requirements
   

2. Application Guidelines
   

3. Policy Statements
   

Grant Application.pdf

Application Forms may also be obtained by contacting:

The International Retinal Research Foundation, Inc.

1720 University Boulevard

Birmingham, Alabama 35233

Attn: Sandra Blackwood, MPA

Executive Director

Phone: 205-325-8103

Fax: 205-325-8394

Or by email: sblackwood@irrfonline.org

An original and three (3) copies of the completed application should be returned to the above address no later than May 1.

NOTICE: NO APPLICATIONS CAN BE ACCEPTED VIA EMAIL.

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