LOI Deadline: July 15, 2025
Glaucoma Research Foundation’s Shaffer Grants program is an innovation incubator, attracting much-needed brainpower to glaucoma research and carrying us closer to a cure. Honoring glaucoma pioneer Robert N. Shaffer, MD, who launched the Foundation, these one-year grants provide $55,000 in seed money for collaborative projects that target one or more of our strategic research goals.
In the spirit of high-risk/high-reward discovery, we consider it vital to invest in new research that may go on to earn major government and additional philanthropic support. The National Institutes of Health and large companies may pass over brilliant young researchers with novel ideas if there is no precedent of support for their work. Armed with evidence made possible by our grants, these scientists often secure the major funding they need to bring their ideas to fruition.
Since 1978, Glaucoma Research Foundation has invested $50 million to advance knowledge through innovative research. Recipients of the first named Shaffer Grants for Innovative Glaucoma Research were announced in 2008 at the Foundation s 30th Anniversary Benefit. To date, we have awarded close to 300 Shaffer Grants. We will continue to lead the way in research until a cure is found.
Shaffer Grants for Innovative Glaucoma Research are $55,000, one-year grants awarded to scientists and clinicians to fund projects that support new high-impact clinical, epidemiological and laboratory research based on our strategic research goals.
Shaffer Grant Focus Areas
There are now two focus areas for Shaffer Grants, one for the physiology of glaucoma and a second to advance the genetics of glaucoma.
When completing your application, please indicate which area is the primary focus of your grant.
1. The Physiology of Glaucoma which may include projects to:
- Protect and restore the optic nerve.
- Accurately detect glaucoma and monitor its progress.
- Provide better understanding and treatment for congenital/juvenile glaucoma.
- Understand the intraocular pressure system and develop better treatments.
- Determine the risk factors for glaucoma damage using systematic outcomes data.
2. The Genetics of Glaucoma (Funded through the Zander Family Research Fund) which may include projects to:
- Identify the genes that cause glaucoma.
- Explore new approaches to gene therapy to preserve or restore vision.
Core Values of Shaffer Grants
- Involve people with glaucoma in the design, implementation, and evaluation of programs.
- Encourage collaboration among experts in many fields of study.
- Communicate research goals and results to the scientific community and the public.
- Ensure that new glaucoma treatments maintain or improve individuals’ quality of life.
- Encourage innovative clinical trial studies and laboratory research.
- Develop cell and animal models of glaucoma to support research studies.
- Facilitate and support the development of physician-scientists to advance glaucoma research.
Restrictions
- Equipment exceeding $12,000 (waivers may be granted on a case-by-case basis)
- Salaries for principal investigators and co-investigators
- Projects with overt commercial applications
- General lab supplies used for daily purposes such as swabs, gloves, etc.
- Indirect costs, including overhead
For more information, please see the opportunity webpage.