Macular Disease Foundation Australia (MDFA) is celebrating World Sight Day (13 October) with a further commitment to fund ground-breaking research into macular disease. MDFA has committed $5.1 million across 29 projects since the research grants program was launched in 2011. MDFA is Australia’s largest non-government sources of funding for world-leading research that aims to reduce the incidence and impact of macular disease.
Notable past recipients of MDFA funding include Professor Paul Mitchell AO, Professor Robyn Guymer, Professor Mark Gillies, and Associate Professor Fred Chen, to name a few.
Peer review and rigorous evaluation based on the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) process has always ensured the successful applicants meet high standards.
New to the 2023 evaluation process will be the inclusion of a community review panel – people living with a macular condition or directly supporting those living with the disease. As MDFA’s research program is funded by the generosity of the public through donations, this change in process reflects MDFA’s desire to represent the voice of the macular disease community.
“We see this as a welcome addition to a very successful program,” says Dr. Kathy Chapman, MDFA’s new CEO.
“Our research program exists because our community is deeply committed to advancing understanding of this disease. We hope that the Community Review Panel will contribute to the funding decisions through their lived experience, making the research we fund even more relevant to the needs of the community, as well as being scientifically rigorous”.
Once again, the Grant Family Fund – a legacy gift in honour of the late Faye Grant and her father Ronald Grant – will offer a total pool of up to $100,000 for early-career researchers for “blue-sky” research in the field of macular disease.
The Grant Family Fund invests in creative and innovative projects by early-career Australian researchers that show potential for future funding by granting bodies, in accordance with the principles of the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC).
Applications close at 5pm (AEDT) on 31 January 2023 before the successful applicants are announced in May 2023. To learn more about the MDFA Research Grants Program or to apply, visit the MDFA website: www.mdfoundation.com.au/content/research-grants-program
Posted: October 13th 2022
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