Funding priorities and guidelines
The program supports high-impact inherited retinal disease and Bardet-Biedl syndrome projects across foundational discovery, translational research, therapeutic development, clinical studies, and patient-centered outcomes.
Inherited retinal diseases — primary focus
The program supports high-impact projects across the research and development pipeline. Qualified investigators at academic institutions, nonprofit research organizations, hospitals, biotechnology companies, and other mission-aligned organizations are welcome to submit inquiries.
- Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS)
- Retinitis pigmentosa
- Stargardt disease
- Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA)
- Usher syndrome
- Cone-rod dystrophy
- Achromatopsia
- Choroideremia
- X-linked retinoschisis
- Other inherited retinal disorders
Therapeutic development
RAB encourages proposals involving a range of therapeutic and delivery approaches.
- Gene therapy
- Gene editing technologies
- RNA-based therapeutics
- Small molecule therapies
- Protein replacement strategies
- Cell therapies
- Novel biologics
- Drug delivery systems
- Retinal delivery technologies
- Combination therapeutic approaches
Translational and clinical research
- Preclinical therapeutic development
- IND-enabling studies
- Clinical trials
- Natural history studies
- Biomarker discovery
- Outcome measure development
- Imaging innovations
- Patient registries
- Disease progression studies
- Real-world evidence generation
Bardet-Biedl syndrome — expanded areas of interest
Because BBS is a complex multisystem disorder, RAB may consider non-ocular research with the potential to significantly improve patient health, quality of life, or long-term outcomes.
- Hyperphagia and obesity
- Metabolic dysfunction
- Kidney disease
- Cardiovascular complications
- Endocrine disorders
- Neurological manifestations
- Developmental and cognitive outcomes
- Mobility and physical function
- Precision medicine approaches
- Natural history or disease progression across organ systems
Types of projects we support
Support depends on available funding.
- Pilot or proof-of-concept studies
- Translational research
- Early-stage therapeutic development
- Clinical trials
- Collaborative multi-institution research
- Technology development
- Research infrastructure with clear translational value
- Patient-centered outcomes research
- Projects that enable future therapeutic development
Projects we generally do not fund
- Projects unrelated to inherited retinal diseases or Bardet-Biedl Syndrome
- Student scholarships or tuition assistance
- Retrospective reimbursement for previously completed work
- Conference attendance or travel as a standalone request
- Event sponsorships
- General operating expenses unrelated to a defined research project
- Fundraising activities
- Equipment purchases without a clearly defined research objective
- Capital campaigns or facility construction
- Political campaigns or lobbying activities
A two-stage application
Submission of a Letter of Inquiry does not guarantee funding or an invitation to submit a full application.
Letter of Inquiry
Applicants submit a brief inquiry describing the proposed research, anticipated impact, requested funding, and project team. Selected applicants may be invited to submit a full proposal.
Full Proposal — invitation only
Selected applicants provide a detailed scientific proposal, budget, project milestones, supporting documentation, regulatory information, and institutional approvals as applicable.
Collaboration and communication
Investigators receiving funding may be invited to provide progress reports and participate in educational initiatives in consultation with the research team and sponsoring institution.
Confidentiality
Submitted materials are reviewed by RAB staff and, when appropriate, qualified scientific advisors or external reviewers. RAB makes reasonable efforts to maintain confidentiality; avoid proprietary information beyond what is necessary for the initial inquiry.