In a significant boost to its mission of advancing vision science, the Indiana University School of Medicine has received a prestigious unrestricted grant from Research to Prevent Blindness. The grant will provide $150,000 per year for five years to strengthen innovative eye research in the school's Department of Ophthalmology.
This highly competitive award follows a rigorous review by a renowned scientific advisory panel, which evaluates research excellence, laboratory capabilities, and the strength of the department’s clinical and scientific teams.
"The Research to Prevent Blindness grant helps achieve our department's vision to be a leader in eye research by advancing research, leading to innovative treatments and translational insights," said John T. Lind, MD, chair of the Department of Ophthalmology.
The flexible funding will enable the department to expand and develop research programs and pursue bold ideas that extend beyond the reach of restricted project grants.
"This grant will advance our research program by providing our faculty with the necessary support to build a cutting-edge research program, thereby transforming eye research and vision care for Hoosiers and beyond," said Ashay D. Bhatwadekar, PhD, RPh, director of basic and translational research for the department.
The IU School of Medicine is one of only 28 institutions nationwide awarded this type of grant — a distinction that highlights the school's leadership in vision research and commitment to breakthroughs that benefit patients locally and around the world.
Since its founding in 1960, Research to Prevent Blindness has invested more than $429 million in eye research, contributing to nearly every major breakthrough in the field of vision science.
