ACVO-Vision for Animals Foundation (VAF) Request for Proposals 2022

ACVO-VISION FOR ANIMALS FOUNDATION (VAF) REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS addressing significant health concerns in the field of veterinary ophthalmology

Submission deadline: July 1, 2022 by 4:59 pm ET

The American College of Veterinary Ophthalmologists' Vision for Animals Foundation (ACVO-VAF) is a nonprofit organization that invests in science to advance animal ophthalmic health. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, the ACVO-VAF is able to fund hypothesis-driven, humane animal health research proposals with high scientific merit and the potential for significant impact within the field of veterinary ophthalmology.

Applications in response to this request for proposals can be either clinical or basic science in nature. An overarching goal of the ACVO-VAF research initiative is to support quality research and co-join basic and clinical research to understand underlying disease pathogenesis and accelerate progress toward developing effective diagnostics and/or therapeutics. There are no restrictions on the targeted disease, tissue, or species. Each applicant will need to convince the reviewers that the proposed research project will advance the science of veterinary ophthalmology. Applications are encouraged from academic institutions, private practice, or a collaboration between the two.

As with all research projects, the approach must be scientifically sound with a clear rationale. The inclusion of power analyses to justify sample size and the inclusion of carefully selected control animals is extremely important and will be considered by reviewers. Further, the investigator(s) must demonstrate that they clearly understand the heath concern addressed by the proposal and have the expertise to perform the study.

PROPOSAL DETAILS:
* A complete application must be submitted to the ACVO-VAF Grants Committee Co-Chairs by July 1,
2022 by 4:59 pm ET
* Projects must advance the science of ophthalmic health in small or large animals or in wildlife.
Projects specifically oriented towards human ocular health will not be considered for funding.
* Projects must adhere to the ACVO-VAF Policy for Animals Involved in Research
(https://www.visionforanimals.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/2018-Policy-for-Animals-Involved-in-Research.pdf).
* A maximum of one application is permitted from each Principal Investigator.
* The maximum study duration is two years. Regular progress reports will be required according to the ACVO-VAF's terms and conditions.
* The maximum budget is $50,000. The ACVO-VAF does not support institutional facilities and administrative costs (i.e. indirects).

Complete grant applications will undergo peer-review, in which proposals will be evaluated on study design and scientific merit, innovation, feasibility of proposed research, and the potential impact within veterinary ophthalmology. As with all other research program areas, collaborative, multi-disciplinary teams of investigators who can approach discovery research from multiple perspectives will be considered a strength.
Funding decisions will tentatively be made in October 2022.

Application materials including specific instructions and a template can be found at the ACVO-VAF
website:

https://www.visionforanimals.org/grant-programs/vaf-2022-grant-program/

Please direct any application questions to the ACVO-VAF Grants Committee Co-Chairs:

Dr. Gina Newbold (newbold.16@osu.edu)
Dr. Heather Chandler (chandler.111@osu.edu) The Ohio State University