Apply for a Macular Disease Foundation Australia grant

MDFA’s latest research grants funding round opens on 1 October 2024 

MDFA is Australia’s largest investor in macular and retinal disease research outside of government, committing more than $5.9 million to world-leading Australian researchers since 2011 with the aim of reducing the impact of macular disease and, ultimately, finding cures. 

MDFA has a NEW grant application process 

This year we are instituting a new two-stage grant application process. 

Stage 1: involves completing an Expression of Interest (EOI) application form. The form can be downloaded below. 

Completed EOI application forms must be submitted by email to MDFA no later than 11pm on Sunday 3 November 2024. 

All eligible applications will be assessed by MDFA’s Research Grants Review Panel, made up of experts and macular disease researchers.  

Please note that only successful EOI applicants from Stage 1 will be invited to enter Stage 2 of the application process. 

Stage 2: Successful applicants will be notified in mid-December 2024, and invited to complete a full grant application that will go through full peer and community review. Closing date for the full applications is 3 February 2025. 

Applications for funding under MDFA’s Research Grants and Grant Family Fund programs are awarded following rigorous evaluation based on the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) guidelines. Australian and International peer review, together with community review, ensures successful applicants meet the highest standard. 

If you’d like to apply for our Research Grants Program, please read the instructions below.  

MDFA Research Grants Program 

MDFA currently has two grant funding streams: MDFA’s Research Grants, and the Grant Family Fund. 

Macular Disease Research Grant 

The MDFA Research Grants funds macular disease research projects up to $200,000, over a total duration of 1-3 years.  

Grant Family Fund 

Early-career researchers can apply for up to $50,000 for ‘blue-sky’ macular disease research projects up to 1 year duration, with the generous support of the Grant Family Fund.  

This stream of grant funding is available to early career researchers who have not held a substantial grant such as NHMRC or equivalent.  

Who is eligible to apply for an MDFA grant? 

Researchers working in any field of research relevant to macular disease are invited to apply.  

The primary investigator must be based in an Australian institution. Institutions can submit more than one application. 

Primary investigators must be Australian citizens, permanent residents or, if relevant, eligible for permanent residency on completion of their studies being undertaken in an Australian university. 

For full eligibility criteria, please download the Guidance for applicants document below. 

1. Download the Expression of Interest application form. 

2. Download the full Guidelines for applicants document.

3. Please email the completed Expression of Interest application form

as a Word document to research@mdfoundation.com.au.  

4. Closing date for applications is 11pm 3 NOVEMBER 2024. 

Please note that applications received after 3 November 2024 will not be progressed. 

Please email any queries about the new process or the Expression of Interest application form to: research@mdfoudation.com.au providing your contact details. 

We look forward to receiving your application.