Our research projects
Since 1987 the Macular Society has invested around £10 million in over 100 research projects. Each year we invite applications for research grants, PhD studentships and seedcorn grants which are assessed by our Research Committee.
Research grants
Research grants are for projects of up to three years duration and up to £300,000, which covers everything from laboratory chemicals to salaries.
PhD studentships
A PhD studentship funds a student to undertake a three year research project. The student submits a thesis for qualification of the degree, which is the highest level of academic degree attainable.
Seedcorn projects
A seedcorn grant is funding of up to £25,000 to generate preliminary data to advance innovative and novel ideas.
Fellowships
A fellowship is an award that provides funding for individuals to pursue research, study, training, or professional development.
Protecting damaged blood vessels in the back of the eye
This research aims to understand why blood vessels in the macular get damaged and how to stop it, in hope of finding new treatments for dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Find out more
Understanding new stress response pathway involved in AMD
This research project aims to investigate a new pathway that reduces stress in the macular cells, to understand why it is reduced in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and how this reduction may damage the macular.
Find out more
Developing new anti-complement drugs for dry AMD
This study is aiming to find complement system inhibitor targets to stop damage to the macula that is associated with dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Find out more
Investigating a possible gene therapy for dry AMD
Research into a gene therapy for dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD), which aims to maintain the health of an important macular cell layer.
Find out more
Improving the ease of diagnosis
This project aims to improve how macular disease and inherited retinal conditions are diagnosed. By developing a portable electroretinogram (ERG) device, the research team hopes to make retinal testing faster, more accessible and easier for patients.
Find out more
Investigating the role of exosomes in the development of AMD
This project investigates how tiny cell-derived particles called exosomes may contribute to the development of dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD).
Find out more