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The Macular Society supports the principle of using animals in research when it is necessary to advance understanding of health and disease and to develop new treatments. This research only takes place where there is no alternative available.

1. General

a. This policy relates to the Research Committee, its Chair and other members.

• Membership of the Research Committee will be for a minimum of three years.
• Membership can be renewed for up to a further three years, by mutual agreement with the Chair of the Committee.
• All members of the Research Committee should be rotated off after six years of service.
• Individuals can re-join the committee after a three year gap.
• Membership will be staggered to ensure continuity of the Research Committee and a clear plan for membership rotation will be developed and maintained.

In order to ensure independent decision making, no more than two Macular Society trustees will sit on the Research Committee at any one time.

The Macular Society believes that stem cell research has the potential to bring great benefit to people with macular conditions. It therefore supports the use of all types of stem cells including embryonic, adult and induced pluripotent stem cells.

The Macular Society has two calls for grant applications each year. In April we invite applications for Research grants and PhD studentships. In July we invite applications for Seedcorn grants.

The Macular Society has an annual grant application round for Research grants and PhD studentships.

Seedcorn grants up to £25,000 are available for projects with a maximum duration of one year, at a UK institution.

Each year five grants of up to £2,000 each are available to enable early career researchers working in the field of macular disease to attend the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) annual meeting in the USA, where they are presenting work.

We will consider applications for clinical or laboratory-based research projects which can positively impact people with macular disease. This may include research into causes and prevention, early detection, treatments or improving quality of life.

The research grant terms and conditions are available for download below.