Strategical thinking

National eye research charity Fight for Sight has announced a new research strategy which it says is designed to maximise the impact of its research funding.

 

Over the next five years, Fight for Sight will continue to fund research that addresses sight loss as a result of any eye condition. However, it will also focus the majority of its funding on a small number of areas that form core strategic programmes for the charity.

 

The programme areas include: age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, inherited eye diseases, and sight loss linked to other diseases such as diabetes and Alzheimer’s.

 

Director of research, policy and innovation at Fight for Sight, Dr Neil Ebenezer, said: “Fight for Sight’s vision is simple – we want to stop sight loss. We have to consider carefully how to use our resources with maximum impact so our new strategy will help us in doing this. As well as identifying four strategic programmes we will continue to fund the same high quality research into all eye conditions.”

Coinciding with the release of its new strategy, Fight for Sight is seeking applications from potential supervisors of PhD Studentships for research into sight loss caused by any eye disease.

 

Grants of up to £100,000 will be available for each studentship, with the majority of funding allocated to projects within one of Fight for Sight's specific programme areas.

 

Applications should be submitted by 5pm on 22 August.

 

Dr Ebenezer added: “We’re committed to encouraging new and highly motivated graduates to take up and pursue a career in ophthalmic and vision research. We look forward to getting our latest applications for PhD Studentships to develop the researchers of the future who will tackle the challenge of sight loss.”