Glaucoma Research Foundation Announces Record $3.06 Million in Annual Research Grants

Funding will support innovative research to find cures for glaucoma and neurodegeneration, and continue vision restoration efforts.

Published on Mar. 9, 2026

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Glaucoma Research Foundation (GRF) has announced a record $3.06 million in annual research grants to support 20 investigators at prominent medical institutions across the United States. The grants will fund the GRF's Shaffer Grants, Catalyst for a Cure Vision Restoration Initiative, and Catalyst for a Cure Initiative to Prevent and Cure Neurodegeneration.

Why it matters

This historic level of research funding reflects GRF's extraordinary commitment to finding cures for glaucoma and other neurodegenerative diseases that can lead to vision loss. The grants will enable pioneering research that could lead to breakthroughs in preserving, repairing, and restoring vision for those affected.

The details

The $3.06 million in grants includes $1 million for the Catalyst for a Cure Vision Restoration Initiative, $1 million for the Catalyst for a Cure Initiative to Prevent and Cure Neurodegeneration, and $400,000 for GRF's new Treatment Accelerator Initiative. Additionally, GRF is awarding one-year, $55,000 Shaffer Grants to 12 scientists to support research into novel glaucoma treatments.

  • The grants were announced on March 9, 2026.

The players

Glaucoma Research Foundation

A non-profit organization dedicated to finding cures for glaucoma and other neurodegenerative diseases that can lead to vision loss.

Thomas Brunner

President and CEO of the Glaucoma Research Foundation.

Xin Duan, PhD

Principal investigator in the Catalyst for a Cure Vision Restoration Initiative at the University of California, San Francisco.

Sandro Da Mesquita, PhD

Principal investigator in the Catalyst for a Cure Initiative to Prevent and Cure Neurodegeneration at the Mayo Clinic.

Milica Margeta, MD, PhD

Principal investigator in the Catalyst for a Cure Initiative to Prevent and Cure Neurodegeneration at Mass Eye and Ear.

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What they’re saying

“This year's historic level of research funding reflects the extraordinary commitment of our donor community, many of whom are patients and families personally affected by glaucoma.”

— Thomas Brunner, President and CEO, Glaucoma Research Foundation (PRNewswire)

What’s next

The Glaucoma Research Foundation will continue to fund innovative research and collaborate with leading medical institutions to find cures for glaucoma and other neurodegenerative diseases.

The takeaway

The Glaucoma Research Foundation's record-breaking $3.06 million in annual research grants demonstrates its unwavering commitment to advancing cutting-edge science that could lead to life-changing breakthroughs in preserving, repairing, and restoring vision for those affected by glaucoma and related conditions.