2021 marks 10 years of the Macular Disease Foundation Australia’s (MDFA) Research Grants Program, with a total funding pool of AU$1.1 million to be allocated to Australian researchers this month (May).
This round of funding brings MDFA’s total commitment to $5.2 million over the past decade – Australia’s largest non-government source of research funding in the field of macular disease.
This year, MDFA is launching the Grant Family Fund – a new stream of funding for early-career researchers undertaking innovative ‘blue-sky’ projects – and an impact report showcasing the 18 worldleading Australian researchers MDFA has supported over the past 10 years.
The MDFA Research Grants Program has provided a crucial stepping stone in the careers of these researchers, and this year’s $1.1 million investment is particularly vital in the COVID-hit economic climate.
Ita Buttrose Oration
This Macula Month, MDFA will also launch the Ita Buttrose Oration series at the National Press Club in Canberra.
Ita Buttrose AC OBE – long-time MDFA Patron and passionate eye health advocate – will deliver the inaugural address, placing the issue of vision loss on the national agenda.
Ms Buttrose is regarded as the voice of older Australians and her oration will tackle the big issues relating to eye health and healthy ageing more broadly. The Oration series will be presented regularly and will shine a spotlight on how we are tracking as a nation to ensure a healthy ageing Australia.
The inaugural event will be held at Canberra’s National Press Club on Wednesday, 5 May. Tickets can be purchased at www.npc.org.au/ speakers, and the event will be broadcast on the ABC.
