The Royal College of Ophthalmologists Research Fund

Introduction

The College has identified the need to raise the profile of ophthalmic research for the benefit of future patients. To do so it wishes to develop a pool of secure funds, to be called "The Royal College of Ophthalmologists Research Fund". This will be used to support original or innovative research and educational programmes and services for clinician researchers, for which funding is not always available through traditional routes.

There is a variety of possible sources for these funds. These include major gift initiatives from individuals and companies, endowments, wills, legacies and individual donations from the public.

The project has been started in 2008 so there will be enough monies accrued by the College's 25th Anniversary celebrations in 2013 to allow disbursements to commence.

The Royal College of Ophthalmologists' Research Fund will be established in 2008 as an expendable Endowment Fund to assure a stable mechanism to enhance the conduct and dissemination of research in ophthalmology and visual sciences. It will encourage collaboration between clinicians and basic scientists, and the development of new clinician-scientists. It will highlight translational research.

Purpose

· To promote research in ophthalmology and visual sciences among membership of the College: clinicians, trainee ophthalmologists, clinician scientists and basic scientists

· To encourage original and innovative research in ophthalmology which may or may not be funded from 'traditional' sources

· To promote the dissemination of scientific research findings

· To promote educational activities which enhance the conduct of research and its dissemination, including the identification of interdisciplinary collaborations and translational research

· To promote leadership in research including the funding of senior posts in ophthalmology and vision sciences, including fellowships, professorships, and travel grants

Funding

Funding for the Research Fund's activities are being obtained through the generosity of industry, individual public donors who appreciate our role in blindness reduction, and members of the College. Donations originate from major gift initiatives from individuals or organisations, endowments, wills and legacies, as well as individual donations from the public, and planned giving by the College membership.

Different categories of donations will be recognised including Corporate Founders, Corporate/Organisational Donors, Founding Partners, and Friends etc, depending on the level of contribution. When specified, donations may be assigned to specific projects. Lists of donors will be published by category, unless the donor wishes to remain anonymous.

Fund raising has commenced and the endowment fund aims to accrue £1.5 -2.0 million by The Royal College of Ophthalmologists' 25th Anniversary celebrations in 2013. Disbursements will commence in that year as part of the Silver Jubilee celebrations, and continue on a regular basis thereafter.

The funds shall be held as an expendable endowment within the College's accounts.

Governance

The Fund will be administered and presided over by an Honorary Research Advisory Board. The Board, with a membership of five, will be appointed by Council on the advice of the Scientific Committee of the College, and include representation of the Scientific and Educational Committees. The Chair of this Board would, preferably, be a senior member to ensure impartiality. The terms of office of the chair, and other members shall not exceed 5 years in the first instance, but may be renewable.

At the inception of this Research Fund, the Board may initially be constituted by an Interim Board or Committee chaired by the Chair of the Scientific Committee, and assisted by the Honorary Secretary, Honorary Treasurer, the Chief Executive and the Head of Scientific Department of the College or their representatives, for a period of not more than 24 months.

The Board will actively seek funds, and oversee the activities of the Fund, and may as necessary appoint standing or special committees to help in discharging its duties.

Programmes

· Original, innovative and translational research in ophthalmology and visual sciences by
College members.

· Educational activities which enhance the conduct of translational research, including the
identification of interdisciplinary collaborations.

· Leadership in research including the funding of senior posts in ophthalmology and vision
sciences, including fellowships, professorships, and travel grants

How to make a donation

If you would like to make a donation to The Royal College of Ophthalmologists Research Fund, please make your cheque payable to The Royal College of Ophthalmologists and send to Mrs. Heidi Booth-Adams at the address below.

Donations of £10,000 or more would ensure acknowledgment of your personal generosity in the subsequent publications.

We are grateful to Novartis and Allergan for their generous support.

Gift Aid Declaration Form

Contact

Mr. Winfried Amoaku / Mrs. Heidi Booth-Adams
Scientific Department
The Royal College of Ophthalmologists
17 Cornwall Terrace
London NW1 4 QW

T: 020 7935 0702
F: 020 7487 4674
E: heidi.booth-adams@rcophth.ac.uk

The Royal College of Ophthalmologists is a registered charity. Its charity number is 299872.

Page updated: 3rd December 2009 (OS)