Individual Research Projects in Ophthalmology: IRPO
IRPO is intended to stimulate basic, translational or clinical research in ophthalmology at Belgian Institutes.
The grant focuses on basic research related to ophthalmology, description of disease phenotypes, translational research, therapeutic outcomes, development of diagnostic methods, or genotype-phenotype correlations.
Research outcomes should improve and benefit the national and international standing of Belgian Ophthalmology. If the research project involves clinical work, the team should follow the ICH-GCP regulations and requirements applicable at the time of submission. IRPO is a one-year assignment program with an option to apply for a second round of funding.
Special grant for research into retinal diseases, awarded by the Fund John W. Mouton Pro Retina & the Fund Marie-Claire Liénaert, managed by the King Baudouin Foundation.
Some Belgian ophthalmological societies may also contribute funds for research into specific subspecialty areas. If your research meets the criteria and is funded by the member society’s donation, the grant will be named after that society.
Timeline & deadlines:
| • Submission of preliminary call | 31 May 2025, before midnight |
| • Applicants invited to prepare final application | 23 June 2025 |
| • Final submission of successful applications | 01 September 2025, before midnight |
| • Selection of final successful projects | 24 October 2025 |
| • Announcement of final successful projects | During OB2025 |
| • Start of funding | 01 December 2025 |
| • End of funding | 31 November 2026 |
The application for IRPO (Individual Research Projects in Ophthalmology) has two phases:
A Preliminary Application (PART I) must be submitted before midnight on May 31, 2025
Selected applicants will be invited to submit their final application on 23 June 2025.
After this, applicants who are asked to proceed will have until midnight on the 1st September to complete and submit the Final Application Form (PART II).
Please download the official application form here.
Please note, this is a locked Word document – you can only enter text/ make selections as restricted by the document. Please ensure you answer the questions as fully as possible, paying attention to the process outlined above. If you have difficulty with the form, please inform fro@fro-online.org
Eligibility candidates for IRPO
Upload your Application Form here:
