Scientific Advisory Committee 2025 – Grant Selection

Annually Thirteen of the world’s leading clinicians and research scientists convened in Grapevine, Texas each March to review applications for grants on behalf of the Knights Templar Eye Foundation.

 Because of major weather in Dallas this year some of our members of the Committee could not make it to the physical meeting but attended via ZOOM.  

 This year the committee reviewed thirty-four career starter grants, and nineteen competitive renewal grants.  After a discussion on each grant the committee awarded a total of twenty-six grants, sixteen for career starters and 10 for competitive renewal, a total of $2,339,762 in research was funded.

 Members of this committee are from across the country working in labs, hospitals and universities in California, Georgia, Iowa, Indiana, Michigan, Maryland, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.   Prior to the meeting grants are reviewed and scored by the committee members, based on the scoring each grant is ranked.  At the meeting based on the ranking detailed discussions take place then all members score the grant again.  After all grants are reviewed the final ranking based on scores are given a final review, at this time any grants can be requested by a committee member to have an application reviewed one last time.   After the final conversation the committee, based on grant ranking make the decision on which should be rewarded and submits to the KTEF officers present for approval.

 After the meeting, the KTEF office sends out a letter to those that were approved and not approved, along with the letter are final comments from the individual members of the committee. Those awarded are provided final agreements to sign,  and then once received back in the office checks are drafted to the institutions.