Danish Eye Research Foundation

The Danish Eye Research Foundation (Danish: Øjenfonden) is a Danish foundation established in 1983 on the initiative of the Danish Association of the Blind (Dansk Blindesamfund). Its stated purpose is to prevent blindness through the support and promotion of eye research. The foundation operates in Denmark and is closely tied to the Danish Association of the Blind, which initiated its creation and with which it shares its online presence at blind.dk. The foundation's work is grounded in the recognition that over 1,000 diseases can lead to blindness, and that research into eye diseases is therefore essential so that they may eventually be prevented. It notes that losing sight — fully or partially — leaves deep human and social marks, and that blindness can affect anyone regardless of age. Every day, some Danes are diagnosed with serious visual impairment, with most cases attributed to internal causes such as eye diseases or age-related changes in the eye. The foundation provides research grants. For its 2026 funding round, it called for applications for the next allocation, to take place in May 2026. Funds are granted to projects within prioritized areas: studies of the effect and significance of vision rehabilitation; clinical studies of screening for and treatment of glaucoma; and clinical studies of treatment of dry AMD (age-related macular degeneration). In addition, researchers and other professionals may apply for support for research, development and education connected to the North Jutland (nordjyske) area, provided the activities fall within the prevention of visual disability or the alleviation of the consequences of visual disability. Applicants must prepare a project description of no more than five A4 pages, including figures and references, which must form the basis for the foundation's assessment of the project's worthiness for support. The description must also state whether relevant permissions have been obtained from the Danish Data Protection Agency, the scientific ethics committee system, etc. To be considered, the application must include a full budget for the entire project period, showing the budget for each year of the period and where the requested amount appears in the accounts. The foundation is a non-commercial philanthropic entity rather than a business, but it functions as a grant-making brand within Danish eye health and research. It is registered as a foundation in Denmark.

The Danish Eye Research Foundation (Øjenfonden) was founded in 1983 on the initiative of the Danish Association of the Blind (Dansk Blindesamfund). Its founding purpose was to prevent blindness through the support and promotion of eye research. The foundation has since operated as a grant-making body within Danish eye health, funding research projects aimed at understanding, preventing and treating eye diseases and their consequences. Over time, the foundation has developed prioritized funding areas. For its 2026 allocation, scheduled for May 2026, it invited applications within three priority areas: studies of the effect and significance of vision rehabilitation; clinical studies of screening for and treatment of glaucoma; and clinical studies of treatment of dry AMD. It also offers support for research, development and education connected to the North Jutland area, provided the activities relate to preventing visual disability or alleviating its consequences. The foundation maintains an application process requiring a project description of at most five A4 pages, including figures and references, along with documentation of relevant permissions and a full project budget. It is associated with the Danish Association of the Blind and shares its web presence at blind.dk.

• 2026

  Next funding allocation scheduled for May 2026, with prioritized areas including vision rehabilitation, glaucoma screening and treatment, and dry AMD treatment.

• 1983

  Founded on the initiative of the Danish Association of the Blind with the purpose of preventing blindness through support and promotion of eye research.

A Danish grant-making foundation focused on preventing blindness through eye research, initiated by and affiliated with the Danish Association of the Blind.

• Research grants

  Grants for projects within prioritized eye research areas.

1. 1Øjenfonden - Dansk Blindesamfundblind.dk
2. 2Danish Eye Research Foundation - Wikidatawikidata.org