Submission Instructions

The following covers general submission instructions. Exact page limitations can be found in the downloadable documents related to the award program to which you are applying. These documents can be found at the bottom of this page.

• Online Submission Instructions
• File Type and Size
• Length Limitations
• Cover Letters
• Appendix Information
• Signature Pages
• Post-submission Edits and Corrections
• Contact Information

Online Submission Instructions

Due to the large volume of proposals received we no longer accept proposals that are mailed or emailed to the foundation. You must use the online submission process which is accessed by clicking the blue arrow on the BrightFocus Apply for Grant Funding web page at: www.brightfocus.org/research/apply/main.html.

Once linked to the submission website, you will be prompted to register your organization. Upon doing so, a system defined password will be emailed to you, along with a link to the application portal. To continue, click on the smartsimple link provided (http://brightfocus.smartsimple.us) where you will be asked to change the system defined password to one of your own choosing. Once the new password is created and submitted, you will be taken to the Application Portal where you will be given step by step instructions to proceed with the application process.

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File Type and Size

Portable Document Format (.pdf) is the preferred file format. A number of commercial and freeware applications exist for pdf creation. The applicant is responsible for ensuring that the final pdf document adheres to the formatting and length limitation guidelines.

For most applications, the BrightFocus submission website will not permit uploads of greater than 10MB of information for any single application. Exact file size limitations are noted in the Template and Guidelines documents.

In some cases, greater file sizes may be allowable, but must be approved at least one week prior to the deadline. These allowances are typically reserved for file types that require large file sizes, such as videos. Please contact a BrightFocus staff member to discuss this.

General Formatting Guidelines

Margins should be set at no less than 3/4" on all sides. Please use Times New Roman font at a size no less than 11 points. The color of the narrative text should be black. Applications must be legible and written in English. Do not use jargon or unusual abbreviations.

The applicant is responsible for ensuring that the final submitted document adheres to all formatting and length limitation guidelines. A link to the formal proposal guidelines document is available in the Smart Simple application portal.

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Length Limitations

Length limitations and word count limitations are specified in the application template and guidelines documents (located on this page) and are enforced during administrative review.

Length limitations are measured when the document is printed on 8.5 inch x 11 inch (215.9 mm × 279.4 mm) paper. Please note that A4 paper exceeds these specifications.

Tables, graphs, and photographs must be included within the section in which they are referenced. Text in figure legends, tables, or graphs, should be included in the word count.

The applicant is responsible for ensuring that the final submitted document adheres to all formatting and length limitation guidelines.

In order to provide all applicants an equal opportunity to present their ideas, BrightFocus holds the right to administratively deny any proposal that violates the length limitations or formatting requirements.

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Cover Letters

If you would like to submit a confidential cover letter to the BrightFocus Research Grants department, you may upload it as a separate pdf in the application portal. The uploaded file should be named “lastname_14cover.pdf” where 'lastname' is the surname of the Principal Investigator. We do not accept cover letters for the Letter of Intent in Macular Degeneration Research.

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Appendix Information

There is no requirement for appendix information, and many successful proposals do not provide such information. If you wish to include appendix information, you must follow these guidelines.

• Any appendix information should be uploaded in a SINGLE pdf file separate from the proposal.
• The file should be named “lastname_14appendix.pdf” where 'lastname' is the surname of the Principal Investigator.
• The first page of the file should list the contents of the appendix, the title of the proposal and the Principal Investigator's name.
• Up to 5 papers may be included as an appendix.
• All papers must be authored by the Principal Investigator or a named collaborator.
• DO NOT include supplementary data in any Appendix. This will be viewed as an attempt to circumvent page limitations and may result in denial of your proposal.

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Signature Pages

BrightFocus does not require signatures at the time of submission. Given the variability in administrative time required to collect signatures, BrightFocus policy allows investigators to submit their signature pages for up to two weeks following the 'official' deadline.

The Signature Page should be signed, scanned, and uploaded as a separate PDF. in the application portal. The Signature page should not contain any text information from previous sections, other than the title of the project. The file should be named “lastname_14signature.pdf” where 'lastname” is the surname of the Principal Investigator

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Post-submission Edits and Corrections

You should save your proposal in DRAFT status until you have made all necessary edits and corrections. Once you SUBMIT, the proposal may no longer be changed. BrightFocus does not accept supplementary data following submission. The only edits allowable following submission are changes to administrative information such as email addresses and telephone numbers.

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Contact Information

If you have any questions or difficulties, please contact a representative of the Research Grants office.

Last Review: 05/15/13