Eye Grants

The J. Pat Cummings ACUVUE® Scholarship

Until recently this scholarship was known as the ACUVUE® Eye Health Advisor Student Citizenship Scholarship. Following the tragic death of Dr Cummings, Vistakon and the American Optometric Foundation decided that the scholarship should be renamed in his honor. This J. Pat Cummings ACUVUE® Scholarship is conferred annually to a second or third year optometry student at each of the U.S. and Canadian schools and colleges of optometry who best demonstrates the ideal eye care standards of practice. To qualify, the recipient must demonstrate achievement in both academic performance and extra-curricular activities, along with other professional pursuits such as involvement with patients through internships, community service, and other volunteer activities.

Scholarship
One $1,000 scholarship toward academic expenses and personalized plaque to a second year or third year student at each of the schools and colleges of optometry in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico.

Purpose
To recognize outstanding student clinicians who best exemplify ideal eye care standards of practice.

Eligibility
Second or third year students attending a school or college of optometry in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico are eligible.

Criteria
Scholarship recipients will be selected based on academic and extra-curricular achievements, along with other professional pursuits such as involvement with patients through internships, community service, and other volunteer activities. Recipients will best exemplify ideal eye care standards of practice, including: (a) the importance of eye health; (b) proper contact lens wear and care; (c) community service and volunteerism.

Selection
The appropriate award selection committee at each of the schools/colleges of optometry will select the one student who meets the eligibility requirements and best demonstrates the qualities detailed in the above criteria.

Submission and Deadline
Nominations must be submitted electronically by e-mail with subject line: J. PAT CUMMINGS ACUVUE® Scholarship by COB September 10, 2010.

For additional questions or information, contact Tracy Kitts, Foundation Coordinator, at 301-984-4734.

VISTAKON® Award of Excellence

Purpose
To recognize outstanding student clinicians who have demonstrated excellence in contact lens patient care during their optometric education.

Award
One $1,000 award and personalized plaque is awarded to a graduating fourth year student at each of the schools and colleges of Optometry in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico.

Criteria
Outstanding clinical patient care as demonstrated by the student’s: (a) overall knowledge in the contact lens field, and (b) skillful, considerate and professional care of his/her contact lens patients.

Application and Review Procedures
The appropriate award selection committee at each of the schools/colleges of optometry will select the one student who meets the eligibility requirements and best demonstrates the qualities detailed in the above criteria. The American Optometric Foundation will not accept applications directly from students.

Notification and Conferment
Each school or college will contact its award winners. The AOF will send the award to the school or college or directly to the student. Likewise, depending on the prevailing policy of the school or college, checks may be made out directly to the student or to institution for application to the student’s financial aid. In either case, a W9 form (or W-8BEN if non-U.S. resident) must be submitted or be on file. Awards are generally mailed by the end of May. If permissible, the award presentation will be made by a Vistakon representative, assigned to each specific school or college of optometry, at the institution’s awards ceremony.

Nomination
The nomination form will be released to institution contacts via email prior to the opening of the submission window. Completed nomination forms must emailed to Email AOF Awards with the subject line: Vistakon AOE plus institution name.

Deadline is April 16, 2010

Please direct any questions to Tracy Kitts, Foundation Coordinator, at: (301) 984-4734.

Essilor Optical Technology Grants

The American Optometric Foundation (AOF) and Essilor are delighted to announce their partnership on the Essilor Optical Technology Grants program, now in its eighth year. Three $20,000 grants are awarded annually to optometry schools for projects intended to elevate the standards and visibility of ophthalmic dispensing to students and patients in the training environment. In the past, grants have been competitively awarded for projects as diverse as to facilitating education and training for clinical outreach in underserved areas, to updating education in teaching and dispensing clinics and providing laboratory equipment that enriches the students training experience. This is part of a commitment by the Foundation and Essilor to develop the next generation of eyecare professionals.

Application Procedures
Applications must be submitted by email to Email AOF Awards. Only one application may be submitted by each school or college of optometry and must be endorsed by the Dean or President of the school/college. The application must include full contact information for the institution and responsible individual.

In 1000 words or less the applicant should state how the grant will be used to further their educational program. The deadline for applications is September 3, 2010.

A 500 word progress report must be submitted by awardees in June of the subsequent year in order for the institution to be eligible for future Essilor Optical Technology Grants. No institution will receive a grant two years in a row.

Review Procedures
Applications will be judged on the school’s commitment to the growth of premium optical technology, as well as how the funding will enable the school to elevate the standards and visibility of ophthalmic dispensing for students and patients. A five-member review panel, including one representative form Essilor, will be convened by the American Optometric Foundation.

Recognition of Awardees
The awardees will be listed in the AOF Annual Report and the American Academy of Optometry’s awards program. Announcements will be placed in the Academy’s newsletter along with Eye-Mail Monthly. Press releases will be sent to all schools and colleges of optometry, optometric organizations, and the optometric press.

For additional information about the American Optometric Foundation, contact Mark Bullimore, MCOptom, PhD, FAAO, Development Director: by phone (614) 292-4724.

VISTAKON Research Grants

Purpose
To encourage talented persons to pursue full-time careers in optometry, the American Optometric Foundation (AOF) is now accepting proposals for two research grants sponsored by VISTAKON ®, Division of Johnson & Johnson Vision Care, Inc. The AOF, in conjunction with the American Academy of Optometry Research Committee, will award these competitive grants to fund basic or clinical research in the area of soft contact lenses.

Awards
There will be two one-year awards: $25,000 and $10,000.

Eligibility
The $25,000 award is open to all persons in optometry and vision science.
The $10,000 award is limited to graduate students and postdoctoral fellows no more than five years from their terminal degree.

Application Deadline
The deadline for applications is July 9, 2010.

Application and Review Procedures
Each proposal must be submitted electronically and contain the following components.

* Introduction; background and significance; specific aims; preliminary studies; and study design and methods. These sections should total no more than 5 pages.
* References (maximum of 1 page)
* Budget and budget justification (maximum of 1 page)
* Biographical sketch(es) of Principal and one co-investigator only (maximum of 2 pages for each investigator)
o Education/training; research and professional experience; honors and awards
o Publications (refereed) for the last three years and representative earlier publications

Applications that do not follow this outline will not be considered. Proposals are reviewed by a peer review committee established by the American Academy of Optometry's Research Committee.

Application Submission
All proposals must be submitted by email.

Costs
The AOF is a non-profit organization and our policy is not to cover any overhead/indirect costs associated with Vistakon Research Grants or any other of our programs. This policy applies uniformly to all award recipients.

Award Conditions
Funds support research conducted for a period of one year. Recipients must submit a report of their research findings to the AOF at the end of the award period in order to be eligible for subsequent awards. Recipients are also encouraged to submit a manuscript to Optometry and Vision Science.

For additional information, contact American Optometric Foundation: (301) 984-4734.

William C. Ezell Fellowships Call for 2010 Applications

Since 1947 the American Optometric Foundation has offered Ezell Fellowships to encourage talented persons to pursue full-time careers in optometric research and education. These fellowships support post-graduate students (primarily optometrists) in full-time programs of study and training in research that leads to the Masters or Ph.D. degrees in vision science.

The Ezell Fellowships have become the flagship program of the AOF. Fellowships are for one year and the current amount of the award is $8,000. Each student also receives travel grants to the annual meetings of the American Academy of Optometry and the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology, which are $750 each.

The American Optometric Foundation has awarded more than 200 Fellowships to students pursuing graduate studies. Among the list of former Ezell Fellows are over 20 deans and presidents of optometric schools and colleges, over 100 faculty members and over 100 Fellows of the American Academy of Optometry, including three of its presidents.

Eligibility
Post-graduate students, continuing a full-time program of study and training in research that leads to a Masters or Ph.D. degree.

Award Levels and Duration
Fellowships are $8,000 and distributed to winners in September. Reapplication can lead to funding for an additional year., however, only under exceptional circumstances will recipients be funded for a third year.

APPLICATION WINDOW IS OPEN NOW! DEADLINE IS MARCH 12th!

* Call for applications and information for 2010-2011 are sent to all accredited schools and colleges of optometry.

Application Review Process
The Research Committee of the American Academy of Optometry reviews all fellowship applications and sends its recommendations to the AOF Board which approves and funds the Ezell Fellowships.
Accepting an AOF Ezell Fellowship

In accepting an AOF Ezell Fellowship, students agree to:
* submit annual progress reports,
* notify AOF of changes in their program,
* acknowledge the AOF in written and oral presentations,
* attend the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Optometry including the AOF Celebration Luncheon
* pursue a full-time career in optometric education and research in a school or college of optometry,
* support the AOF through the Ezell Club and
* submit a W-8 form (Canadian residents) or W-9 form (U.S. Residents).

Deadline for Receipt of Applications
*New and renewal applications, including associated materials, must be received by Friday, March 12, 2010
* Applications and supporting materials should be emailed
* Include the words Ezell Fellowship (+applicant last name) in the subject line of the email.
* Attachments should preferably be saved as pdfs, although MS Word is acceptable. A few attachments containing multiple documents is preferred to multiple attachments.
* All attachments must be saved with a unique file name. The first word in the file name should be the applicant’s last name.
* Letters of recommendation should be emailed by the recommender

For further Information Contact

American Optometric Foundation
6110 Executive Boulevard, Suite 506
Rockville, MD 20852 USA
Tel (301) 984-4734

Benign Essential Blepharospasm Research Foundation, Inc. Request for Research Grant Proposals

Deadline for Submitting Request: August 31, 2010

* Funds up to $150,000 are available for support of research directly related to blepharospasm or Meige's Syndrome, both forms of cranial dystonia
* M.D. or Ph.D. required for principal investigator
* Non-U.S. citizens, working at institutions abroad are also eligible to apply for a research grant
* Research proposals must relate specifically to benign essential blepharospasm and Meige to include new treatments, pathophysiology and genetics, photophobia and dry eye.
* If a grant is awarded, we expect a semiannual progress report
* Deadline to apply is August 31 each year.

Benign Essential Blepharospasm
Research Foundation, Inc.
P.O. Box 12468
Beaumont, TX 77726-2468
Tel: (409) 832-0788
Fax: (409) 832-0890
E-mail: bebrf@blepharospasm.org

Recording for the Blind & Dyslexic National Achievement Awards

Each year, RFB&D collects applications from outstanding students from across the country. Those who demonstrate academic excellence, outstanding leadership, and service to others will be in the running for a cash award.

Deadline for submission is April 1, 2010!

RFB&D sponsors The Mary P. Oenslager Scholastic Achievement Award (SAA) for college seniors who are blind or visually impaired and The Marion Huber Learning Through Listening (LTL) Award for high school seniors with learning disabilities.

Below you will find information regarding the two different awards.

The Mary P. Oenslager Scholastic Achievement Awards (SAA)
The Scholastic Achievement Awards are presented to RFB&D members who are college seniors and blind or visually impaired.

A selection committee will choose nine exceptional students as recipients of this award. RFB&D gives three top winners $6,000 each, three special honors winners $3,000 each, and three honors winners $1,000 each.

Applicants must meet all of the following eligibility criteria:

* Legally blind
* Registered as an RFB&D member for at least one year, up to and including the period of April 1, 2009 - April 1, 2010 (individually or through a school)
* Have or will receive a bachelor's, master's, or doctoral degree from an accredited four year college or university in the United States between July 1, 2009 and June 30, 2010
* Overall grade point average of 3.0 or more on a 4.0 scale (or equivalent if an alternative grading system is used)

The Marion Huber Learning Through Listening® (LTL®) Awards
The Learning Through Listening Awards are presented to RFB&D members who are high school seniors with learning disabilities.

For the purpose of this award, a learning disability is defined as neurological disorder that affects a person's ability to receive, process, story, and/or respond to information, and the person's ability to read standard print.

A selection committee will choose six exceptional students as recipients of this award. RFB&D gives three top winners $6,000 each and three special honors winners $2,000 each.

Applicants must meet all of the following eligibility criteria:

* Have a specific learning disability (please note that visual impairment alone does not indicate eligibility for this award)
* Registered as an RFB&D member for at least one year, up to and including the period of April 1, 2009 - April 1, 2010 (individually or through a school)
* Member of the 2010 graduating class of a public or private high school (or home school) in the United States
* Overall grade point average of B (i.e. 3.0 out of 4.0) or above based on grade levels 10 through 12 at the time of application
* Plan to continue formal education beyond high school at either a two- or four-year college or vocational school

RFB&D National Headquarters Mailing Address:
20 Roszel Road
Princeton, NJ 08540

Lighthouse International 2010 Scholarship and Career Awards Program

The 2010 SCA application deadline is March 14, 2010.

Lighthouse International is now inviting applications for our 2010 Scholarship and Career Awards program. These scholarships reward academic excellence, recognize accomplishments and help students who are blind or partially sighted pursue their academic and career goals.

There are three scholarship award categories, and each carries a $5,000 prize:

* College-bound Award: for high school seniors or recent high school graduates who will attend college in the upcoming school year.
* Undergraduate Award: for college students in their freshman, sophomore, junior or senior year.
* Graduate Award: for 1st or 2nd year Masters level students or college seniors who will pursue a graduate level education.

Candidates may apply at any time immediately, prior to, or during their course of study. A total of five scholarships will be awarded across these three categories.

Applicant Criteria
We are pleased to announce that the 2010 SCA Awards are open to students in all 50 states and any US territories. Students interested in applying for a scholarship must meet the following criteria:

* Applicants must be legally blind (i.e., have a best corrected visual acuity of 20/200 or less in the better eye, and/or a visual field of less than 20 degrees in the better eye).
* Scholarships are based on academic and personal achievements. Therefore, candidates are not required to demonstrate financial need.
* Applicants must be US citizens, and reside in the United States or a US Territory.
* Applicants must attend an accredited college or university in one of the 50 states, District of Columbia or a US Territory.
* Proof of citizenship will be required of all award recipients.
* Previous SCA recipients and current Lighthouse employees and members of their immediate families are ineligible.

Lighthouse International
111 E 59th St
New York NY 10022-1202

Phone: 800.829.0500

American Council of the Blind 2010 Scholarship

The American Council of the Blind scholarship application process must be completed online. Only approved supplements will be accepted by regular mail. See the mailing address below for submission of the supporting documents. Incomplete forms will not be processed and considered for review. Please do not leave any questions blank.

Include the following with your completed application:

1. Autobiographical sketch (details found in online application)

2. Certification of legal blindness from an ophthalmologist, optometrist or physician. (This hard copy letter may be mailed.)

3. Certified transcripts from the school you are currently attending. Entering freshmen and sophomores, please include high school transcripts; graduate students, please include undergraduate transcripts. Unless extenuating circumstances exist, a 3.3 cumulative grade point average is required. (This hard copy letter may be mailed.)

4. Two letters of recommendation from a current or recent instructor, career counselor or employer. (Microsoft Word or Rich Text formats will only be accepted and can be emailed separately to: pcastillo@acb.org.)

5. Proof of acceptance from a post-secondary school. Entering and transferring students must submit a notice or letter from the admissions office certifying acceptance or consideration for admission. Students continuing at the same school attended during 2009 do not need to submit this document. (Microsoft Word or Rich Text formats are preferred and can be emailed separately to: pcastillo@acb.org.)

Completed application supplements (only) that are not able to be emailed must be postmarked no later than Monday, March 15, 2010, to:

American Council of the Blind Scholarship Program,
Attn: Patricia Castillo
2200 Wilson Boulevard,
Suite 650,
Arlington, VA 22201

Online applications must be submitted in by 11:59 PM (EST) Sunday, March 14th, 2010.

Please note: In some instances, scholarship awards may be considered taxable income by the Internal Revenue Service.

American Foundation for the Blind Scholarships

The deadline for applying for AFB's 2010 scholarships is April 30, 2010.

We are now accepting applications for the 2010 AFB scholarships.

The following scholarships are available for 2010:

Scholarships in the Field of Rehabilitation and/or Education of Persons who are Blind or Visually Impaired:
The Delta Gamma Foundation Florence Margaret Harvey Memorial Scholarship: One (1) scholarship of $1,000 to an undergraduate or graduate student in the field of rehabilitation or education of persons who are blind or visually impaired.

The Rudolph Dillman Memorial Scholarship: A one-time award not open to previous recipients. It provides four (4) scholarships of $2,500 each to undergraduates or graduates who are studying full-time in the field of rehabilitation or education of persons who are blind and/or visually impaired. One of these awards is reserved specifically for a student who presents proof of economic need (Student Aid Report required).

Scholarship for Engineering or Computer, Physical, or Life Sciences:
The Paul and Ellen Ruckes Scholarship: Provides one (1) scholarship of $1,000 to a full-time undergraduate or graduate student in the field of engineering or in computer, physical, or life sciences.

Scholarship for Literature or Music:
The R.L. Gillette Scholarship: Two (2) scholarships of $1,000 each to women who are enrolled in a full-time four-year undergraduate degree program in literature or music.

In addition to the general requirements, Gillette applicants must submit with their supporting documents:

* A performance tape/CD not to exceed 30 minutes, or a creative writing sample.

The Gladys. C. Anderson Memorial Scholarship: One (1) scholarship of $1,000 given to a female undergraduate or graduate student studying classical or religious music.

In addition to the general requirements, Anderson applicants must submit with their supporting documents:

* A performance tape/CD not to exceed 30 minutes.

The Karen D. Carsel Memorial Scholarship provides one (1) scholarship of $500 to a full-time graduate student who presents evidence of economic need. (Student Aid Report required.)

The Ferdinand Torres Scholarship provides one (1) scholarship of $2,500 to a full-time undergraduate or graduate student. Strong preference will be given to new immigrants to the United States, and to those residing in the New York City metropolitan area. To be eligible the applicant must reside in the United States, but need not be a citizen of the United States.

In addition to the general requirements, Torres applicants must submit with their supporting documents:

* Evidence of economic need
* Proof of residence in the United States (e.g. telephone bill; utility bill)
* Immigrants must include a description of country of origin and reason for coming to the U.S. (To be included in Part Four of the application essay.)

ALL supporting documentation must be collected IN ONE ENVELOPE and postmarked by the deadline date of April 30, 2010. No partial packets will be considered. No faxes will be accepted.

Mail completed AFB Scholarship application materials to:

American Foundation for the Blind
1000 Fifth Ave.
Suite 350
Huntington, WV 25701
Attn: Tara Annis

For additional information contact:

AFB Information Center
Telephone: (304) 523-8651
Toll Free: (800) 232-5463