Eye Grants

National Industries for the Blind Fellowship for Leadership Development

The Fellowship for Leadership Development is a salaried, two-year track that combines business-focused, on-the-job experience with formal management training. The overall goal of the NIB Fellowship is for successful fellows to land professional and upwardly mobile managerial positions within our network of associated nonprofit businesses and the broader business community.

The new Fellowship cycle will begin September 2010. Legally blind individuals who have an undergraduate degree or higher, work experience, and passion for business are invited to apply. Fellows are selected based on academic achievement, experience, motivation, references and interviews.

Application deadline: April 20, 2010.

Already eight fellows have completed the Fellowship since 2003 and have moved to management jobs, gaining financial independence and, as business leaders, have added value at all levels of the workplace and society. The current four fellows, who will complete in April 2010, are on the path to achieve the same success. NIB expects to see more people who are blind in upper-level management and leadership positions, both within NIB’s network and in the broader business community.

For questions, contact Sandy Finley at fellowship@nib.org or 703.310.0506

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.

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

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

National Federation of the Blind 2010 Scholarship Program

Each year at its national convention in July, the NFB gives a broad array of thirty scholarships to recognize achievement by blind scholars. All applicants for these scholarships:

1. must be legally blind in both eyes, and
2. must be residing in the United States, the District of Columbia, or Puerto Rico, and
3. must be pursuing or planning to pursue a full-time, postsecondary course of study in a degree program at a United States institution in the 2010 scholastic year, except that one scholarship may be given to a person employed full-time while attending school part-time, and
4. must participate in the entire NFB national convention and in all scheduled scholarship program activities.

In addition to a scholarship, each winner will receive assistance to attend the 2010 National Federation of the Blind Annual Convention in July, providing an excellent opportunity for high level networking with active blind persons in many, many different professions and occupations.

2010 Deadline: Scholarship applications and documents must be e-mailed or postmarked no later than March 31, 2010

All questions should be directed to the Chairman. E-mail is preferred.

Mr. Anil Lewis, Chairman
NFB Scholarship Committee

NATIONAL FEDERATION OF THE BLIND
at Jernigan Place
200 East Wells Street
Baltimore, Maryland 21230
Office: (410) 659-9314, extension 2415
E-mail: scholarships@nfb.org

2011 David & Julianna Pyott Pan-American Retinal Research Fellowship

Application Deadline: February 16, 2011

NOTE: Applications MUST be submitted by email. Acceptable file formats include DOC, PDF, HTML, JPG.
Program Description: One fellowship in the amount of $20,000 per annum is offered every two years for a fully-qualified Ophthalmologist from a Latin American country outside Brazil and Mexico, to spend 2 years at the University of California, Irvine, Department of Ophthalmology as an international retina fellow participating in research and clinical work under the supervision of Dr. Baruch Kuppermann, Professor Ophthalmology. Applicants should have completed a residency in Ophthalmology, speak fluent conversational English, and be interested in a career in Retina.

Program Preceptors/Faculty:
Program Director: Baruch Kupperman MD

Applicant Qualifications: The following qualifications for a successful candidate are as follows:

1. General ophthalmologist, no more than 2 or 3 years out of his/her residency training program, from Central or South America (outside Mexico and Brazil), or the Caribbean.
2. Fluent in both written and spoken English.
3. Willing to commit for two years of training.
4. Completion of a recognized ophthalmology residency in Latin America.
5. Established medical and surgical competence.
6. Highly recommended by chairperson and training program director.
7. Commitment to return to Latin America at conclusion of fellowship training program.
8. The candidate must be a member of the PAAO.

Pan American Association of Ophthalmology
1301 S. Bowen Rd., #365
Arlington, TX 76013
Phone: (817) 275-7553
Fax: (817) 275-3961
Email: info@paao.org