Ophthalmology/Vision Science Grants

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

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

Latin American/Pan American Association of Ophthalmology Pediatric Ophthalmology Fellowship

Application Deadline: August 10, 2010

Program Description: A one or two year hands-on pediatric ophthalmology fellowship is available for one qualified Latin American ophthalmologist through the PAAO in the Department of Ophthalmology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas and its affiliated Children’s Medical Center. The position will include the opportunity for direct patient medical and surgical interactions as well as the opportunity to participate in significant clinical research activities. The candidate must be a member of the PAAO.

Program Preceptors/Faculty:
Full-time Faculty: David Weakley MD, Serena Wang MD
Community Faculty: David Stager Sr. MD, George Beauchamp MD, David Stager Jr. MD;
Cynthia Beauchamp MD
Department Chair: James McCulley MD FACS FRCOphth(UK)
Applicant Qualifications: The following qualifications for a successful candidate are as follows:

1. General ophthalmologist, age 35 years or younger, from Mexico, Central or South America, or the Caribbean.
2. Fluent in both written and spoken English. Candidates must have taken the TOEFL exam and submit their results with their application. Mandatory. Candidates will be interviewed by telephone to guage their English abilities.
3. Willing to commit for one or two years of training.
4. Completion of a recognized ophthalmology residency in Latin America.
5. Completion of at least six (6) months pediatric ophthalmology / strabismus training.
6. Established medical and surgical competence and good depth perception.
7. Highly recommended by chairperson and training program director.
8. Commitment to return to Latin America at conclusion of fellowship training program
9. The candidate must be a member of the PAAO.

Medical licensure during program: Either (1) a physician in training license, if all necessary parts of USMLE has been passed, or (2) an Assistant Visiting Professor’s license if USMLE not taken and passed.

Compensation: Salary of approximately $54,000 per year plus fringe benefits will be provided.

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

Paul Kayser International Travel Scholar Award

Up to eight (8) 2-week scholarships in the amount of $3,000 each are offered to US and Canadian candidates for the purpose of introducing exceptional North American ophthalmologists to the best practice and research approaches in Latin America. Applicants must be US or Canadian citizens. Applicants should be third year residents or first year fellows. The candidate must be a member of the PAAO.  Funding provided by Retina Research Foundation of Houston, Texas.

Please submit application materials electronically to info@paao.org. Acceptable file types are *.doc, *.pdf, *.jpg, *.xls, *.ppt. If you have any question, please contact the Administrative office (817-275-7553 or info@paao.org)

Application materials:
1. Completed application form
2. Curriculum Vitae (CV), 2-3 pages
3. Letter of interest
4. Letter of recommendation, from Program Director or Department Chair

Application Deadline: September 1, 2010

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

Gillingham Pan-American Fellowship

Two fellowships in the amount of $10,000 each are offered to qualified Latin American candidates who have been accepted into an accredited training program in the United States and Canada. The applicant should be no more than 2 to 3 years out of his/her residency program. Candidates must be ECFMG certified. The candidate must be a member of the PAAO. Funding provided by Retina Research Foundation of Houston, Texas.

Please submit application materials electronically to info@paao.org. Acceptable file types are *.doc, *.pdf, *.jpg, *.xls, *.ppt. If you have any question, please contact the Administrative office (817-275-7553 or info@paao.org)

Application materials:
1. Completed application form
2. Curriculum Vitae (CV), 2-3 pages
3. Letter of interest
4. Letter of recommendation
5. Proof of application to an accredited fellowship program
6. Proof of acceptance into an accredited fellowship program (due by February 1, 2011)

Application Deadline: September 1, 2010

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