The Prevent Blindness Young Investigator Student Fellowship Awards for Female Scholars in Vision Research provides training support for future generations of outstanding female scientists committed to pursuing biomedical, behavioral or clinical research careers relevant to the mission of Prevent Blindness – to prevent blindness and preserve sight. The fellowship awards provide partial support to younger investigators, promoting the development of scientific skills that will lead to more substantial funding from other sources.
Prevent Blindness will give preference to research fellowship applications which investigate public health issues related to the burden of eye-related health and safety topics and:
- Represent the interdisciplinary nature of research.
- Help translate research findings into improvements for health.
- Target the health problems of the nation’s growing underrepresented minority populations that are not receiving adequate attention.
Fellowship Award Fund Use
Fellowship awards are specifically restricted to provide a student stipend and/or to support needs specific to the funded research project. Grants are awarded for the summer session and commence on June 15th. Awards will range from $3000-$5000 depending upon the availability of funds. It is recommended that results be presented at ARVO, the year subsequent to the completion of their project (Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO).
Preference will be given to applicants who have not received funding from this program previously.
Application Deadlines
The annual deadline for receipt of applications is February 15. All materials submitted through the application process are the property of Prevent Blindness Ohio and cannot be returned to you. Please submit your application in one PDF document to [email protected]
2024 Fellowship Application (click here)
Notification and Acceptance
Persons who apply for grants are notified of an award in writing by April 15th. A signed letter of acceptance must be returned to Prevent Blindness prior to project initialization.
Payment
Full payment of the fellowship research award will be made to the University Research Foundation or the University Department on June 15th for payment to the student in the event of a stipend or released for use to cover project related expenses. No institution overhead charges are funded by the Prevent Blindness.Release of funds is contingent upon IRB/IACC Approval. (see below)
Human Research
All applications proposing to conduct research involving human subjects must indicate that approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Board (IRB) where the research is to be undertaken. Approval date and institution must be indicated on the application or provided prior to the release of funds.
Animal Research
Investigators using animals must adhere to the ARVO resolution on the use of animals in research (Investigative Ophthalmology & Visual Sciences 31:781, 1990). Approval date, institution and the approval number from the animal care and use committee at the institution must be included on the application or provided prior to the release of funds. For complete details, please refer to the Statement for the Use of Animals in Ophthalmic and Visual Research at www.arvo.org.
Final Report
A project report on the work conducted must be submitted within 60 days of the conclusion of the award period, but no later than October 31st. Also, a brief lay description of results and potential impact for eye disorders or research is required. A final expenditure report and refund of any unused portion of the award is required with the project report.
Manuscripts and Acknowledgments
All manuscripts, abstracts, reports and other publications resulting from Prevent Blindness support must acknowledge that the study was funded (in whole or in part) by a grant from Prevent Blindness, Ohio Affiliate. Manuscripts should be forwarded to Prevent Blindness, upon acceptance, with the name of the journal in which it will be printed.
Termination
If circumstances prevent completion of the grant, Prevent Blindness must be notified immediately. A report on the work conducted to the date of termination is required. Any unused portion of the grant must be returned with a final expenditure report.
Investigator Qualifications
Applicants must be post-baccalaureate students enrolled in a masters or doctorate program, female citizens or permanent residents of the United States, and conducting their research with a recognized academic institution in the State of Ohio.
Support from Other Sources
Any source of funding that has already been secured must be declared to Prevent Blindness upon submission of the application. A list of all monies received and promised for the project must be listed on the application.
Application
Application and required materials must be e-mailed in one PDF document (except the reference letter may be sent separately), no later than February 15. Fellowship applications must be the original work of the applicant with verification of such by the student’s advisor on the application form.
You will receive verification of receipt of your application within seven business days. Please contact Laura Schwartz if you do not receive a response.
For more information, call 1-800-301-2020 ext. 112 or email [email protected].
The Fellowship Program is supported by grants including the Sarah E. Slack Prevention of Blindness Fund-Muskingum County Community Foundation.
