Healthy Vision Community Awards Applications Available Soon
Eye health education and promotion programs are happening in communities across the country and in some U.S. territories. The National Eye Institute (NEI) recognizes the importance of strengthening the capacity of community-based organizations (CBOs) to expand existing eye health education programs and start new ones.
The Healthy Vision Community Awards (HVCA) Program provides up to $10,000 in seed money to nonprofit organizations to support grassroots eye health education efforts. NEI encourages you to help make vision a health priority in your community by applying for a 2010 award or encouraging others to apply. Nonprofit organizations including, but not limited to, CBOs and groups, minority-based organizations, schools, faith-based organizations, civic and fraternal groups, and local health departments and agencies may apply. Universities and university affiliations, such as medical centers, are precluded from receiving an award directly, but are welcome to collaborate with local organizations.
Proposed projects must support the vision objectives in Healthy Vision 2010, which aim to improve the eye health of the Nation through prevention, early detection, treatment, and vision rehabilitation. Projects must focus on eye health education and promotion, be innovative, and have the potential for sustainability once funding ends.
The 2010 funding cycle is soon approaching. Mark your calendar with these important dates:
· June 29, 2009—Applications become available.
· August 31, 2009—Postmark due date for receipt of application.
· March 2010—Awardees are notified.
To learn more about the HVCA Program and how funds can be used, visit
www.healthyvision2010.nei.nih.gov/news/hvca.
To get additional ideas and to learn about other community-based eye health education programs in U.S. States and territories, visit the Healthy Vision Community Programs (HVCP) Database at http://community-based.shs.net. NEI welcomes and encourages submissions to the database on all community-based eye health efforts. If you know about a program that should be included, visit the HVCP Database link and click on Submit a Program.
