2010 Healthy Vision Community Awards Program

National Eye Institute (NEI), National Institutes of Health, is pleased to announce that applications for the 2010 Healthy Vision Community Awards (HVCA) program will be available June 29, 2009. This program provides funding up to $10,000 for the implementation of eye health education and promotion activities that support the Healthy Vision 2010 objectives and the Healthy People 2010 goals to reduce health disparities and improve quality of life. The focus of each program must be eye health education. The 2010 HVCA funds are not intended for research projects or to provide direct medical care.

Nonprofit organizations are encouraged to apply, including community-based organizations and agencies, minority-based organizations, schools, faith-based organizations, civic and fraternal groups, community clinics, local Agencies on Aging, and state and local health departments and agencies. Universities and university affiliations, such as medical centers and schools of optometry and ophthalmology, are precluded from receiving an award directly, but are welcome to collaborate with eligible groups, such as community-based organizations. The final selection of award recipients will be based on a combination of the evaluation score, geographic and racial/ethnic representation, and project innovation. All applications must be postmarked by Monday, August 31, 2009. Awards will be announced in March 2010.

Application forms and program information are available at www.healthyvision2010.org/news/hvca. If you have questions about the application package or eligibility requirements, please e-mail your questions or requests to HVCAmail@shs.net.

To find program ideas or to search for programs that have been funded in your state, visit the Healthy Vision Community Programs Database.