RPB/RDPSF Innovations in Technology Low Vision Research Awards

Agency: Research to Prevent Blindness/Reader’s Digest Partners for Sight Foundation
Program: Innovations in Technology Low Vision Research Awards
Deadline: Preliminary applications are due October 19, 2015; Final applications from Invitees are due March 1, 2016

Summary:
The RPB/Reader’s Digest Partners for Sight Foundation (RDPFS) Innovations in Technology Low Vision Research Award: up to $100,000 over one year. One award will be given in each of three years.

Low vision refers to chronic vision impairment that is not correctable by eyeglasses, contact lenses, medicines or surgery. Many eye disorders can lead to low vision, including age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, and diabetic retinopathy. Injury to the eye or to a portion of the brain involved in sight can also produce low vision. Low vision significantly and negatively impacts a person’s visual activities of daily living and quality of life.

The National Eye Institute estimated that nearly 3 million people in the U.S. suffered low vision in 2010 with projections that this number would increase to nearly 5 million in 2030 and 9 million in 2050. Low vision is among the 10 most common causes of disability in the U.S. Low vision can cause difficulty in common visual tasks such as reading, mobility (both walking and driving), and recognizing people and objects.

The RPB/RDPFS Award promotes the development of assistive devices for persons with low vision and we encourage submissions as follows:

--Those with a focus on mobile and/or wearable innovations;
-- Solutions that can be implemented on multiple platforms, such as electronic tablets or phones;
-- Solutions for persons with remaining functional vision rather than those who are totally blind;
-- Environmental adaptations which can improve a visually impaired individual’s ability to perform a daily living activity;
-- Interdisciplinary collaborations that bring together technical expertise coupled with real-life experience with persons with low vision;
-- Applications from early-career investigators.

Agency website