$500,000 in grants on offer for contact lens researchers

The awards program, now in its fifth year, is designed to foster partnerships between award recipients and CooperVision scientists to explore new advances in contact lens technology, and enable the translation of concepts into real world solutions.“The contact lens advancents underpinning CooperVision’s outstanding product portfolio are the result of both our own and external technologies,” Coopervision chief technology officer Mr Arthur Banks said.“We are constantly looking for the next innovation, to accelerate the discovery of new technology. Those innovative ideas born from past S&T Awards have already transformed our approach to helping improve the way people see each day. We are excited to see this year’s proposals and partner with these new scientists to work toward bringing their concepts to life.”There are several main focus areas for the S&T awards. They include research on visual fatigue associated with the use of digital devices, and strategies to improve ocular surface and contact lens comfort. Technologies that expand the functionality of contact lenses for applications beyond conventional vision correction is another area covered by the awards.The contest is open to researchers from all over the world and not limited to vision research in general. Researchers have until the end of May to submit letters of intent, with a maximum of three for each applicant. Once approved, applicants will have until August 25 to submit their full proposals.There are two award types; the CooperVision Seedling Award, where winning proposals may receive up to $100,000 in research funding and; the Translational Research Award, which can provide funding support for up to two years totalling $400,000. Winning proposals for this award may request a maximum of $250,000 for the first year, which can be considered for renewal at the end of the initial research timeframe.Additional details regarding the awards are available here.