Deadline: 7-May-23

Velux Stiftung has announced a call for proposals for Ophthalmology Research in Low- and Middle-Income Countries.

Thematic Focus

• Institutional research capacity strengthening projects: projects aiming at sustainably building, developing, or reinforcing institutional structures enabling biomedical/clinical ophthalmology research in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs).
• Interdisciplinary biomedical research projects in ophthalmology aiming to develop and validate new diagnostic, prevention, or treatment methods for eye diseases adapted to the local context and environment of LMICs. Such projects must also contribute to some extent to strengthen research capacities of the institutions in LMICs.

Vision and Goal of the Program

• Vision: Contribute to reducing visual impairments and blindness in LMICs by
  • Developing and strengthening research capacity in LMICs, reinforcing independent ophthalmology research locally in a sustainable manner. Research institutions in LMICs establish scientific reputation. Their vision is that following the development of research capacities, this will in turn indirectly contribute to attract and foster clinical expertise as well as contribute to improve health provision.
  • Inducing a change of perspective in ophthalmology research by focusing on identifying and working on the specific biomedical knowledge gaps in LMICs in relation to the local context and environment.
• Goals:
  • The projects foster and contribute to the development of local ophthalmology research centres in LMICs through partnerships, research capacity strengthening and scientific network development.
  • The projects contribute to develop the scientific expertise and reputation of the involved institutions.
  • The knowledge produced is of direct relevance for LMICs.
  • The new knowledge can be applied by the scientific community or other stakeholders for the benefit of patients and populations in LMICs in the medium to longer term.

Funding Information 

• Duration of the projects: 1 to 4 years.
• Scale of funding: from CHF 50’000 to CHF 100’000 per year, for one to four years, with at least 50% of the funding to be used in LMICs.

Eligibility Criteria

Such projects are eligible:

• Institutional research capacity strengthening projects for ophthalmology research in LMICs.
• Interdisciplinary research projects in ophthalmology also contributing to strengthen research capacities of institutions in LMICs.
• Please note that the extend of the contribution to research capacity strengthening for institutions will influence the prioritization in the project assessment.

For more information, visit Velux Stiftung.