Creative Thinkers with Bold Ideas: Prize Competition to Identify Audacious Goals

Notice Number: NOT-EY-13-001

Release Date: August 29, 2012

National Eye Institute (NEI)

This Challenge seeks input from all eligible individuals - not just vision research scientists (see www.nei.nih.gov/challenge for Eligibility Rules).

The National Eye Institute (NEI) has launched the Challenge to Identify Audacious Goals in Vision Research and Blindness Rehabilitation (Challenge) to stimulate innovation in establishing a national vision research agenda. This Challenge seeks ~1-page entries (4000 characters maximum, including spaces) from the general public, not just those typically engaged in vision research. The challenge calls for submission of audacious goals in any area relevant to NEI's mission to conduct and support research, training, health information dissemination, and other programs with respect to blinding eye diseases, visual disorders, mechanisms of visual function, preservation of sight, and the special health problems and requirements of the blind (42 U.S.C. 285i).

The NEI will select up to 20 winners to receive a $3,000 cash prize and will host the winners at the NEI Audacious Goals Development Meeting (February 24-26, 2013) to present and discuss their winning entries with a broad audience of scientists, NEI staff, and other stakeholders. This challenge will generate valuable contributions from NEI's many and varied stakeholders to inform the Institute's strategic plan, energize the Institute's research efforts, increase public awareness of vision research, and enhance the national effort to reduce the burden of ocular disorders and diseases worldwide.

For more information and to submit your ~1-page Audacious Goal online, visit: www.nei.nih.gov/challenge. The submission deadline is November 12, 2012.

Richard S. Fisher, Ph.D.
Associate Director for Science Policy and Legislation
National Eye Institute
Phone: 301-496-4308
NEIPlan@mail.nih.gov