CooperVision announced the relaunch of its Science and Technology Awards Program, introducing a rolling submission model designed to accelerate and expand scientific collaboration. This year’s effort will focus on myopia, with a call for Seedling Award proposals that support innovative early-stage research in the following topic areas:

• Developing new ideas and technologies that could revolutionize myopia prevention and control; 
• Identifying biomarkers that could forecast patient’s response to various myopia treatments
• New approaches to understand the underlying mechanisms of myopia onset, progression, and control; 
• Exploring structural and optical changes associated with myopia control treatment of young (< 7 years old) myopes; or 
• Understanding factors influencing therapy selection of patients beginning myopia control treatment.

The updated structure is a shift from previous years in which CooperVision issued annual calls. Now, researchers can submit full proposals year-round in response to specific focus areas. According to CooperVision, the change will involve a more thorough review process up front, resulting in quicker funding decisions. 

Submissions are currently limited to Seedling Awards, as part of an initial pilot under the new format. Seedling Awards are designed to catalyze fresh collaborations, novel ideas, and early-stage concepts in myopia-related science and are available to postdoctoral fellows, and young and established investigators. Each award provides up to $100,000 in funding over a 1-year period. 

For more information and to review submission guidelines, visit coopervision.com/our-company/science-and-technology-awards.