CooperVision has announced the relaunch of its Science and Technology Awards Program, unveiling a rolling submission model aimed at broadening scientific collaboration and expediting research in vision care. The updated format allows researchers to submit proposals throughout the year, a departure from the program’s previous annual call for entries.

This year’s initiative will focus on myopia, inviting proposals for Seedling Awards—grants intended to support innovative, early-stage research. Areas of interest include the development of new ideas and technologies for myopia prevention and control, identification of biomarkers to predict treatment responses, exploration of the mechanisms behind myopia onset and progression, examination of treatment effects in young children under 7 years old, and research into factors affecting therapy selection for new myopia control patients.

The transition to a continuous submission format is designed to streamline the application process and enable faster funding decisions through a more detailed upfront review.

“By fostering ongoing collaboration, the Science and Technology Awards aim to support a continuous pipeline of new ideas and collaborations that advance scientific discovery, driving meaningful progress in contact lens research and development and innovation over the years,” says Francis Erard, vice president, research and development, CooperVision. “This is especially timely as the need for new insights and approaches to managing myopia grows globally.”

Currently, the program is accepting only Seedling Award applications as part of an initial pilot phase under the revised structure. These awards offer up to $100,000 in funding over one year and are open to postdoctoral fellows as well as early-career and established investigators.

Since its inception in 2014, CooperVision’s Science and Technology Awards Program has awarded more than $2.6 million in Seedling and Translational Award grants. The program is available to researchers with principal investigator status holding an OD, MD, PhD, or equivalent degree. Postdoctoral fellows with an approved principal investigator waiver may also apply.

For submission guidelines and further information, click here.