- Vision Award
António Champalimaud
Vision Award
The António Champalimaud Vision Award is supported by the ‘Vision 2020 - The Right to Sight’ global initiative for blindness prevention, launched in collaboration with the World Health Organisation and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB).
The Award is presented once a year, alternating between major advances in research related to vision and/or the restoration of sight (in even years) and contributions to the fight against blindness and visual impairment, primarily in developing regions (in odd years). Productive laboratories/organisations, including collaborative efforts involving groups from more than one institution or domain, can be nominated or apply for the Award.
The 2024 António Champalimaud Vision Award invites applications and nominations under a widened scope, until December 31st, 2023.
The Award recognises active research groups involved in basic or clinical research which has led to a major breakthrough in the understanding and/or the preservation of vision. It also recognises groups that have developed innovations or new technologies with impact on the quality of life of the blind and visually impaired, which can be accessed by people in the developing world.
Candidates will be considered for the outstanding quality and distinction of their original research contributions, the contemporary relevance of their work, and the impact of their achievements.
The Award jury is composed of a distinguished panel of world-renowned international researchers and prominent individuals recognised by their dedication to meeting the needs of the developing world.
For more information, see the application Forms and Guidelines here.
Application
Vision Award
A global initiative
Candidate eligibility
Award candidates may be leading laboratories, organisations, or projects resulting from collaborative efforts, dedicated to vision research (1); the preservation and restitution of vision or to the facilitation of access to such measures by underserved populations (2); fighting blindness in the field (3); and the development of new technologies to assist the visually impaired (4). Candidates can be from more than one discipline or institution.
Participation process
The Award is presented once a year, alternating between major advances in research related to vision and/or the restoration of sight (in even years) and contributions to the fight against blindness and visual impairment, primarily in developing regions (in odd years). Productive laboratories/organisations, including collaborative efforts involving groups from more than one institution or domain, can be nominated or apply for the Award.
Award entry form
Entry forms are made available online every year. After being completed, they must be received by the Foundation by December 31st of the year preceding that of the Award. Adjoining material will be accepted during the first half of the month of January of the year of the Award, provided that candidates/nominators notify the Champalimaud Foundation of the submission.
Follow-up of submitted applications
After receiving the forms and entry material, the Champalimaud Foundation may contact the candidates and/or their nominators to request additional information. Entries will be active for 3 award cycles, and Candidates/Nominators may send an update sheet and/or update the form, bibliography and letters accordingly. Not having being contacted after application/nomination does not mean that a candidate is not being considered by the jury.
The Award
The €1,000,000 Award can be used in any way that contributes to the invaluable contributions of the winning group/organisation without restriction (except commercial purposes). This could be furthering basic, translational or clinical research, clinical practice or public health programmes.
The Award Laureates are announced every year in September directly on the Foundation’s website and social media.
If you have any questions or need additional information you can contact us at:
T (+1) 617 959 5277 (EUA)
T (+351) 210 480 200 (Portugal, ext. 4225 or 4237)
Email: award@fchampalimaud.org
The 2023 António Champalimaud Vision Award recognizes an Eye Hospital Group that has treated hundreds of thousands of people for blindness regardless of ethnicity, religion or economic means, with a longstanding operation in East Jerusalem, the Westbank and Gaza.
Jury Members
Vision Award
A distinguished global panel
The Award jury is composed of a select panel of world-renowned international scientists and outstanding public figures who have dedicated their lives to solving the problems, and meeting the needs, of the developing world.
Jury Members
Vision Award
Alfred Sommer
President
Amartya Sen
Carla Shatz
Gullapalli N. Rao
José Cunha-Vaz
Joshua Sanes
Mark Bear
Paul Sieving
Susumu Tonegawa
Awardees
Vision Award
2023
2023 António Champalimaud Vision Award
The António Champalimaud Vision Award 2023 distinguished St. John of Jerusalem Eye Hospital for their fight against blindness in the Middle East
During a ceremony presided over by the President of the Portuguese República, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, the recipient of the 2023 António Champalimaud Vision Award was announced. This award recognised the St. John of Jerusalem Eye Hospital Group for their remarkable work in supporting hundreds of thousands of people in the Gaza Strip, West Bank, and East Jerusalem. Their efforts have been crucial in the battle against blindness and ensuring access to essential health services in a region marked by conflict and instability. The announcement took place in the presence of international guests and the Champalimaud family.
