Best Hearing and Vision Grants in Alabama

Alabama nonprofits providing medical research or care related to blindness, eye diseases, or vision impairment can access funding through the William and Helen Thomas Charitable Trust. 501(c)(3) organizations in Alabama and other eligible U.S. locations may also qualify if they serve underprivileged people, including those in Appalachia, or address related medical and educational needs.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving Alabama and the broader Southern region can seek support for health, education, family, poverty relief, and related human services projects. Focused on tangible, meaningful impact, Robinson Foundation invites established charities (3+ years) to request single-year program funding that may include hearing or vision care within its medical assistance and children and families priorities.

About the Emporia Community Foundation

Our Mission

To connect caring people with causes that build stronger communities within the Emporia area which includes Chase, Coffey, Greenwood, Lyon, Morris, Osage and Wabaunsee counties.

Sadie Jones Fund

The original focus of the Sadie Jones Fund was to provide for vision and hearing needs for individual children in Lyon and Chase counties. While the purpose has expanded, individual children are still eligible to receive assistance.

Early-career research scientists in low- or middle-income countries proposing health-related research and career development projects, including in hearing or vision, can apply for the Emerging Global Leader Award, with support of approximately US $140,000. Funded by the National Institutes of Health, this K43 award provides three to five years of mentored research time at LMIC institutions.

Full-time graduate audiology students in the U.S. committed to improving access to hearing care, including in Alabama, can apply for the Jill Botkin Hearing Health-Care Accessibility Scholarship, which awards US $5,000 for their studies. Funded by HearUSA, this American Academy of Audiology scholarship supports future providers serving geographically underserved communities.

Doctoral students conducting clinical or rehabilitative audiology research at U.S. academic programs can apply for the American Speech Language Hearing Foundation’s Student Research Grant in Audiology. Focused on advancing hearing disorders and audiology, this opportunity may benefit Alabama students pursuing full-time doctoral study and launching new audiology research projects.

Researchers with doctoral degrees in audiology or hearing science at nonprofit institutions in Alabama and across the U.S. or Canada can seek funding for one-year hearing and balance research projects. With a mission to advance hearing and balance care, American Academy of Audiology provides up to US $20,000 for basic or applied studies, prioritizing academic-clinical partnerships.

Early-career research scientists at low- or middle-income country academic or research institutions conducting clinical trials can apply for the Emerging Global Leader Award, which provides approximately US $140,000 for mentored health research career development. Grants from the National Institutes of Health help investigators studying areas like eye diseases, hearing disorders, and related health fields, including work relevant to Alabama partners.

Clinician-scientist educators and institutions developing biomedical, behavioral, or clinical research education programs can receive up to US $2,250,000 to expand research experiences and mentoring networks. The National Institutes of Health supports activities that build careers in areas such as hearing disorders, audiology, communication disorders, and related fields, including work impacting Alabama populations.

The NIDCD Early Career Research (ECR) Award (R21) supports new scientists establishing independent research careers in areas related to hearing, balance, smell, taste, voice, speech, or language. This grant encourages innovative projects such as secondary data analysis, small research initiatives, and technology development, aiming to generate preliminary data for future R01 applications. All applications must be submitted by 5:00 PM local time of the applicant organization.

The NIDCD Early Career Research (ECR) Award (R21) provides support for emerging researchers focused on hearing, balance, smell, taste, voice, speech, or language. This award is designed to help scientists establish their independent research careers and is not intended for thesis or dissertation work. The funding can be utilized for various projects, including secondary data analysis and the development of new research methodologies, facilitating the transition to larger R01 applications.

The NIDCD Mentored Career Development Award for Postdoctorate Au.D./Ph.D. Audiologists (K01) aims to support the career development of promising audiologists through rigorous postdoctoral research in biomedical, behavioral, or clinical sciences. This initiative encourages independent investigation in health-related research relevant to NIDCD's mission. Applications are due on various dates, with the next deadline on June 13, 2024, providing opportunities for advancing research in audiology and related fields.

The NIDCD Mentored Career Development Award supports postdoctoral Au.D./Ph.D. audiologists in their research and career development. This grant aims to foster independence in scientific health-related research relevant to the NIDCD's mission. Key deadlines for applications span from June 2024 to May 2027, providing numerous opportunities for eligible candidates to secure funding and advance their careers in the biomedical and clinical sciences.

The NIDCD Mentored Career Development Award for Postdoctorate Au.D./Ph.D. Audiologists (K01) aims to foster the development of promising audiologists through comprehensive postdoctoral research experiences. This funding opportunity supports individuals in biomedical, behavioral, or clinical sciences, helping them become independent researchers. The deadlines for applications span from June 2024 to May 2027, ensuring ample time for preparation and submission.

Graduate students in audiology conducting hearing research at U.S. universities, including those from Alabama, can receive US $500 to support their academic work through the Sadanand Singh Memorial Scholarship. The American Academy of Audiology awards this scholarship to one minority and/or international full-time AuD, PhD, or AuD/PhD student showing exceptional promise in audiology research.

With a mission to advance hearing and balance care, American Academy of Audiology provides U.S. graduate audiology students with a $500 Judith Blumsack Scholarship. Full-time AuD, PhD, or AuD/PhD students in at least their second year at a U.S. university, including those in Alabama, who show strong clinical skills and service may be eligible.

Full-time U.S. graduate students in audiology focused on pediatric care can receive the Jerry Northern Scholarship to advance their training. Focused on pediatric audiology, the American Academy of Audiology invites eligible students, including those studying in Alabama, to apply for US $10,000 plus travel support to attend AAA 2026+HearTECH Expo.

Full-time graduate students in audiology seeking scholarship support for clinical training can apply for the Empowering Students Scholarship, which provides US $5,000 awards. The American Academy of Audiology offers this funding nationwide, and Alabama hearing and audiology students may benefit, with a portion of funds designated specifically to support Black students.

The NIDCD Cooperative Agreement for Clinical Trials in Communication Disorders (U01) aims to support clinical trials that evaluate interventions for communication disorders. This funding opportunity encourages collaboration between NIDCD Project Scientists and investigators, focusing on trials that require FDA oversight, establish efficacy, or pose risks of harm. By fostering well-designed studies, the NIDCD seeks to advance treatment and prevention strategies in the field of communication disorders.

The NIDCD Research Dissertation Fellowship for Au.D. Audiologists (F32) supports rigorous biomedical research training and dissertation research for doctoral candidates in clinical, behavioral, or biomedical sciences. Funded by the NIH, this fellowship aims to enhance research capabilities and knowledge in the field of audiology. Key deadlines for applications include April 8, August 8, and December 8 for the years 2025 to 2027, ensuring timely opportunities for aspiring researchers.

The Hearing Health Fund, part of Sweet Relief Musicians Fund in collaboration with Sweetwater, aims to support musicians and music industry professionals facing hearing difficulties. This initiative addresses the auditory risks inherent in the music industry due to exposure to loud sounds. Eligible applicants must demonstrate financial need and prove that a significant portion of their income comes from music-related work, ensuring that assistance reaches those most affected by hearing challenges.

Donald and Mary Frink Scholarship

The scholarship provides support for students who are hearing impaired.

Award Amount:

• Minimum $1,000

Mary Jo DeVleeschower Scholarship

Mary Jo DeVleeschower was a native of South Bend, Indiana, born January 14th, 1941. She graduated in 1968 from Andrew Jackson High School in South Bend, and graduated from Ball State University in Muncie, Indiana in 1972 with a degree in “special education.” Mary Jo taught at the Alexander Graham Bell School beginning in 1972 working with students who were hearing impaired. She attended the University of Southern California (John Tracy Clinic) and received her Master’s degree in 1978 from Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio. As a teacher at the Alexander Graham Bell School, Mary Jo worked through a grant with Gallaudet University in Washington D.C. for the Wole Language Program for the hearing impaired, publishing a related article in a national magazine. Mary Jo DeVleeschower loved the children with whom she worked, and poured her whole heart into her work. She had a special relationship with her students, demonstrated on the day of her memorial when some shared a tribute to her in American Sign Language. She further demonstrated her love and support for her students through the creation of the scholarship through her will.

Award Amount:

• Minimum $500

Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area

Our Mission

The Community Foundation of the Holland/Zeeland Area seeks to ensure that our community thrives today, tomorrow, and forever by building our Community’s Endowment to support high impact charitable projects, helping donors achieve their charitable goals, and leading and partnering in community-level initiatives.

Scholarships

CFHZ awards over $1 million in scholarships each year for students to attend schools of higher education throughout the nation. Our scholarships are possible thanks to the generosity of donors who invest in our community’s future by furthering the education of others.

All Holland/Zeeland area individuals interested in post-secondary education are encouraged to apply for CFHZ scholarships.

The Foundation proudly administers over 100 scholarships, each with unique eligibility criteria that must be met before a candidate can be considered.

Holland Doctors of Audiology Scholarship

• Graduating senior, graduating early college student, or current college student who attends/attended public, private, or home school in the primary service area of the Community Foundation or in Hamilton or Saugatuck
• Enrolling/enrolled at an accredited post-secondary school within the United States
• Financial need (must submit the page of the FAFSA Submission Summary showing the Student Aid Index amount)
• Hard of hearing and hearing aid user and/or admitted and enrolling/enrolled at an accredited program in audiology (graduate-level candidates)
• Hard of hearing and hearing aid user and/or interested in studying audiology or hearing science (undergraduate-level candidates)
• Involvement in the school’s music program preferred.
• Potentially renewable for three additional years.

Every Battle Creek area resident shall have the resources to access post-secondary education and training.

Your dreams matter — and we want to help you achieve them. Whether you’re a graduating high school senior, an adult returning to school, or a graduate student pursuing advanced education, we’re here to support you by opening doors to opportunity.

Beyond tuition, many funds support total cost of attendance — books, fees, equipment, and in some cases childcare or transportation.

Checks are made payable to the educational institution indicated on the follow-up and mailed directly to the educational institution. Checks are typically mailed in early August.

Kristin & Michael Bauman Scholarship Fund

Kristin Bauman, as a teacher and consultant, taught hearing impaired students in Pennsylvania and Calhoun County, Michigan for over 30 years. She had lost the majority of her own hearing in her youth which served to motivate her to help others with this disability. After retiring, she was approached by a former hearing impaired student who as an adult, wished to return to college. Kristin was reminded of how difficult it was to find the financial resources to go to college. In researching the scholarships available to students with disabilities, she found there were few scholarships offered for students with disabilities especially within the Calhoun County, Michigan area. Students with hearing impairments have to work harder than most to not only obtain but succeed in higher education. Kristin and her family would like to help hearing impaired students, as well as their future teachers, make higher education a reality through this scholarship.

Clinical audiologists pursuing Ph.D. training and interested in hearing health research can seek support for rigorous biomedical, behavioral, or clinical research through this fellowship, available in Alabama and other U.S. jurisdictions. With a mission to advance hearing health care, US Dept. of Health & Human Services: National Institutes of Health provides research-focused audiologists with comprehensive training opportunities.

About the ASHFoundation

ASHFoundation supports innovators and sparks innovation in communication sciences. We give early support to promising students, researchers, and clinicians exploring bold ideas to transform the field and improve people's lives.

Artificial Intelligence in Communication Sciences and Disorders Research Grant

About

The American Speech-Language-Hearing Foundation (ASHFoundation) invites investigators to submit proposals for up to four research grants ranging from $25,000 to $50,000. The Artificial Intelligence in Communication Sciences and Disorders Research Grant (AI in CSD Research Grant) supports interdisciplinary studies that advance the ethical, clinically and scientifically grounded application and integration of artificial intelligence (AI) into communication sciences and disorders (CSD) practice and service delivery. Funding may be applied to one- or two-year studies.

Specific Objectives of the Funding Opportunity

As part of this initiative, the ASHFoundation invites proposals that implement AI technologies to transform clinical practice, education, and research in CSD. Proposals that are submitted under this funding opportunity must meet the following:

• Include interdisciplinary research teams that integrate clinicians and AI researchers,
• Address clinically relevant questions or have a clear translational potential, and
• Cover one or more of the following priority areas: AI-driven assessment and diagnosis; personalized and adaptive interventions; equitable access to care; data infrastructure for predictive analytics; technology innovation; prevention for public health; and ethical standards for AI integration.