Best Hearing and Vision Grants in Illinois

The Ralph J. Torraco Scholarship for Therapy Sciences, provided by the UNICO Foundation, awards two scholarships valued at $2,500 each to full-time students pursuing degrees in Therapy Sciences, including physical therapy, occupational therapy, audiology, and speech-language pathology. Eligible candidates must be U.S. citizens with a minimum GPA of 3.0 and continue their studies in the 2026-2027 academic year. This scholarship promotes educational advancement within the community.

Otolaryngology residents conducting hearing-related research at eligible programs, including Chicago institutions in Illinois, can apply for American Hearing Research Foundation’s Bernard & Lottie Drazin Memorial Grants, which offer US $1,000. Focused on otorhinolaryngology and hearing disorders, these awards support resident research projects evaluated for novelty, significance, feasibility, and alignment with AHRF’s mission.

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.

Doctoral students conducting clinical or rehabilitative audiology research at full-time U.S. academic programs can apply for the Student Research Grant in Audiology, offering US $4,000 awards. Focused on hearing disorders and audiology, the American Speech Language Hearing Foundation opportunity may benefit Illinois students pursuing advanced hearing research and care innovations.

Early Stage and New Investigators conducting independent research on deafness or communication disorders in the U.S. and territories can apply for up to US $2,500,000 in R01 funding. Grants from US Dept. of Health & Human Services: National Institutes of Health support projects in areas like hearing disorders, audiology, and speech-language communication, which may benefit Illinois hearing-focused programs.

Full-time graduate audiology students in the U.S. committed to improving access to hearing-care services can apply for the Jill Botkin Hearing Health-Care Accessibility Scholarship, which awards US $5,000 for their studies. Students in at least their second academic year, including those from Illinois programs, must meet American Academy of Audiology Foundation and SAA membership requirements.

Doctoral-level audiology and hearing science researchers at nonprofit institutions in the U.S. or Canada can secure up to US $20,000 for one-year basic or applied hearing and balance research projects. With a mission to advance hearing health, American Academy of Audiology provides funding that Illinois investigators may use to study screening, quality of life, or patient safety and access.

Early-career research scientists in low- or middle-income countries with junior faculty posts can apply for the Emerging Global Leader Award, receiving approximately US $140,000 for mentored health research and career development. Funded fields include hearing and vision, cancer, cardiovascular, neurological, mental, women’s, respiratory, dental, environmental, and genetic health across eligible countries, including Illinois-based LMIC institutions.

Early-career medical and health researchers at academic or research institutions in low- or middle-income countries can apply for the Emerging Global Leader Award to support mentored clinical research careers. Grants from the National Institutes of Health help Illinois and other LMIC-based scientists advance work in areas like hearing disorders, eye diseases, mental health, cardiovascular disease, and environmental health.

Academic and clinical institutions in the U.S. and territories can obtain NIH support for research education activities that prepare clinician-scientists for careers in biomedical, behavioral, and clinical research. The program funds structured research experiences and mentoring networks, which may benefit Illinois programs focused on hearing disorders, audiology, communication disorders, and hearing impairment services, with awards up to US $2,250,000.

The Judith Blumsack Scholarship, offered by the American Academy of Audiology Foundation, awards $500 to a full-time graduate student in audiology who demonstrates exceptional clinical skills and commitment to clinical research and community service. Established in honor of Dr. Judith Blumsack upon her retirement, this scholarship acknowledges her significant contributions to the field and aims to inspire future audiologists to excel in their professional journey.

The Jerry Northern Scholarship in Pediatric Audiology, funded by the American Academy of Audiology, offers $10,000 scholarships and $500 for travel expenses to three full-time graduate students pursuing audiology programs. To qualify, applicants must be in good standing, have completed a pediatric audiology course, and be in their second academic year. This initiative celebrates Dr. Jerry Northern's commitment to advancing pediatric audiology and supports students in their professional development.

The Empowering Students Scholarship, offered by the American Academy of Audiology Foundation, provides $5,000 to six promising audiology students. This initiative, supported by the Oticon Hearing Foundation, aims to enhance diversity by designating up to $20,000 for Black students. Applicants must be full-time graduate students in good standing at a U.S. university. The scholarship emphasizes professional development, education, and research in audiology, contributing to the advancement of hearing and balance health care.

The Continued Achievement Scholarship, offered by the American Academy of Audiology Foundation, provides $2,000 to two promising audiology graduate students in the U.S. It recognizes students for their potential as clinical audiologists based on their resumes and personal statements. This scholarship aims to support full-time graduate students (AuD, PhD) in good standing, fostering their professional development and commitment to the audiology field.

The Amit Gosalia Scholarship in Private Practice Audiology, funded by the American Academy of Audiology, offers two $1,500 scholarships to full-time audiology students (AuD, PhD) who demonstrate exceptional promise and have completed their first year of studies. Eligible candidates must be enrolled at a U.S. university for the Fall 2025 semester and cannot graduate in Spring/Summer 2025. This initiative aims to support future audiologists pursuing careers in private practice.

Medical schools, teaching hospitals, and similar institutions in the U.S. and territories can access funding to provide mentored research education experiences in otolaryngology and related hearing sciences. Grants from US Dept. of Health & Human Services: National Institutes of Health support structured research experiences for medical students and residents, offering up to US $2,499,995 per award.

Established investigators conducting basic experimental studies with humans on hearing, balance, smell, taste, voice, speech, or language sciences in Illinois and other eligible U.S. locations can apply for the NIDCD Research Career Enhancement Award (K18). This NIH program supports acquiring new research skills to expand or redirect existing research programs in these areas.

Nonprofit research institutions and established investigators conducting hearing and communication disorders research in Illinois can access funding through the National Institutes of Health. US Dept. of Health & Human Services: National Institutes of Health supports hearing disorders and audiology in Illinois by enhancing investigators’ skills to advance hearing, balance, smell, taste, voice, speech, and language science programs nationwide.

Universities and research institutions conducting hearing, balance, smell, taste, voice, speech, and language science can pursue funding to enhance established investigators’ skills, including those in Illinois. US Dept. of Health & Human Services: National Institutes of Health supports K18 clinical trial projects that help investigators redirect or expand their research through new, relevant methodologies.

Physicians at academic institutions conducting clinical or basic research on auditory or vestibular diseases can apply for up to US $25,000 in project support, including in Illinois. Focused on otology and neurotology, the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery Foundation encourages early-career investigators launching innovative, clinically relevant studies that may later attract larger external funding.

Audiology graduate students pursuing full-time AuD, PhD, or AuD/PhD programs at U.S. universities and conducting hearing research can receive support for their academic work, including those from Illinois. American Academy of Audiology provides this US $500 Sadanand Singh Memorial Scholarship to one minority and/or international student showing exceptional promise in audiology research.

Postdoctoral Au.D./Ph.D. audiologists seeking mentored research and career development support in hearing disorders can apply for this NIH K01 award, with funding up to US $105,000. Grants from US Dept. of Health & Human Services: National Institutes of Health help eligible researchers in Illinois and other U.S. territories build independent, hearing-focused research careers.

Postdoctoral Au.D./Ph.D. audiologists seeking mentored research career development in hearing disorders and audiology can apply for up to US $105,000 in support, including applicants in Illinois. Grants from US Dept. of Health & Human Services: National Institutes of Health help early-career clinicians pursue rigorous biomedical, behavioral, or clinical research relevant to NIDCD’s mission.

Focused on hearing disorders and audiology, this NIH K01 award invites postdoctoral Au.D./Ph.D. audiologists in Illinois and other eligible U.S. locations to pursue rigorous research training. Eligible investigators can receive up to US $105,000 for mentored biomedical, behavioral, or clinical research career development aligned with the NIDCD mission.

The NIDCD Early Career Research (ECR) Award (R21) supports early-stage scientists in establishing independent research careers in areas such as hearing, balance, and language. This grant facilitates small, innovative research projects and aims to generate preliminary data for future R01 applications. It is not intended for thesis work and is designed to enhance research methodologies and technologies in biomedical and behavioral sciences. Applications are due by 5:00 PM local time of the applicant organization.

Professional musicians and music industry workers in Illinois facing hearing-related challenges can apply for Sweet Relief Musicians Fund’s Hearing Health Fund. Applicants must demonstrate financial need and earn at least half their income from music-related work. This support may help those needing care for hearing loss or other audiology concerns.

Early-stage biomedical and behavioral researchers conducting hearing, balance, smell, taste, voice, speech, or language studies, including those in Illinois, can apply for the NIDCD Early Career Research (ECR) Award (R21) to build preliminary data for future R01 applications. US Dept. of Health & Human Services: National Institutes of Health offers up to US $375,000 for basic, clinical, translational, outcomes, or methodology projects.