Best Hearing and Vision Grants in Kentucky

Kentucky nonprofits focused on vision health and related eye diseases can access funding through the William and Helen Thomas Charitable Trust to support medical research, treatment, and care. 501(c)(3) organizations serving underprivileged or medically needy populations, including those in Appalachia, may be eligible for projects improving diagnosis, prevention, and services for eye conditions.

Nonprofit 501(c)(3) organizations serving communities in Kentucky and the broader Southern region can seek support for health, education, poverty relief, and related human services projects. Focused on tangible impact, Robinson Foundation invites established single-year projects that may include medical assistance or support services for people with hearing or vision challenges.

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.

Full-time graduate audiology students in the U.S. focused on improving access to hearing-care services can apply for a US $5,000 scholarship supporting their education and impact. The American Academy of Audiology awards this to students committed to underserved communities, which may include those planning to serve Kentucky residents with hearing disorders or impairment.

Early-career research scientists in low- or middle-income countries working on hearing, vision, or other health-related research can apply for the Emerging Global Leader Award, with approximately US $140,000 to support mentored career development. Funded by the National Institutes of Health, this award supports three to five years of protected research time at an LMIC institution.

Early-career clinical and public health researchers at low- or middle-income country institutions conducting hearing, vision, or related health research can access funding through the Emerging Global Leader Award, supported by the National Institutes of Health. Grants provide approximately US $140,000 over three to five years for mentored career development leading toward research independence.

Academic and research institutions in Kentucky and across the U.S. can secure NIH support for research education programs that prepare clinician-scientists for careers in biomedical, behavioral, and clinical sciences, with awards up to US $2,250,000. Programs focused on hearing disorders, audiology, communication disorders, or hearing impairment services may be especially competitive.

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

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, with awards of US $4,000. Students in Kentucky whose full-time doctoral work addresses hearing disorders or hearing impairment care may be strong candidates.

The NIDCD Research Career Enhancement Award (K18) supports established investigators in enhancing or redirecting their research efforts. This program is crucial for acquiring new skills relevant to hearing, balance, smell, taste, voice, speech, and language sciences. Key deadlines for applications span from June 2024 to February 2027, including specific dates for AIDS-related grants, ensuring timely funding opportunities for innovative research.

Established investigators conducting research on hearing, balance, smell, taste, voice, speech, or language sciences in the U.S., including Kentucky, can seek funding to gain new research skills and enhance their programs. US Dept. of Health & Human Services: National Institutes of Health offers this career enhancement K18 award to help redirect or expand existing research portfolios.

Established investigators at eligible research institutions in Kentucky and nationwide can apply for National Institutes of Health K18 awards to expand or redirect their work through new research skills. Funding supports independent basic experimental studies with humans on hearing, balance, smell, taste, voice, speech, and language, which may benefit hearing-focused programs in Kentucky.

Audiology students focused on hearing disorders and audiology who are enrolled full-time at a U.S. university, including those from Kentucky, can receive the Amit Gosalia Scholarship in Private Practice Audiology to support their studies; awards are US $1,500. Grants from American Academy of Audiology help future clinical audiologists pursuing private practice careers.

Full-time graduate students in audiology at U.S. universities can receive the Continued Achievement Scholarship to advance their clinical training in hearing and balance care. With a mission to advance hearing health, American Academy of Audiology provides promising future audiologists, including those serving Kentucky communities, with US $2,000 toward their professional development.

Full-time graduate students in audiology at U.S. universities can receive US $5,000 scholarships supporting their clinical audiology training, including those studying in Kentucky. The American Academy of Audiology Foundation’s Empowering Students Scholarship, funded by Oticon Hearing Foundation, prioritizes students showing strong clinical promise, with a portion of funds designated for Black students in hearing disorders and audiology.

Full-time graduate students in U.S. audiology programs focusing on pediatric audiology can receive scholarship support for their studies and professional development, including those from Kentucky. Focused on pediatric hearing care, the American Academy of Audiology awards US $10,000 plus travel funds to attend the AAA 2026+HearTECH Expo in San Antonio.

Full-time graduate students in audiology at U.S. universities who demonstrate strong clinical skills, research promise, and service may receive the Judith Blumsack Scholarship for hearing and balance care. With a mission to advance audiology, the American Academy of Audiology provides $500 to one qualifying student, which may benefit those serving Kentucky communities.

Full-time graduate students in audiology at U.S. universities who are minorities and/or international students can receive the Sadanand Singh Memorial Scholarship to support hearing research; awards are US $500. American Academy of Audiology provides Kentucky hearing disorders and audiology students with recognition for exceptional research promise through this scholarship opportunity.

The Hearing Health Foundation's Emerging Research Grants (ERG) program supports innovative research in hearing and balance, providing up to $50,000 per year for promising projects. Since 1958, it has fostered early-career researchers and led to significant advancements in the field. Eligible applicants must be affiliated with U.S. institutions and hold relevant advanced degrees. The program emphasizes underfunded areas and encourages applications that expand knowledge and research capabilities in hearing health.

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.

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 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 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 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.

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.

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.

Frank R. Kleffner Lifetime Clinical Career Award

The Frank R. Kleffner Lifetime Clinical Career Award recognizes an individual’s outstanding contributions to communication sciences and disorders over a period of at least 20 years. The lifetime contribution may have been in clinical service, supervision or administration of clinical service, clinical research, or any other activity that has promoted clinical excellence.

The award is given in honor of Frank R. Kleffner, a former ASHFoundation president and former ASHA president, who worked tirelessly over his lifetime until his passing in 2015 to professionalize and expand the ASHFoundation’s charitable goals.

The awardee receives a commemorative art object with a recognition plaque.

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.