Best Hearing and Vision Grants in Missouri

Focused on otolaryngology research, American Hearing Research Foundation invites medical residents to seek support for hearing-related projects; awards US $1,000 to eligible applicants. Residents must be in specified programs in Illinois, Missouri, Florida, or Texas, and proposals are judged on novelty, significance, feasibility, and alignment with AHRF’s mission.

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.

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 U.S. academic programs can apply for funding from the American Speech Language Hearing Foundation, including those studying in Missouri. Focused on hearing disorders and impairment services, this program offers up to three grants of US $4,000 each for full-time students.

Researchers proposing projects on hearing and communication disorders in Missouri and other eligible U.S. locations can apply for National Institutes of Health R01 funding, with awards up to US $2,500,000. Grants from National Institutes of Health help early stage and new investigators from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds advance independent studies in NIDCD mission areas.

Full-time graduate audiology students focused on improving access to hearing-care services, including those serving Missouri communities, can apply for the Jill Botkin Hearing Health-Care Accessibility Scholarship, which awards US $5,000 for their studies. Offered by the American Academy of Audiology and funded by HearUSA, it supports students committed to underserved areas.

Doctoral-level audiology and hearing science researchers at nonprofit institutions can receive up to US $20,000 for one-year hearing and balance research projects, including Missouri-based investigators. With a mission to advance hearing and balance care, American Academy of Audiology provides funding that may benefit projects on hearing screening, patient safety, and access to audiology services.

Early-career research scientists at academic or research institutions in low- and middle-income countries can apply for the Emerging Global Leader Award to secure protected time and support for mentored health research careers. This NIH Fogarty program funds three- to five-year projects, including work on eye diseases, vision, and hearing disorders, that address national health priorities.

Early-career research scientists at low- or middle-income country academic or research institutions conducting clinical trials in areas like eye diseases, hearing disorders, or other health conditions can apply for the Emerging Global Leader Award, offering approximately US $140,000. Grants from the National Institutes of Health help Missouri-connected and other LMIC investigators build independent research careers over three to five years.

Eligible U.S. and territory-based institutions offering biomedical, behavioral, or clinical research education can receive up to US $2,250,000 to develop programs that engage and mentor clinician-scientists in NIDCD-related fields. The National Institutes of Health supports research education in areas such as hearing disorders, audiology, and communication disorders, which may benefit Missouri hearing-focused programs.

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 Missouri and other U.S. jurisdictions can seek funding to provide mentored research education for otolaryngology residents and medical students. Grants from US Dept. of Health & Human Services: National Institutes of Health support research experiences in hearing disorders, audiology, and related biomedical, behavioral, and clinical sciences, with awards up to US $2,499,995.

Established investigators conducting basic experimental studies with humans on hearing, balance, smell, taste, voice, speech, or language sciences in Missouri can apply for the NIDCD Research Career Enhancement Award (K18). This NIH program supports researchers seeking new skills to expand or redirect their communication and hearing-related research programs; national applicants are also eligible.

Established research investigators in hearing, balance, smell, taste, voice, speech, and language sciences can seek funding to acquire new research skills and enhance or redirect their programs. US Dept. of Health & Human Services: National Institutes of Health supports hearing-related research nationwide, and Missouri investigators may be eligible to apply under this NIDCD K18 mechanism.

Missouri research institutions and established investigators seeking to enhance work in hearing and related communication disorders can pursue funding for clinical trial–required career development projects. US Dept. of Health & Human Services: National Institutes of Health supports research on hearing, balance, smell, taste, voice, speech, and language, with eligibility extending across the U.S. territories including Missouri-based programs.

Physician-researchers at Missouri institutions conducting clinical or basic science studies on auditory or vestibular diseases can apply for up to US $25,000 in research support from the American Academy of Otolaryngology - Head & Neck Surgery Foundation. Focused on hearing disorders and related neurotology, this award helps early-career academic investigators launch projects with clear clinical relevance.

The American Academy of Audiology provides Missouri hearing disorders and audiology students with a US $500 Sadanand Singh Memorial Scholarship for graduate-level research promise. Full-time minority and/or international AuD, PhD, or AuD/PhD students in good standing at a U.S. university may be eligible, including those whose work supports hearing and vision needs in Missouri.

Postdoctoral Au.D./Ph.D. audiologists pursuing biomedical, behavioral, or clinical research relevant to hearing disorders can seek mentored career development support through this NIH K01 award, available in Missouri and other U.S. territories. Grants from US Dept. of Health & Human Services: National Institutes of Health help early-career researchers build skills toward independent, health-related research careers, with awards up to US $105,000.

Grants help Missouri postdoctoral Au.D./Ph.D. audiologists pursue mentored research careers in hearing disorders and related biomedical, behavioral, or clinical sciences. Funded by the National Institutes of Health, this K01 award supports rigorous postdoctoral training and clinical trials for investigators working in areas relevant to the NIDCD mission; awards up to US $105,000.

Postdoctoral Au.D./Ph.D. audiologists pursuing biomedical, behavioral, or clinical hearing research can access mentored career development funding that includes Missouri through the National Institutes of Health. Focused on hearing disorders and professional training, these K01 awards support rigorous research and career development experiences for investigators working in areas relevant to the NIDCD mission, with awards up to US $105,000.

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.

Musicians and music industry workers in Missouri and across the U.S. facing hearing-related challenges can apply for Sweet Relief Musicians Fund’s Hearing Health Fund. Eligible applicants must show financial need and earn at least half their income from music-related work, making this a potential resource for those needing hearing care support.

Early-career biomedical and behavioral researchers studying hearing, balance, smell, taste, voice, speech, or language can apply for up to US $375,000 in NIDCD Early Career Research (R21) funding, including applicants in Missouri. The US Dept. of Health & Human Services: National Institutes of Health supports basic, clinical, translational, and technology-development projects in hearing disorders and related communication fields.