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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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 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 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 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.

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 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.

With a mission to advance hearing health, the National Institutes of Health provides Kentucky clinical audiologists in Ph.D. programs with research training support in hearing disorders and audiology. This forthcoming NIDCD fellowship will fund rigorous biomedical, behavioral, or clinical research training; applications are not yet being accepted, allowing time to build collaborations and projects.