Who May Apply?

Nonprofit organizations including, but not limited to, community-based organizations (CBOs) and groups, minority-based organizations, schools, faith-based organizations, civic and fraternal groups, and local health departments and agencies may apply. Universities and university affiliations, such as medical centers, are precluded from receiving an award directly, but are welcome to collaborate with CBOs. The Healthy Vision Community Awards are limited to health education programs occurring within the U.S. and its territories.

How Can My Agency/Group Use the Funds?

Projects must focus on eye health education and promotion activities. Only those expenses deemed appropriate for use of government funds will be considered for support. Funding is available for, but not limited to, consultant fees, project-specific supplies, project staff salaries, local travel, and community-based education and promotion activities.

Funding is not available for the following:

• Direct medical care, follow-up care, or eye examinations.
• Purchase of personal eyewear.
• Purchase of eye examination and screening equipment.
• Vouchers for professional services, such as eye examinations or eyewear.
• Creation of new organizations.
• Fundraising.
• Subgranting or regranting.
• Indirect costs/institutional overhead. "Indirect costs" are those not readily identifiable with a particular cost objective, but are necessary to the general operation of a nonprofit organization and the conduct of the activities it performs.

What is the Award Period?

The award period is 12 months, beginning when the subcontract agreement with ICF Macro is signed.

How Do Organizations Apply?

Applications for a 2010 award are currently being accepted and are due August 31. Applications must be completed in full to be considered for a 2010 award. All application materials can be found here.

How Will Applications be Reviewed?

The review process will be administered entirely by ICF Macro and it will include primary and secondary review panels of optometrists, ophthalmologists, and health education specialists.

The primary focus of the proposed project must be eye health education and promotion. Each application will be evaluated according to these criteria (100 total points).

1. Project Approach and Activities (40 points): A statement of your project objectives, your key activities, a description of project sustainability once funding ends, and a timeline of key activities. Describe in detail what makes your project innovative and/or unique to your community.
2. Project Director/Collaborations (20 points): A brief description of who will direct the project, including a resume of his/her skills and experience (a maximum of two pages) and a description of the role of collaborators on your project. Please list the names and contacts of community groups collaborating with you on the project. The number of collaborations is not limited. However, you must provide at least two letters of support that specifically outline how you will work with your collaborators. A brief description of the screeners that will be used under the project and documentation of each screener's qualifications is required for all projects with a screening component. (Note: Letters of support are not subject to the narrative application page limit.)
3. Project Effectiveness (40points): A description of your project measurement processes. You will be asked to describe how you will meet the objectives listed in the Project Approach section of your application. Describe how you will measure the effectiveness of the proposed strategies, the effectiveness of your collaborators, and the sustainability of your program once HVCA funds have ended.
4. Budget (0 points): A detailed, line-item budget and justification of the funding amount requested. A budget template is provided. You will be asked to provide details on your proposed personnel and other direct costs. The budget template provides a detailed listing of what is not fundable under this award. While points will not be given for the budget, complete budgets are still required and will be reviewed and considered part of the entire application. A complete set of instructions on how to develop your budget is outlined on the budget template. Should you have any questions while developing your budget, please email HVCAmail@shs.net.

Please note: Award recipients can obtain free materials from NEI to use for their projects. Please consider this in budgets and project descriptions if you plan to develop materials as a part of your project. Please see the section on Additional Resources.

The final selection of award recipients will be based on the evaluation score, geographic and racial/ethnic representation, health education component, project innovation, documented financial sustainability, and availability of funds.

How Will the Award be Administered?

Funds will be administered by ICF Macro. Each awardee will enter into a subcontracting agreement directly with ICF Macro. Upon completion of the subcontract agreement with ICF Macro, 85 percent of the award will be paid to the awardee. The balance will be paid upon completion of the project and submission of the required reports.

How Can I Get My Questions Answered?

If you have questions about the application package or eligibility requirements, you can email them to HVCAmail@shs.net.