Vision Therapy Canada (VTC) Research Award Application

Research and research-based clinical evidence is a vital and key element for our profession’s growth development, and identity. This is especially true and essential for the Vision Therapy area. The Vision Therapy Canada (VTC) organization recognizes the importance and outcome of executing research-based practices for Vision Therapy in Canada as well as expanding this to a worldwide scale. The VTC research grant would be happy to support research carried out by graduate students in Canadian Universities in the areas identified by VTC research committee.

Identified Areas include:

1. Learning-Related Vision Problems (LRVP) problems diagnosis, management, and relation to the learning process.
2. Objective diagnosis of Post-Trauma Visual Symptoms (PTVS) and the impact of treatment of these symptoms and signs.
3. Guidelines for treatment of amblyopia in an adult population and predictors of success.

The purpose of this award is to answer clinically relevant questions that will have significant impact on patient care in the field of optometry, as well as to provide a mechanism for interested graduate students to perform basic or clinical research.

VTC AWARDS EVALUATION CRITERIA

Criterion #1: Research Approach (Weight: 20%)

• Clarity of the research question, rationale for the research approach and methodology.
• Suitability of the research design and methods to prove the hypothesis.
• Feasibility of the research approach (including recruitment of subjects, project timeline, preliminary data where appropriate, etc.).

Criterion #2: Alignment of research program with areas of priority of VTC (Weight: 20%)

• Priority areas of research

1. Learning-Related Vision Problems (LRVP) problems diagnosis, management, and relation to the learning process.
2. Objective diagnosis of Post-Trauma Visual Symptoms (PTVS) and the impact of treatment of these symptoms and signs.
3. Guidelines for treatment of amblyopia in an adult population and predictors of success.

Criterion #3: Applicant(s) (Weight: 20%)

• Qualifications of the applicant(s), including training, experience and registration as a Grad student independence (relative to career stage).
• Experience of the applicant(s) in the proposed area of research
• Ability to successfully and appropriately disseminate research findings, as demonstrated by knowledge translation activities (publications, conference presentations, briefings, media engagements, etc.).

Criterion #4: Impact of the Research (Weight: 20%)

• Research proposal addresses a significant need or gap in health research and/or the healthcare system.
• Evidence that the research could improve the efficiency and safety/quality access, equity and health outcomes of care for optometric patients
• Appropriateness and adequacy of the proposed plan for knowledge dissemination and exchange.
• Potential for research to be translated into practical applications AND/OR novelty of methods to be developed or applied.
• Potential for a significant contribution to the development of more effective health services and products.

Criterion 5: Matching Funding for the research to be conducted (20%) 

Submission Instructions

This application must be completed and returned to  Dr Mohamed Moussa Director of VTC research committee at: moussaeyedoctor@gmail.com by May 1st, 2023. (Incomplete or handwritten applications will not be accepted.)

Applicants should submit a Letter of Intent (LOI) in order to define their eligibility for this grant. In this letter the principal researcher and all co-researchers should be listed, as well as the name of the academic partner affiliated with the study group. The LOI must be no greater than five pages and include the following information:

• Study Objectives and Research Question / Hypothesis: Describe the objectives of the study and the research question / hypothesis posed.
• Rationale for Proposed Research: Briefly describe the important clinical problem the research is addressing and how the proposed study achieves the purpose of the Vision Therapy Canada Research Award.

Please include with your application an overview of the proposed study design and methods for evaluation.

In addition, please submit the names and CVs of the Academic Partner, Principal Researcher, and Research Team. Please include key members to the research project team, including consultants, and a description of each member’s role in the project and their corresponding affiliations / appointments.

Please attach an overview of the proposed budget for consideration by the VTC.

Project Summary (In this section): Please explain your project in terms of the evaluation criteria noted below. Please provide the requested information as an attachment to this application if the space below is not sufficient.

NOTE 1: The VTC will not provide funding support for travel associated with presenting the results of this program / project to a conference or continuing education meeting.