Project description
Enhancing the societal participation of the visually impaired
At least 2.2 billion people around the world experience vision impairment or blindness, of whom at least one billion have a condition that could have been prevented or has yet to be addressed. The EU-funded OptiVisT project will develop the tools and deliver the training needed to ensure individuals with vision impairment can participate in wider society and to their fullest potential. Fifteen early-stage researchers will be trained to become the next generation of specialists in translational vision science. They will learn how to quantify the visual demands of daily living activities and use their new insights to design objective, effective and easy to use tests and tools of functional vision.
Objective
OptiVisT’s key mission is to enhance the societal participation of individuals with vision impairment through innovative and inclusive care. To achieve this, we need new knowledge as well as new, innovative tests to assess functional visual abilities, and develop tools to train and augment them. We thus need Translational Vision Scientists, with expertise in vision science, technology and healthcare. Such scientists are in great demand, but scarce, because there is as yet no specialist training program.
OptiVisT arose from the realization that we can only meet this need by joining forces across Europe and integrating our pioneering efforts. We will train 15 early stage researchers (ESRs) to become the pivotal next generation of specialists in Translational Vision Science, ready to take on leading positions to the benefit of healthcare, industry and science. Our consortium offers all the essential components to nurture this new generation of cutting-edge scientists: they will learn how to quantify the visual demands of activities of daily living and to use their new insights to design objective, effective and easy-to-use tests and tools of functional vision. These must also be of an inclusive nature so that also vulnerable people with vision impairment can use them. Experts in the application, evaluation and valorization of solutions will ensure that our ESRs also know how to make their new tests and tools succeed in the real world. Thus, we will equip the ESRs with a unique portfolio of skills and competences, well-balanced for both academic and non-academic careers. Their skills are urgently needed to remove the roadblocks that presently limit progress in the translational vision field. Our innovative research program will guarantee that ESRs can make a real difference to the lives of the millions of people with vision impairment in Europe, by improving their opportunities to work, play sports, and participate in wider society, to their fullest potential.
Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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H2020-EU.1.3. - EXCELLENT SCIENCE - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions
MAIN PROGRAMME
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H2020-EU.1.3.1. - Fostering new skills by means of excellent initial training of researchers
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
MSCA-ITN - Marie Skłodowska-Curie Innovative Training Networks (ITN)
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) H2020-MSCA-ITN-2020
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
9713 GZ Groningen
Netherlands
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.