Why Get Involved

The Smith-Kettlewell Eye Research Institute relies heavily on private funding to fulfill its crucial mission of conducting independent research. While grant funding from federal agencies fluctuates due to shifting government priorities and budgets, private funding plays a vital role in ensuring a consistent and sustained effort to address the vision challenges faced by infants, children, the elderly, and individuals with visual disabilities. Private funding is indispensable for initiating innovative projects that are deemed too uncertain to qualify for federal research grants. In fact, a majority of our groundbreaking discoveries have been made possible through private seed funds, which provide the necessary support to nurture new ideas and pave the way for subsequent government funding after proof of concept.

By offering your support, you enable the Institute to uphold its commitment to championing "out-of-the-box" thinking, fostering closer collaborations with clinical partners, hosting international symposia that attract the world's foremost experts to tackle unresolved issues, and providing training opportunities for aspiring young scientists to contribute to our research endeavors.

If you are interested in contributing to this exciting enterprise through a financial donation, we invite you to visit our Donate page.

Another crucial way to get involved and actively contribute to our mission is by participating as a subject in our research studies, which aim to gain a better understanding of vision problems and develop effective solutions. Without the participation of individuals like yourself, we would be unable to carry out the experiments necessary for advancing our knowledge! Rest assured that all our studies employ non-invasive vision testing techniques and specifically target different eye conditions and age groups based on the specific goals of each project.

If you are eager to become a research subject and make a direct impact, we encourage you to visit our Participate in a Study page on our website.

Your support, whether through financial contributions or participation in our research studies, plays a critical role in advancing our efforts to improve vision care and find innovative solutions to the challenges faced by individuals of all ages with vision impairments. Together, we can make a difference and create a brighter future for those affected by vision problems.

 

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