- Vision Award
António Champalimaud
Vision Award
The António Champalimaud Vision Award is supported by the ‘Vision 2020 - The Right to Sight’ global initiative for blindness prevention, launched in collaboration with the World Health Organisation and the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB).
The Award is attributed every year, recognising research contributions in the field of vision and contributions to the relief of vision problems, primarily in developing countries. Productive laboratories/organisations, including collaborative efforts involving groups from more than one institution or domain, can apply for the Award.
The 2023 António Champalimaud Vision Award invites applications and nominations under a widened scope. The Award is enlarged to institutions, organisations and groups that have developed innovations or new technologies with impact on the quality of life of the blind and visually impaired, and which can be accessed by people in the developing world.
In addition, and as before, the 2023 Vision Award is open to organisations with outstanding contributions towards the prevention and alleviation of blindness and visual impairment, in developing countries.
Candidates will be considered by a distinguished international jury for the quality and distinction of their work; their achievements and the measurable impact of their pursuit; as well as the enduring amplifying effects of their activities.
The Award jury is composed of a select panel of world-renowned international scientists and outstanding public figures who have dedicated their lives to solving the problems, and meeting the needs, of the developing world.
Application
Vision Award
A global initiative
Candidate eligibility
Leading laboratories, organisations, or projects resulting from collaborative efforts, dedicated to vision research, the preservation and restitution of vision, or to the facilitation of access to such measures by underserved populations, fighting blindness in the field, and the development of new technologies to assist the visually impaired are encouraged to apply. Candidates can be from more than one discipline or institution.
Participation process
The Award is attributed every year to contributions to the relief of vision impairment and new technologies for the blind (mainly in developing countries) and to contributions to research achievements in vision research.
Award entry form
Entry forms are made available online. After being completed, they must be received by the Foundation by January 15th of the year preceding that of the Award.
Follow-up of submitted applications
After receiving the entry forms, the Champalimaud Foundation may contact the candidates and/or their nominators to request additional information.
The Award
The € 1,000,000 Award can be used in any way that contributes to the invaluable contributions of the winning group/organisation.
If you have any questions or need additional information you can contact us at:
T (+1) 617 959 5277 (EUA)
T (+351) 210 480 200 (Portugal)
Email: award@fchampalimaud.org
The 2023 António Champalimaud Vision Award recognizes an Eye Hospital Group that has treated hundreds of thousands of people for blindness regardless of ethnicity, religion or economic means, with a longstanding operation in East Jerusalem, the Westbank and Gaza.
Jury Members
Vision Award

A distinguished global panel
The Award jury is composed of a select panel of world-renowned international scientists and outstanding public figures who have dedicated their lives to solving the problems, and meeting the needs, of the developing world.
Jury Members
Vision Award

Alfred Sommer
President

Amartya Sen

Carla Shatz

Gullapalli N. Rao

Graça Machel

Jacques Delors

José Cunha-Vaz

Joshua Sanes

Mark Bear

Paul Sieving

Susumu Tonegawa
Awardees
Vision Award
2023
2023 António Champalimaud Vision Award
The António Champalimaud Vision Award 2023 distinguished St. John of Jerusalem Eye Hospital for their fight against blindness in Palestine
During a ceremony presided over by the President of the Portuguese República, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, the recipient of the 2023 António Champalimaud Vision Award was announced. This award recognised the St. John of Jerusalem Eye Hospital Group for their remarkable work in supporting hundreds of thousands of people in the Gaza Strip, West Bank, and East Jerusalem. Their efforts have been crucial in the battle against blindness and ensuring access to essential health services in a region marked by conflict and instability. The announcement took place in the presence of international guests and the Champalimaud family.