Organizing Questions
- Which organization(s) are significant sources of research funding?
- What does the normal science funding/policy decision-making process look like?
- Which patient advocacy groups, if any, are active in the area?
- Are there existing national/regional organizations that work towards improving research funding/policy?
- How do scientists currently contribute to the existing funding/policymaking/advocacy process, if at all?
- When are science funding/policy decisions made?
- What kinds of opportunities exist for scientists to interact with funders and policymakers?
-
Which organization(s) are significant sources of research funding?
- Private
- Individuals (out of pocket)
- Non-government organizations (NGOs)
- Sight Savers. https://www.sightsavers.org/where-we-work/nigeria/
- Christoffel Blinden Mission aka Christian Blind Mission (CBM). https://www.cbm.org/
- Private
-
What does the normal science funding/policy decision-making process look like?
- Which group/committee/person within the funding/policy organization makes the decisions?
- Institution-based appointees or committees
- What are the criteria the funding/policy organization(s) use to make their decisions?
- It is based on need, area of interest and impact of the research to the community
- Which group/committee/person within the funding/policy organization makes the decisions?
-
Which patient advocacy groups, if any, are active in the area?
- None
-
Are there existing national/regional organizations that work towards improving research funding/policy?
- NGOs
-
How do scientists currently contribute to the existing funding/policymaking/advocacy process, if at all?
- None
-
When are science funding/policy decisions made?
- At the discretion of the funding party, usually after review and acceptance of qualified research proposals based on the organization's criteria.
-
What kinds of opportunities exist for scientists to interact with funders and policymakers?
- Only in scientific/professional conferences.
- Can scientists invite decision makers to their lab/institution to see their work firsthand?
- No
- Do the funding/policy organizations hold open meetings or solicit comments from the public that researchers can participate in?
- No
Contributors
- Obinna Awiaka, OD, the National President, Nigerian Optometric Association (NOA)
- Chimeziri Anderson, OD, PGD, MPH FAAO, FNCO, Community eye health Epidemiologist and National President, Association of Optometrists in Public Health Care in Nigeria (AOPHCIN)
- Adure Edemeraro, OD, MSc, FLVPEI, FNCO, Executive Member, International Society of Low Vision Research and Rehabilitation (ISLRR)