Quick Facts: Champalimaud Vision Award

Did you know that the Champalimaud Foundation, based in Portugal, annually grants the prestigious Champalimaud Vision Award? This is one of the highest financial rewards in terms of scientific prizes worldwide, and the current prize of 1 million euros is equivalent (at current 2010 exchange rates) to the 1.4 million dollars awarded with Nobel Prizes.

The award recognises excellence in research leading to a better understanding of vision or progresses in the alleviation of visual impairment and blindness.

International personalities such as Mr. Jacques Delors (former President of the European Commission) and Prof. Amartya Sen (renowned Indian economist and Nobel laureate) are part of the jury panel. Also, Dr. James D. Watson, one of the discoverers of DNA structure and Nobel laureate, is head of the Scientific Committee of the Champalimaud Foundation.

Champalimaud Vision Award 2008