Allen Foster Community Eye Health Research Centre

The Champalimaud Foundation, based in Lisbon, Portugal, was created on the bequest of the late Portuguese industrialist and entrepreneur, António de Sommer Champalimaud. At the end of 2004 it was incorporated as the Anna de Sommer Champalimaud and Dr Carlos Montez Champalimaud Foundation, in honour of the benefactor’s parents. The Foundation has a long-term commitment to support medical research, in particular neurology, onclology and vision sciences.

C-TRACER Will Focus On The Following Areas:

• Research and therapy through the utilisation of stem cells in vision-related illnesses;
• Translational research utilising existing and novel clinical methodologies with the objective of furthering the knowledge of vision in such a way that it can be readily applied to the patient;
• Exchange programs involving scientists chosen by LVPEI and the Champalimaud Foundation; and
• Introduction of capacity building programs aimed at developing Lusophone countries such as Mozambique, Angola, Timor and others.

With the creation of C-TRACER the Champalimaud Foundation is making a significant contribution to the prevention and eradication of vision-related disease and illness in Portugal, in the countries of the Portuguese language, in India and in the world, apart from providing unique opportunities for training and experience for talented Portuguese scientists.

The Department of Biotechnology, Government of India, has also granted a five-year program support to the Institute to aid the Centre in its activities.