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Eye on the Future Campaign

NEI is committed to inspiring the next generation of scientists through the annual Eye on the Future (EOTF) teen video contest! The 2023 contest has ended. Be sure to learn more about this year’s winners — and check back for updates about the 2024 contest.

This morning when you opened your eyes, you set in motion a series of steps in a dance called vision. Your eyes took in light and sent signals to your brain, which gave you a picture of the people and things in front of you. It’s easy to take your vision for granted.

But some people would be living in an out-of-focus world if they didn’t have their glasses. Others may have an eye disease that slowly steals their sight until it’s hard for them to recognize faces or read a book.

Keeping an Eye on Science

At NEI, we do research to better understand all the steps that make vision possible. We look at problems in the system at the smallest scale — in cells, neurons, and genes and the way they communicate with each other — to examine the causes of diseases that lead to vision loss. We discover new treatments for diseases. And we develop helpful technologies for people who have lost vision.

It all starts with science, and young people are the ones who will take science into the future. That’s why we launched the Eye on the Future Teen (EOTF) Video Contest.

Announcing the 2023 EOTF teen video contest winners!

This year, we received over 60 submissions and awarded 1 winner in each of the 3 categories: science in your world, science in the field or lab, and science in your future.

Enter teen video contest.

Learn about the 2023 Teen Video Contest

We asked teens to create a short video about science in your world, in the field or lab, or in your future for a chance to win $2,000! This year’s contest has ended. Check back for details about next year’s contest!

An image of a megaphone with the phrase "spread the word!".

Spread the word

Want to encourage teens in your community to enter the EOTF Teen Video Contest? We can help! Use our sample social media posts, newsletter and email content, and more.

Watch highlights from 2022 EOTF onsite event

EOTF teen video contest winners and honorable mentions visited the NIH campus for a day of learning, inspiration, and networking.

An image of last year’s Eye on the Future teen video contest winner.

Watch the winning videos

Over the past 2 years, NEI has received over 100 video submissions from teens across the United States showcasing their passion for science.

Last updated: June 12, 2023