Awards
The submission window for all Residency Awards is April 1 – June 1, 2023. To learn more about each award, use the menu below.
Questions
Contact Sarah Kidd, Manager, Awards and Donor Relations if you have any questions about this award.
Hopkins Comprehensive Eye Care Award
This award is intended to promote the practice and development of optometry by providing incentives and financial support to talented residents who demonstrate a passion and commitment to practice, research, and education. Specifically, to recognize individuals for taking the extra step to receive additional training to advance themselves and our profession in the areas of comprehensive/primary care, family practice, or ocular disease optometry.
One award of $2,000 will be granted to an optometrist currently serving as a resident during the application window. Residents in primary care, comprehensive eye care, family practice, or ocular disease programs within and affiliated with a North American school or college of optometry are eligible. The applicant must be a member of the American Academy of Optometry; whether as a student, candidate, or Fellow at the time of acceptance of any award.
Anyone who is not currently completing or has yet to begin a residency for the 2023-2024 academic year is ineligible.
The submission window is April 1 – June 1, 2023.
Nomination Requirements
Applicants must read Dr. Douglas Hopkins’s article “Primary Care Optometry” and write a one-page essay on the importance of comprehensive optometric practice currently and in the future.
Submissions must include:
- Date/status of when American Academy of Optometry membership was obtained.
- Brief description of the residency program, including affiliated institution, program title, and program supervisor along with contact information.
- CV with applicant’s education, as well as any honors, research or teaching experience.
- A one-page statement of short and longer-term career goals.
- Three letters of recommendation from persons qualified to comment on educational qualifications, research abilities, and potential, one of which must be the residency director or program coordinator of the institution. Once the applicant has submitted their application, the recommenders will receive an email with directions on how to upload the letter.
Sheldon Wechsler and George Mertz Contact Lens Residency Support
Intended to promote the practice and development of the field of contact lenses by providing incentives and support to sustain talented optometric residents who demonstrate a passion and commitment to practice, research, and education. Two $2,000 awards plus two $750 travel fellowships to attend the Academy meeting are provided.
These awards will be granted to eligible optometrists. In order to be eligible, applicants must be currently serving during the 2023- 2024 academic year calendar in an advanced practice contact lens residency program at a North American school or college of optometry.
Anyone who has yet to begin a residency for the 2023 – 2024 academic year calendar is ineligible.
The submission window is April 1 – June 1, 2023.
Nomination Requirements
Submissions must include:
- One-page statement of career goals plus the date AAO membership was obtained and current status (student, candidate or Fellow). The applicant must be a member of the Academy at the time of acceptance of the award.
- Brief description of the residency program.
- CV in PDF format with applicant’s education, clinical, research, and teaching experience plus any honors.
- Three letters of recommendation from persons qualified to comment on educational qualifications, research abilities, and potential. One must be from the residency director or program coordinator of the institution. Once the application has been submitted, each recommender will receive an email with directions on how to upload their letter.
**If you are applying for more than one contact lens award (Corwin, Wechsler, Mertz) then only ONE letter of recommendation from each recommender is needed.**
Alfred A. Rosenbloom, Jr., Low Vision Residency Award
Intended to promote the practice and development of the field of low vision by providing incentives and support to sustain talented optometric residents who demonstrate a passion and commitment to practice, research, and education. One $2,000 award plus one $750 travel fellowship to attend the Academy meeting are provided.
One award will be granted to an eligible optometrist. In order to be eligible, applicants must be currently serving in the 2023 – 2024 academic year calendar residency through a North American school or college of optometry.
Anyone who has yet to begin a residency for the 2023 – 2024 academic year calendar is ineligible.
The submission window is April 1 – June 1, 2023.
Nomination Requirements
Submissions must include:
The applicant must be a member of the American Academy of Optometry (AAO); whether as a student, candidate, or Fellow at the time of acceptance of any award.
- One-page statement of career goals plus the date AAO membership was obtained and current status (student, candidate or Fellow). The applicant must be a member of the Academy at the time of acceptance of the award.
- Brief description of the residency program.
- CV in PDF format with applicant’s education, clinical, research, and teaching experience plus any honors.
- Three letters of recommendation from persons qualified to comment on educational qualifications, research abilities, and potential. One must be from the residency director or program coordinator of the institution. Once the application has been submitted, each recommender will receive an email with directions on how to upload their letter.
Terrance N. Ingraham Pediatric Optometry Residency Award
Funded by Johnson & Johnson Vision, this award is intended to promote the practice and development of the field of Pediatric Optometry by providing incentives and support to sustain talented optometric residents who demonstrate a passion and commitment to practice, research, and education in the field of children’s vision.
One award will be granted to an eligible optometrist. In order to be eligible, applicants must be currently serving in the 2023 – 2024 academic year calendar advanced practice pediatric/vision therapy residency program through a North American school or college of optometry.
Anyone who has yet to begin a residency for the 2023 – 2024 academic year calendar is ineligible.
The submission window is April 1 – June 1, 2023.
Nomination Requirements
Submissions must include:
The applicant must be a member of the American Academy of Optometry (AAO); whether as a student, candidate, or Fellow at the time of acceptance of any award.
- One-page statement of career goals plus the date AAO membership was obtained and current status (student, candidate or Fellow). The applicant must be a member of the Academy at the time of acceptance of the award.
- Brief description of the residency program.
- CV in PDF format with applicant’s education, clinical, research, and teaching experience plus any honors.
- Three letters of recommendation from persons qualified to comment on educational qualifications, research abilities, and potential. One must be from the residency director or program coordinator of the institution. Once the application has been submitted, each recommender will receive an email with directions on how to upload their letter.
Rhonda Robinson Contact Lens Residency Award
Intended to promote the practice and development of the field of contact lenses by providing incentives and support to sustain talented optometric residents who demonstrate a passion and commitment to practice, research, and education. One $2,000 award plus a $750 travel fellowship to attend the Academy meeting are provided.
These awards will be granted to eligible optometrists. In order to be eligible, applicants must be currently serving during the 2023 – 2024 academic year calendar in an advanced practice contact lens residency program at a North American school or college of optometry.
Anyone who has yet to begin a residency for the 2023 – 2024 academic year calendar is ineligible.
The submission window is April 1 – June 1, 2023.
Nomination Requirements
Submissions must include:
- One-page statement of career goals plus the date AAO membership was obtained and current status (student, candidate, or Fellow). The applicant must be a member of the Academy at the time of acceptance of the award.
- Brief description of the residency program.
- CV in PDF format with applicant’s education, clinical, research, and teaching experience plus any honors.
- Three letters of recommendation from persons qualified to comment on educational qualifications, research abilities, and potential. One must be from the residency director or program coordinator of the institution. Once the application has been submitted, each recommender will receive an email with directions on how to upload their letter.
**If you are applying for more than one contact lens award (Robinson, Wechsler, Mertz) then only ONE letter of recommendation from each recommender is needed.**
Prior to the award window opening, the guidelines for any given award are subject to change by the AAOF and/or the award sponsor. Applicants are reminded to review all information before submitting their application to ensure all criteria is met.
All grant/award submissions are initially reviewed for completeness and eligibility by AAO/AAOF staff. To the extent feasible, staff will work to notify applicants of eligibility and incompleteness prior to the application deadline. Complete, eligible applications are then sent to a reviewing body chosen by the organization.
Each reviewing body is specifically chosen so as to allow the most knowledgeable merit review of the application. This reviewing body sends its recommendations to the Programs Advisory Committee (PAC), which uses the reviewing body recommendations to select the final awardees in alignment with programmatic needs and corresponding gift agreements.
The decision of the PAC is then sent to the AAOF Board for review and approval. The AAO/AAOF Conflict of Interest policy governs the actions of individuals involved throughout this review and approval process.
All award recipients by application and acceptance of an award agree to allow the AAOF and/or the sponsor of the award to which they applied to publish their name, image, institution information, and any statement or quote provided by the recipient. These will appear in a variety of media formats that will announce and promote the award including, but not limited to, the AAOF and/or sponsor annual report, website, annual meeting promotional materials.
Resident Travel Fellowships
The submission window for all Resident Travel Fellowships is June 22 – July 21, 2023
Questions
Contact Sarah Kidd, Manager, Awards and Donor Relations if you have any questions about this award.
Allergan Resident Travel Fellowship
The Academy is pleased to offer Resident Travel Fellowships to attend Academy 2022 San Diego . Through a generous grant from Allergan Eye Care, a number of residents will have the opportunity to be awarded a Travel Fellowship for $750. All 2023 -2024 residents are eligible to apply for the Allergan Travel Fellowships.
A complete online submission will include:
- A current curriculum vitae
- NBEO scores
- Allergan Resident Travel Fellowship essay (this is the required Allergan Resident Travel Fellowship essay; this is not your abstract submission for Residents Day at Academy 2023 New Orleans).
Residents are required to write a brief essay (min 300 words, max 500 words) describing:
- What impact do you think pharmacological treatment of presbyopia will have on the traditional optometric practice?
- Describe what a comprehensive treatment plan would look like with the addition of presbyopia therapeutic drops.
Resident MUST be a member of the Academy to be eligible. For more information on becoming a member please visit: https://bit.ly/3piZtLD
Award recipients must attend the meeting in order to receive their award. Award money will be dispersed after the meeting.
Review
The Academy’s Residents Day Committee will evaluate all completed Allergan Eye Care Resident Travel Fellowship applications.
Program Notes
It is the standard policy of the Academy that recipients who receive a travel stipend to attend an event, cannot receive a second or duplicate travel stipend for the same event, from the Academy or its affiliate, the Foundation.
American Academy of Optometry Foundation Resident Travel Fellowship
The American Academy of Optometry Foundation supports optometric education and research with the goal of improving eye and vision care provided by optometrists to their patients. This travel fellowship will award two residents currently enrolled in an accredited residency program, in good academic standing, and have a paper accepted to present either at Residents Day or at the Scientific Program.
**Please note that in the submission drop down the name will appear as Optometric Residency Matching Service**
Program Notes
It is the standard policy of the Academy that recipients who receive a travel stipend to attend an event, cannot receive a second or duplicate travel stipend for the same event from the Academy or its affiliate, the Foundation.
All award recipients by application and acceptance of award agree to allow the AAOF and/or the sponsor of the program to which they applied to publish their name, image, institution information, and any statement or quote provided by the recipient. These may appear in a variety of media formats that announce/promote the program including, but not limited to, the AAOF and/or sponsor annual report, website, annual meeting promotional materials, etc.
Anterior Segment Section Resident Travel Fellowship
The Anterior Segment Section of the American Academy of Optometry (AAO) is pleased to offer five educational travel grants for selected residents to attend Academy 2023 New Orleans. Generously sponsored by Johnson & Johnson Vision, each travel fellowship is for $750. All 2023 -2024 residents providing direct patient care in anterior segment disease in an accredited residency program are encouraged to apply.
Requirements
- Must be a member of the Academy
- Must attend Academy 23 New Orleans
- Attend the Anterior Segment Section business meeting at Academy 2023 to receive award
- Have a paper of poster accepted to present at Residents Day or Scientific Program
- Submit a Residents Day Case Report outline with an Anterior Segment focus (CL cases are excluded)
- Provide a brief essay of 300 words or less about “Why the Anterior Segment is Important to Me”
- Current CV
Program Notes
The recipients are welcome to attend the Section symposia events, Diplomate Preparatory Course (with registration), and Diplomate reception.
It is the standard policy of the Academy that recipients who receive a travel stipend to attend an event cannot receive a second or duplicate travel stipend for the same event from the Academy or its affiliate, the Foundation.
It is the standard policy of the Academy that recipients who receive a travel stipend to attend an event, cannot receive a second or duplicate travel stipend for the same event from the Academy or its affiliate, the Foundation.
Arizona Chapter Resident Travel Fellowship
The Arizona Chapter of the American Academy of Optometry is pleased to offer one educational travel fellowship in the amount of $750 to attend Academy 2023 New Orleans. All 2023 -2024 residents in an accredited residency program located in the State of Arizona are encouraged to apply. Interested residents must complete the application form here. The application should be emailed to the Arizona Chapter (arizona.aaopt@gmail.com) along with proof of registration to Academy 2023 New Orleans by July 21, 2023. The name of the recipient will be announced at the Arizona Chapter’s Fall Meeting. All residents are encouraged to attend the meeting; however, attendance is not required to receive the travel fellowship.
It is the standard policy of the Academy that recipients who receive a travel stipend to attend an event, cannot receive a second or duplicate travel stipend for the same event, from the Academy or its affiliates.
Florida Chapter Resident Travel Fellowship Grant
The Florida Chapter (of AAO) will provide two resident travel grants in the amount of $750 each for NOVA Southeastern University residents to attend Academy 2023 New Orleans.
Requirements
- Must be a resident from NOVA Southeastern University
- Must be a member of the American Academy of Optometry
- Must be an accepted paper of poster presenter for the Scientific Program or Residents Day to qualify.
Program Notes
It is the standard policy of the Academy that recipients who receive a travel stipend to attend an event, cannot receive a second or duplicate travel stipend for the same event from the Academy or its affiliate, the Foundation.
All award recipients by application and acceptance of award agree to allow the AAOF and/or the sponsor of the program to which they applied to publish their name, image, institution information, and any statement or quote provided by the recipient. These may appear in a variety of media formats that announce/promote the program including, but not limited to, the AAOF and/or sponsor annual report, website, annual meeting promotional materials, etc.
International Keratoconus Academy (IKA) Resident Travel Fellowship in Memory of Janet Barr
** Will not be awarded this year**
The IKA Resident Travel Fellowship is open to optometry residents who are currently enrolled in an accredited residency program, in good academic standing, and who have a paper accepted to present at Residents Day or through the Scientific Program at Academy 2023 New Orleans.
Requirements
- Must be a member of the American Academy of Optometry
- Current CV
- NBEO scores
- One-page essay (500 words maximum) on:
- What factors contribute to the diagnosis of keratoconus?
- What are the elements of a comprehensive treatment plan?
*Materials must be submitted online by the deadline. Applications remaining incomplete after the deadline date will not be evaluated.
Program Notes
It is the standard policy of the Academy that recipients who receive a travel stipend to attend an event, cannot receive a second or duplicate travel stipend for the same event from the Academy or its affiliate, the Foundation.
All award recipients by application and acceptance of award agree to allow the AAOF and/or the sponsor of the program to which they applied to publish their name, image, institution information, and any statement or quote provided by the recipient. These may appear in a variety of media formats that announce/promote the program including, but not limited to, the AAOF and/or sponsor annual report, website, annual meeting promotional materials, etc.
Ocutech Low Vision Research Travel Fellowship
Three $750 travel grants will be awarded to primary authors of a Low Vision paper or poster abstract selected to be presented at the annual meeting.
Eligibility
- Senior optometry students
- Low Vision optometry residents
- optometrists within 3 years of degree completion
Requirements
- Must be a member of the Academy
- Submit a CV
- Proved a one-page essay (500 word maximum) about themselves and why they have chosen the field of Low Vision
- Have an accepted Low Vision abstract paper/poster being presented at Academy
- Submit at least one letter of recommendation (the letter of recommendation DOES NOT have to be the resident supervisor).
**Please not that if you are not a Resident you do not have to fill out the Residency/Coordinator/Supervisor fields in the application**
Program Notes
The AAO Low Vision Section will invite awardees to present summaries of their work at the Low Vision Section meeting.
Abstracts of papers selected for awards will be provided to Ocutech by the awardee to be placed on Ocutech’s website in a section devoted to research awards.
It is the standard policy of the Academy that recipients who receive a travel stipend to attend an event cannot receive a second or duplicate travel stipend for the same event from the Academy or its affiliate, the Foundation.
