OD to PhD Scholarship Program Grant

OD to PhD Scholarship Program Grant

Status: ACTIVE
Funder: American Academy of Optometry Foundation Inc.
Amount: Up to US $45,000
Last Updated: January 05, 2026

Summary

Overview

The American Academy of Optometry Foundation The American Academy of Optometry (AAOF) is an association of optometric professionals who strive to stay at the top of their field. You will find like-minded colleagues within the American Academy of Optometry, an organization committed to promoting the art and science of vision care through lifelong learning. The Academy’s membership is comprised of optometrists, vision scientists, and other qualified professionals who have committed themselves to the rigorous process required to achieve its prestigious designation, Fellow of the American Academy of Optometry (FAAO). For more than a century, the Academy has provided Fellows access to the best minds in optometry, vision science, research, and more. Today’s Fellows welcome the opportunity to attend the Academy’s premiere event, its annual meeting. Other members include students, residents, and Candidates for Fellowship. Each fall attendees from around the world gather for thousands of hours of continuing education and exposure to the most recent research, networking, and latest products and services. Fellows particularly value the opportunity to connect with colleagues and mentors while enjoying an exceptional level of camaraderie. OD to PhD Scholarship Program The OD/PhD Scholarship Program funds optometrists receiving a PhD in eye and vision related fields. Examples of appropriate PhD programs include but are not limited to: Vision Science, Physiological Optics, Biomedical Sciences, Public Health, Education (emphasis on Optometric Education), Neuroscience, and Psychology. The program provides vital support to those who will teach and lead the next generation of optometry students and advance the profession’s cutting-edge research. The American Academy of Optometry Foundation is proud to partner with EssilorLuxottica to offer the OD to PhD Fellowship, an opportunity created to support optometrists who are ready to take the next step into vision science research. This fellowship is open to individuals who have completed or are completing the clinical training required for the optometry degree and who are enrolling in a PhD program in vision science or a related biomedical discipline. This competitive fellowship provides financial support during the early years of doctoral training. Awardees receive funding in their first year and may receive additional support in the second year based on successful academic and research progress as detailed in their annual progress report. Note, awardees may receive the fellowship for up to one successive, two-year period.

Eligibility

You can learn more about this opportunity by visiting the funder's website. The best candidate must: Have completed or in the process of completing clinical training leading to an optometry degree. Although not required, priority may be given to those with optometry training at a North American school or college of optometry.Plan to enter a full-time PhD-level program located at a North American institution to pursue training in vision science or other related biomedical sciences. Funding is not awarded until the awardee has started their PhD training at the institution and must have already obtained an optometry degree. Note; the awardee may have already been in optometric practice and returning to a graduate PhD program, in a current MS program, or may be coming directly from a degree-granting optometric program.

Ineligibility

Previous recipients of the fellowship are not eligible to apply.Those who have already started a graduate PhD program are not eligible.