AOF - Carl Zeiss Vision Fellowships

Purpose 

To encourage talented persons to pursue full-time careers in independent optometric practice and leadership.

Awards

One $5,000 award will be given to a student completing his/her third year at each of the schools and colleges of Optometry in the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico; nineteen (19) awards in total. In addition, each AOF - Zeiss Fellow will receive a travel fellowship to attend the Annual Meeting of the American Academy of Optometry during his/her fourth year and first year after graduation.

Eligibility

Open to all third year students (Class 2011) at North American schools and colleges of optometry. If not already members of the Academy, winners will be encouraged to apply.

Application and Review Procedures

The appropriate award selection committee at each of the schools/colleges of optometry will select the three to five students who meet the eligibility requirements and best demonstrate a commitment to independent optometric practice and leadership. The AOF will not accept applications directly from students.

Applications should include:

1. A one-page statement written by the applicant on how during your career as an independent optometrist you will work individually or with others to advance optometry.

2. A curriculum vitae including:

   - Contact information
   - Education/training
   - Participation in optometric student leadership and professional organizations
   - Optometric professional and research experience
   - Honors and awards

At the discretion of each school or college, letters of recommendation from faculty, externship preceptors, administrators, and optometrists may be included. 

Application Submission and Deadline

Each institution must submit their slate of applications electronically as a PDF or MS Word file.

Proposals will be reviewed by a peer review committee established by the American Optometric Foundation.

All winners will be required to submit an IRS tax document:  W-8 form (international residents) or W-9 form (U.S. residents).

2010 APPLICATION WINDOW CLOSED MARCH 1st!

All proposals must be sent by institution electronically and include the words " ZEISS FELLOWSHIP (+institution name)" in the subject line of e-mail to:by March 1, 2010. Fellowship recipients will be announced in late  May 2010.

For additional information, contact Tracy Kitts, Foundation Coordinator at: 301-984-4734 or e-mail at: 

 News.......AOF-Carl Zeiss Vision Fellowship program is featured in Optometric Management

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