The American Academy of Optometry Foundation (AAOF) is pleased to announce a new initiative designed to encourage clinicians to pursue graduate training in vision or related biomedical research.

This initiative leverages the success of the previous Jill and George Mertz Fellowship program to better accomplish this critical need.

This is an award open to optometry students, optometry residents, faculty or practicing clinicians. It is also open to those who are planning to begin graduate school and not those already enrolled in graduate school.

The Jill and George Mertz Fellowship is designed to help transition the best and brightest clinician-optometrists with exceptional potential into a career which includes research and academic optometry.  This up-to 2-year fellowship will be awarded congruent with enrollment into a vision or related biomedical science PhD program. High achieving 4th year OD students as well as applicants who are currently in/have completed a residency or currently employed as a clinician-optometrist are highly encouraged to apply. Must be completing or have completed clinical training leading to an optometry degree.  Although not required, some priority may be given to those with optometry training at a North American school/college of optometry. Individuals who have already completed some of a PhD program are not eligible. 

Awardees will receive $15,000 (US dollars) upon beginning their first year of training, and if they demonstrate sufficient success (as described within their progress report, see below) during this initial year, they will receive an additional $15,000 (US dollars) upon beginning their second year of training.

Applications and supporting materials should be emailed to AAOAwards@aaoptom.org and include the words Mertz and the last name of applicant in the subject line of the email. 

For information on eligibility, guidelines, and how to submit a proposal for this program,  please visit our website at: https://bit.ly/2GrOuN1

please visit website to apply.