About the the WCO Fellowship Program

One of the important roles of the WOF is to fund fellowships which support the goals and objectives of the WCO (see the WCO Strategic Plan).

The highest priorities for fellowships are innovative projects which result in long-term sustainable results. Evidence must be provided in the application of how the proposed funding would contribute to the development of eye and vision care locally and/or worldwide. Areas of priority are education, advocacy, public health and legislative policy and registration. Projects which may lead to other sources of funding are encouraged. For examples of past fellowship projects, click here.

Travel bursaries for the purpose of attending a meeting or for short term “mission” or “eye camps” for vision screenings are not considered a high priority.

Funding

Fellowships provide support for the execution cost of a project and may include travel.

Although the typical fellowships are short-term and are funded for a maximum of $2000, multi-year projects with increased funding may be considered at the discretion of the Fellowship Committee.

Criteria

Applicant must be an optometrist, optometric educator or a graduate student in an optometric program.
Applicant must be a member of a WCO member organization (if one exists in their country). To view a list of WCO members, click here.
Only one fellowship application can be considered at any one time by an individual, group or organization.

Preference will be given to:

applicants from developing and middle-income countries (according to the World Bank classification) to conduct activities in these countries.

Application Process

Complete the application form below.
Additional information may be requested by the Fellowship Committee and/or the WCO.
The WCO Fellowship Committee will review applications and notify the Executive Committee of the successful candidates. The final decision for fellowships will be made by the Fellowship Committee.
All applicants will be informed of the outcome of their application by the WCO.
All successful applicants will be required to provide a written report and acknowledge WCO/WOF in all publications or publicity regarding the project prior to the funds being released.
Please contact us with any questions.

Fellowship Application Form

Name *

First

Last

Email *

Confirm Email

Which WCO organization are you a member of? *

Are you a WCO Individual Member?

Address *

Amount Requested (in US Dollars) *

Timeline *

Have you received a WCO Fellowship in the past? *

If yes, please provide details.

Have you applied for, or do you have supplemental funding from any other source? *

If yes, please name the organization and the amount received/expected.

Please provide a summary of the project including: 1) description of the project; 2) evidence of how the proposed funding would contribute to the development of eye and vision care locally and/or worldwide; and 3) expected outcomes. *

Please provide a detailed budgetary request: *

Please upload a curriculum vitae: *

Click or drag a file to this area to upload.

Name of first reference *

First

Last

Email of first reference *

Name of second reference *

First

Last

Email of second reference *

Signature *

Date *