AOA+ Travel Grants — Optometry’s Meeting® 2026 (Phoenix)

Travel grants for AOA+ at Optometry’s Meeting in Phoenix, June 17–20, 2026, will become available when registration launches in January 2026.

AOA+ is a premier professional development experience designed to connect the next generation of leaders in optometry. To support attendance, AOA offers travel reimbursement grants for eligible students, new doctors and optometric educators.

A limited number of AOA+ travel grants will be available with Optometry’s Meeting registration.

AOA+ Travel Grants for Optometry Students

AOA+ travel grants for students are based on the region where the optometry school is located:

• West: $500

• Central: $750

• East: $850
  
  Special Eligibility

• Class of 2026 graduates are eligible for a $1,000 travel grant, regardless of school location.

• Students must attend AOA+ “student” events to remain eligible for their travel grant.

AOA+ Travel Grants for New Doctors

AOA+ travel grants are available for new doctors with graduation years 2021–2025.

Grants include:

• $500 travel grant

• 50% off early-bird registration for Optometry’s Meeting

• Attendance at student AOA+ events is not required for eligibility

AOA+ Travel Grants for Optometric Educators

AOA+ travel grants are available for eligible optometric educators.

Grants include:

• $500 travel grant

• 50% off early-bird registration for Optometry’s Meeting

• Attendance at student AOA+ events is not required

Eligibility

Full-time optometric educators and faculty at schools or colleges of optometry who are primarily engaged in school-related activities such as:

• Teaching

• Research

• Administration

Important Travel Grant Details

To be eligible for an AOA+ travel grant, attendees must:

• Register for Optometry’s Meeting by March 31, 2026.

After the eligibility window closes on March 31:

• Eligible registrants will be contacted with next steps. 

• Steps will include submitting a W-9 or W-8, providing banking information for direct deposit, and reviewing reminders about AOA+ travel grant requirements.

Payment Information

• All individuals who meet the deadlines and fulfill requirements will receive their AOA+ travel grant via direct deposit to a valid U.S. bank account.

• Travel grants are issued after Optometry’s Meeting concludes. If you did not yet receive your check, there may have been an issue with your W-9 or W-8 form. Someone will be reaching out to you regarding this. If you need to check in on the status or if you have any concerns, please email aoaplus@aoa.org.