AOA+ Travel Grants — Optometry’s Meeting 2026 (Phoenix)
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.
Please note: The information provided in this article is for the 2026 year only. Please visit optometrysmeeting.org for the most up-to-date information.
Related Articles
How do you receive CE credit at Optometry's Meeting®?
Participants are required to be in a course 50 minutes for every one hour of education for credit. If you are more than 10 minutes late for a one-hour course or 20 minutes late for a two-hour course, you will not be allowed to enter the room. ...How do I retrieve a copy of my Optometry’s Meeting® CE transcript?
The AOA's continuing education (CE) credit-claiming hub, powered by Credivera, offers a secure exchange for verifiable credentials. Credivera is the world's first platform where users can efficiently manage their credentials, securely share them and ...How do I register for Optometry’s Meeting®?
Visit optometrysmeeting.org and click the “Registration” button. When registering, please be sure to use the primary email address currently associated with your account. If you need to make any changes to your account, please log on to “MyAOA” under ...How is Optometry’s Meeting® CE attendance verified?
Attendees must have their badges scanned upon arrival outside of each course room. If an attendee fails to scan their badge prior to entry, their credit will not be accepted. NOTE: The AOA will report your credit to COPE and CE Broker so long as the ...How do I download the Optometry’s Meeting® mobile app?
The mobile app gives you access to an agenda or schedule of events, an interactive Eye Care Square exhibit hall floorplan, the ability to track and find CE, and add select events—such as workshops—on-site. More information about the mobile app will ...