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:
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West: $500
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Central: $750
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East: $850
Special Eligibility
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Class of 2026 graduates are eligible for a $1,000 travel grant, regardless of school location.
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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:
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$500 travel grant
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50% off early-bird registration for Optometry’s Meeting
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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:
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$500 travel grant
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50% off early-bird registration for Optometry’s Meeting
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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:
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Teaching
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Research
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Administration
Important Travel Grant Details
To be eligible for an AOA+ travel grant, attendees must:
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Register for Optometry’s Meeting by March 31, 2026.
After the eligibility window closes on March 31:
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Eligible registrants will be contacted with next steps.
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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
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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.
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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.
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