Travel Grant Applications are now open. See instructions below.
Each year VSS endeavors to support travel to and accommodation at the annual meeting through a travel grants program, subject to availability of funding. For 2024, we are pleased to announce funding from both Elsevier/Vision Research and NIH/National Eye Institute. In addition, in 2022 VSS introduced the John I. Yellott Travel Award.
Guidelines for Applications
Travel grants are available to both US and non-US individuals and are open to Undergraduates, Graduate Students and Postdocs.
Eligibility criteria are as follows:
NEI Travel Grant: Undergraduate students, Graduate students, and Postdocs. Must be US citizen or permanent resident in the US.
Elsevier/Vision Research International Travel Award Graduate students, Postdocs. Must NOT be US citizen or permanent resident of the US.
Yellott Award: Graduate students, Postdocs. Any citizenship or residency.
Undergraduate Travel Award: Undergraduate students. Any citizenship or residency. VSS members may donate to the Undergraduate Travel Award fund.
Travel grants are intended to increase the participation of people from diverse backgrounds, including those from underrepresented groups and individuals facing significant financial obstacles to their attendance. For NEI travel grants (US citizens and permanent residents), diversity will be evaluated based on NIH criteria. For Elsevier/Vision Research International Travel Awards (not US citizens or permanent residents of the US), diversity will be evaluated taking account of the international context.
All applications will be evaluated on a balance of criteria, including scientific quality of the submitted abstract, financial need, and diversity.
Applicants must be the first author on an abstract at the 2024 meeting. Previous VSS travel award recipients are not eligible (2020 and 2021 award recipients excluded).
Grants Selection
Applications will be reviewed by a committee appointed by the VSS Board of Directors.
Schedule
Intent to Submit Application (during abstract submissions): December 5, 2023
Applications Open: January 5, 2024
Deadline to Apply: January 25, 2024
Recipients Announced: February 15, 2024
Travel Award Applications are Now Closed