Allison Summers Pediatric Pilot Grant
Forecasted
Allison Summers Pediatric Pilot Grant supports mid-career clinicians conducting mentored pediatric optometry research to generate pilot data, advance their careers, and strengthen future funding prospects.
Funder: American Academy of Optometry
Due Dates (Anticipated): April 2027 (LOI deadline)
Funding Amounts: $10,000 for research lasting no more than two years
Summary: Supports mid-career clinicians conducting mentored pediatric optometry research to generate pilot data and strengthen future funding prospects.
Key Information: Applicants must be Academy Fellows providing direct patient care in an academic medical center.
Description
The American Academy of Optometry Foundation (AAOF) administers this career development award to help mid-career clinicians collect pilot data and become more competitive for future pediatric optometry research funding. The program pairs a focused pediatric optometry project with dedicated mentorship, connecting clinical experience, research development, and the investigator’s future professional plans.
Projects should be relevant to pediatric eye care or health and feasible within the award period. A structured mentorship plan and career impact projection are central to the application. Review considers both the proposed research and the mentoring relationship, with particular attention to how the award could advance the applicant’s professional trajectory.
