Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology-AFER/Merck Innovative Ophthalmology Research Award
Thanks to a generous grant from Merck & Co., Inc., AFER is pleased to offer this series of biennial awards. The IORA encourages young researchers to undertake investigative work in critical areas of ophthalmology that may one day lead to meaningful improvements to patients' lives. It is open to researchers aged 45 years or younger who hold an MD, a PhD or an equivalent doctoral level degree. The awards are worth $70,000 per cycle.
Nominations for the 2011 ARVO-AFER/Merck Innovation Ophthalmology Research Awards have been extended to November 15, 2010.
2011 Awards and topics
The ARVO-AFER/Merck Innovation Ophthalmology Research Awards are based upon a single paper that has been published or is scheduled for publication in a peer-reviewed journal between January 1, 2009 and August 31, 2010, and is relevant to one of the two 2011 topics:
Topic 1: Stem Cell Applications to Eye Disease
* One First Place Award of $25,000
* One Second Place Award of $10,000
Topic 2: Immunology and Insight into Eye Disease
* One First Place Award of $25,000
* One Second Place Award of $10,000
In addition to the monetary awards, the recipients will be recognized at the Keynote Session of the 2011 ARVO Annual Meeting, May 1–5, 2011 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. A luncheon will also be held in their honor with prominent members of ARVO, AFER and Merck.
Eligibility
Eligible nominees must meet the following requirements:
* 45 years of age or under at the time the paper is published
* Hold an MD or PhD degree at the time paper is published
* Must be first author on the paper
* Paper must be original and published (or be scheduled for publication) in a peer-reviewed journal between January 1, 2009 and August 31, 2010.
Although a paper may have several authors, only the first author may be nominated. The first author must be the primary investigator. If the paper has several authors, letters must be obtained from all of the other authors acknowledging the first author as the primary investigator and, therefore, the nominee for the Award.
* Individuals may nominate themselves or others may nominate them once the paper has been published.
* The Review Panel must have no-cost access to the published articles.
Nominations must specify the name of the head of the hospital department or laboratory where the research was conducted (which may not necessarily be where the candidate is currently located).
Review process
A Review Panel of internationally recognized experts convened by ARVO will review all papers based on the following criteria:
* Originality
* Scientific rigor
* Experimental design
* Soundness of conclusions
The Review Panel will submit its recommendations to the AFER Board of Governors and the ARVO Board of Trustees for final selection. The deliberations of the Review Panel and the Boards are considered confidential, and their decisions are final.
Timetable
April–November 15 2010 Nominations accepted
November 15–January 2011 Nominations reviewed and evaluated
February 15, 2011 Completion of Review Panel deliberations and submission of recommendations to the ARVO and AFER Boards
March 1, 2011 Notify awardees and announce winners
May 1, 2011 Awards presented at the ARVO Annual Meeting
All nominations must be received no later than 11:59pm EDT, November 15, 2010.
For additional information, please contact, Barbara Hollis ( +1.240.221.2940).
Association for Research in Vision And Ophthalmology (ARVO)
1801 Rockville Pike, Suite 400
Rockville, MD 20852-5622
Phone: +1.240.221.2950
Fax: +1.240.221.0370
