ARVO Advocacy Awards
The 2025 nomination period is open now to Jan. 6, 2025.
The ARVO Board of Trustees and the Advocacy and Outreach Committee invite ARVO members annually to nominate deserving colleagues, or themselves, for the following awards honoring the crucial work of advocates in our field:
Eligible candidates are ARVO members — both established and Members-in-Training — with a documented history of advocating for eye and vision research at local, state/province and national levels, relative to their tenure in the field.
Application Timeline
Applications open Nov. 1
Applications close Jan. 6, 2025
Recipients notified in Feb. 2025
Guidelines for Achievements in Eye and Vision Advocacy Award:
- Nominees must be an ARVO member of at least five years (cumulative)
- May be a resident or citizen of any country
- May have experience advocating at any level of government
- Current members of the Advocacy and Outreach Committee are not eligible
Guidelines for Emerging Advocate Award:
- Nominees must be an ARVO Member-in-Training of at least two years (cumulative)
- May be a resident or citizen of any country
- May have experience advocating at any level of government
- Current members of the Advocacy and Outreach Committee are not eligible
Click on the award name below to see examples of advocacy activities that qualify:
Nomination process
There are no geographical restrictions for nominees or nominators. ARVO members may self-nominate and/or nominate other members. Nominations must include:
- Endorsements – Nominations must include two endorsements — one from a primary nominator (even if self-nominating) and one from a secondary supporting nominator. The endorsements should speak to the candidate's commitment to advocating on behalf of eye and vision research funding and/or policy. Advocacy and Outreach Committee members are not eligible to write endorsements.
- Evidence of advocacy – This may include pictures, summaries, Advocacy Day or Hill Day materials, etc.
- Future advocacy endeavors - A short summary from the nominee discussing how they will incorporate advocacy into their future work.
- Personal statement – A brief statement from the nominee that explains why they dedicate time to advocacy.
Review & Selection process
Nominations for both awards are reviewed by Advocacy and Outreach Committee members. Nominees will be scored on the following criteria:
- Longevity of commitment to advocacy relative to their career’s tenure
- Leadership within advocacy communities relative to their career’s tenure
- Success in advocacy relative to their career’s tenure and cause undertaken
- Dedication to continuing to advocate relative to their career's tenure
- Strength of endorsements
Awardees are notified in February 2025. Each honoree receives a complimentary registration for the 2025 ARVO Annual Meeting where they will be recognized with a plaque commemorating this achievement.