Science Communication Training Fellowship
ARVO's Science Communication Training Fellowship (#SciCommTF) is a competitive, highly-interactive one-year program focused on the improvement of science communication and science advocacy skills amongst the early-career researchers within our membership. Since 2017, the Fellowship has empowered early-career scientists to communicate their complex vision research in clear and engaging ways to improve understanding, foster excitement, and inspire action and engagement amongst the public, media, legislators and other key stakeholders.
Eligible participants include ARVO Members-in-Training (MIT) who have been an ARVO member for at least one (1) year. The program accepts 20 Fellows annually.
2025 Program key dates
Applications open: Dec. 2, 2024 - Jan. 31, 2025
Fellowship period: March 2025 - Feb. 2026
ARVO Annual Meeting: May 4 - 8, 2025 (Salt Lake City, Utah)
ARVO Advocacy Day: Feb. 2026 (Washington, DC)
Discover the many ways you can benefit from the SciComm Training Fellowship as 2019 alum Jarrod Harman, PhD, shares the positive domino effect the program had on his career development.
Program curriculum
The goals of the Fellowship are to:
- Train young researchers to effectively communicate about the value of eye and vision science
- Facilitate an enduring relationship between ARVO and early-career scientists
Upon completion of the Fellowship, participants should feel confident communicating in order to:
- Increase knowledge and understanding in the public forum
- Foster excitement about science
- Encourage action to increase investment in scientific research
- Frame science issues concisely based on the audience
During the one-year program, Fellows will participate in:
- Webinars, assignments, and discussion forums
- Interactive meetings with eye and vision communication experts
- An in-person social gathering with current Fellows, Alumni, and members of the Advocacy and Outreach Committee at ARVO’s Annual Meeting
- The development of their own outreach activities
- ARVO’s Advocacy Day in Washington, DC (optional for international Fellows)
- Networking with fellow participants and program alumni
Topics and skillsets covered during the Fellowship may include, but are not limited to:
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Who should apply for the Fellowship?
ARVO Members-in-Training (MIT) who have been members for at least one (1) year who are:
- Curious about, new to, or already engaged with science communication at any level
- Interested in the intersection of science communication and policy/advocacy
- Passionate about the role of science in society
- Looking for something beyond a Science Communication 101 course
- Interested in future leadership positions within ARVO
Application essentials
Applicants must provide:
- Letter of intent
- Resume or CV
- Letter of recommendation
- Letters from funding source stating support for the Fellow for the ARVO Annual Meeting (all applicants)
- Letters from funding source stating support for the Fellow for ARVO Advocacy Day in Washington, DC in February (U.S. applicants).
What happens after I complete the program?
There are an array of opportunities available for you to continue to hone your science communication skills, including:
- Attend future ARVO Advocacy Days
- Join an ARVO committee, such as:
- Apply to ARVO's:
- Participate in NAEVR's Emerging Vision Scientist Program
- Become a mentor to a SciComm Training Fellow
- Sign up for the SciComm TF Information Table at the ARVO Annual Meeting
- Become a Setting Your Sights Advocate
- Apply for an ARVO award