Travel Grant Opportunities
AOA+ travel grants return for Optometry's Meeting 2026 in Phoenix. Learn more about the travel grant opportunities available for students, new graduates and optometric educators to attend the AOA & AOSA annual meeting in Phoenix, June 17-20, 2026.
Optometry's Meeting & AOA+
June 17-20, 2026
Phoenix, Arizona | Phoenix Convention Center
Find out how you can reserve an AOA+ travel grant to Optometry's Meeting, June 17-20, in Phoenix. Find additional grant details, eligibility and timeline below.
AOA+ Travel Grants
AOA+ is a can't-miss event on your optometric career path. Take that next step and find yourself among the next generation of leaders shaping our profession. In fact, AOA+ is so impactful for you—and our profession—that AOA is providing travel support by offering travel reimbursement for students in the amounts listed below depending on where you attend optometry school.
A limited number of AOA+ travel grants are available for Optometry's Meeting. Grant details are below:
Optometry Students
AOA+ travel grants are available to students based on the region their school is located:
- West - $500 travel grants
- Central - $750 travel grants
- East - $850 travel grants
Class of 2026 graduates will be eligible for $1,000 travel grants regardless of school location. Optometry students must attend AOA+ "student" events to retain eligibility for travel grant.
| School | Region | Grant Amount |
| Ferris State Univ. Michigan College of Optometry | Central | $750 |
| Illinois College of Optometry | Central | $750 |
| Indiana University, School of Optometry | Central | $750 |
| IAUPR, School of Optometry | East | $850 |
| MCPHS University School of Optometry | East | $850 |
| Midwestern University Arizona College of Optometry | West | $500 |
| Midwestern University Chicago College of Optometry | Central | $750 |
| New England College of Optometry | East | $850 |
| NSU Oklahoma College of Optometry | Central | $750 |
| Nova Southeastern University, College of Optometry | East | $850 |
| Pacific University, College of Optometry | West | $500 |
| PCO Salus at Drexel University | East | $850 |
| Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions | West | $500 |
| SCCO at Marshall B. Ketchum University | West | $500 |
| Southern College of Optometry | Central | $750 |
| SUNY College of Optometry | East | $850 |
| The Ohio State University, College of Optometry | East | $850 |
| UIW Rosenberg School of Optometry | Central | $750 |
| UAB School of Optometry | East | $850 |
| UC Berkeley, School of Optometry | West | $500 |
| University of Detroit Mercy School of Optometry | Central | $750 |
| University of Houston, College of Optometry | Central | $750 |
| UMSL College of Optometry | Central | $750 |
| University of Montreal, Ecole d Optometrie | East | $850 |
| UPIKE Kentucky College of Optometry | Central | $750 |
| UW, School of Optometry and Vision Science | East | $850 |
| WesternU College of Optometry | West | $500 |
New Doctors
AOA+ travel grants are available for new doctors with graduation years 2021-2025. Grants include:
- $500 travel grant
- Grant does not require new doctor attendance at "student" AOA+ events
- 50% off early-bird registration for Optometry's Meeting
Optometric Educators
AOA+ travel grants are available for optometric educators (eligibility below). Grants include:
- $500 travel grant
- Grant does not require optometric educator attendance at "student" AOA+ events
- 50% off early-bird registration for Optometry's Meeting
Eligibility: Full-time optometric educators and faculty at schools or colleges of optometry primarily engaged in school-related activities, e.g., teaching, researching and administration.
AOA+ 2026 Frequently Asked Questions
(CLICK ▶ TO DROP DOWN)
AOA+ Student FAQs
Are there requirements for receiving a travel grant?
Yes, student requirements include the following:
- Be an AOA/AOSA member in good standing
- Register by March 31
- Complete all required forms sent by AOA
- At Optometry’s Meeting, attendance is required at the following*:
- Thursday, June 18, 9am – 12pm
- Leadership Lab (breakfast provided)
- Thursday, June 18, 6 – 9pm
- AOA EyeQ Challenge
- Friday, June 19, 9am – 12pm
- Career Fair, Residency Panel and Forum, or Residency Summit
- Friday, June 19, 12 – 1:30pm
- Leadership Link Luncheon and AOA Town Hall
- 4 hrs. of Education throughout Optometry’s Meeting (does not have to be for CE)
- Thursday, June 18, 9am – 12pm
*Wednesday, June 17 5:30 – 7pm is the Optometry’s Meeting Opening General Session. While not required, attendance is strongly encouraged.
When will I receive my travel grant?
All funds, including your registration discount, will be distributed following Optometry’s Meeting once requirements are fulfilled and confirmed.
How will I receive my travel grant?
You will receive instructions from the AOA following the March 31 registration deadline that will request you to submit a completed W9 or W8. You may also provide banking information to a valid U.S. bank account. This will allow us to direct deposit your travel grant.
If you do not provide information to a valid U.S. bank account by the required deadline, your travel grant will be mailed after Optometry’s Meeting concludes to the address you provided on your W9 / W8 if you have met all meeting requirements.
How are travel grants determined?
Schools and colleges of optometry have been grouped into three regions of the country. Where students attend school determines what amount of travel grant they will receive. Please see the groupings below.
Where should I book my housing?
Visit the Optometry's Meeting website for housing details. Students should select 'student' from the dropdown to be directed to the Hyatt Regency Phoenix, the official student hotel of Optometry’s Meeting. You are not required to book your hotel using onPeak or at any of the designated hotels, but onPeak is the only hotel provider endorsed by Optometry's Meeting 2026. If you are contacted by other third-party companies offering hotel assistance, please be aware they are not endorsed by our event. Entering financial agreements with these companies can have costly consequences and are not protected by event management.
Do I need to provide receipts, proof of purchase or other documentation to receive the travel grant funds?
No, you do not need to provide receipts or other documentation. To receive the travel grant, you must meet registration and attendance requirements.
All expenses are out of pocket both before and during the meeting. Once travel grant requirements are confirmed (meeting and session attendance; see first FAQ), the travel grant amount you were eligible for will be sent to you after Optometry’s Meeting. There are no receipts, expense reports, or documentation required to receive your funds.
Do I have to share a hotel room or housing with other students? Can I use points to book airfare? Can I get reimbursed for meals?
There are no requirements or restrictions on housing or other expenses. You will receive the amount you were eligible for regardless of how much you spend on various expenses in order to attend Optometry’s Meeting. The travel grant funds will be distributed after the meeting, after the requirements have been confirmed for each individual. Again, regardless of how you pay for your expenses or how much you spend, you will receive the amount ($500, $750, $850 or $1,000) of the travel grant you were eligible for at the time of registration.
Who may I contact with additional questions?
You may reach out to aoaplus@aoa.org with additional questions.
AOA+ Early Career Doctors & Faculty FAQs
Are there requirements for receiving a travel grant?
Yes, requirements include the following:
- Be an AOA/AOSA member in good standing and either an
- Early career doctor with a graduation date between 2021 and 2025
Or
- Optometric educator or faculty member at an accredited school or college of optometry primarily engaged in school-related activities, e.g., teaching, research or administration
- Register by March 31
- Complete all required forms sent by AOA after March 31
- Attend Optometry’s Meeting
- Your attendance at AOA+ required sessions for students is not required. You are encouraged to participate in as much of the meeting as you can, taking advantage of those sessions that are of greatest interest to you and your career.
When will I receive my travel grant?
All funds, including your registration discount, will be distributed following Optometry’s Meeting once requirements are fulfilled and confirmed.
How will I receive my travel grant?
You will receive instructions from the AOA following the March 31 registration deadline that will request you to submit a completed W9 or W8. You may also provide banking information to a valid U.S. bank account. This will allow us to direct deposit your travel grant.
If you do not provide information to a valid U.S. bank account by the required deadline, your travel grant will be mailed after Optometry’s Meeting concludes to the address you provided on your W9 / W8 if you have met all meeting requirements.
50% of your registration fee will be refunded to the card provided during registration after the meeting concludes.
How are travel grants determined?
Your travel grant is determined by your graduation year or by your AOA membership category. Both faculty and new graduates are eligible for $500. 2026 graduates are eligible for $1000.
Where should I book my housing?
Visit the Optometry's Meeting website for housing details. You are not required to book your hotel using onPeak or at any of the designated hotels, but onPeak is the only hotel provider endorsed by Optometry's Meeting 2026. If you are contacted by other third-party companies offering hotel assistance, please be aware they are not endorsed by our event. Entering financial agreements with these companies can have costly consequences and are not protected by event management.
Do I need to provide receipts, proof of purchase or other documentation to receive the travel grant funds?
No, you do not need to provide receipts or other documentation. To receive the travel grant, you must meet registration and attendance requirements.
All expenses are out of pocket both before and during the meeting. Once travel grant requirements are confirmed (meeting and session attendance; see first FAQ), the travel grant amount you were eligible for will be sent to you after Optometry’s Meeting. There are no receipts, expense reports or documentation required to receive your funds.
Faculty and new graduates will receive their 50% registration discount refund at the same time as their travel grant payment.
Do I have to share a hotel room or housing with other attendees? Can I use points to book airfare? Can I get reimbursed for meals?
There are no requirements or restrictions on housing or other expenses. You will receive the amount you were eligible for regardless of how much you spend on various expenses in order to attend Optometry’s Meeting. The travel grant funds will be distributed after the meeting, after the requirements have been confirmed for each individual. Again, regardless of how you pay for your expenses or how much you spend, you will receive the amount ($500 or $1,000) of the travel grant you were eligible for at the time of registration.
Who may I contact with additional questions?
You may reach out to aoaplus@aoa.org with additional questions.
