Policy on Collaborations with Other Organizations
Purpose/Goal
Although ARVO is not a grant-making institution, the Association welcomes opportunities to join, partner and collaborate with organizations and institutions on relevant activities that support our mission and strategic goals. The purpose of this policy is to provide a framework for considering and evaluating existing and potential new collaborations. ARVO's goal is to utilize this framework to proactively establish potential new collaborations in line with ARVO's mission and goals and as guidance for the review and determination of acceptance for unsolicited partnerships.
Types of collaboration
Institutional membership
ARVO represents the vision research community and participates in appropriate activities by joining/paying dues for institutional/organizational membership in relevant nonprofit groups.
Reciprocal marketing and promotion agreements
ARVO enters into mutually beneficial exchanges of advertising, exhibit booths and other in-kind activities with appropriate organizations.
Jointly sponsored/reciprocal symposia or events
ARVO organizes or co-organizes the scientific program for symposia or events hosted at partner organizations' meetings and provides travel support for ARVO member presenters who would not normally attend. (This is defined as presenters who are not members of partner organization and have not attended partner organizations' previous three meetings).
Cosponsorship of another organization's conference/event
This may include:
In-kind support: ARVO will promote events relevant to the vision research community that are organized by nonprofit groups by listing them in the online ARVO Calendar (available to the public) and sharing them in relevant member e-newsletters.
Endorsement: ARVO reviews program content and determines alignment with ARVO's mission and goals. Accepted events may use the ARVO name and logo (in adherence with ARVO Identity Guidelines), the phrase "Endorsed by ARVO" and will be provided with in-kind promotional support.
Limited cosponsorship (excludes ARVO funding): Program committee must include ARVO members, and the ARVO Professional Development and Education Committee must approve the topic, program overview and objectives. ARVO lends its name/logo to the other organization and provides promotional materials, complimentary advertising in ARVO publications and on the ARVO website, assistance with resource development, assistance with obtaining meeting space, but not expenditure of ARVO funds. ARVO receives a portion of the organization's registration income.
Cosponsorship (may include ARVO funding): Program committee must include ARVO members, and the ARVO Professional Development and Education Committee must approve the topic, program overview and objectives. ARVO lends its name/logo to the other organization and provides promotional materials, complimentary advertising in ARVO publications, and complimentary exhibit space at the ARVO Annual Meeting. ARVO provides staff time, and possibly start-up funds, host's event information on the ARVO website and provides complimentary one-time use of member postal mailing list. ARVO may also administer abstract submissions and registration. ARVO receives a portion of the meeting's registration income.
Financial support
ARVO may be able to provide limited funding-only support for appropriate groups, activities and events.
Criteria
ARVO will evaluate requests for collaboration in terms of potential impact and alignment with the Association's mission, availability of funding, strategic goals and overall benefit to members and the eye and vision community.
Questions to be considered:
- What is the partner organization's mission? Are there elements in common with ARVO's mission or strategic goals?
- Does the specific initiative align with any of ARVO's strategic goals or areas of activity?
- Is the request from the government (NIH/NEI, DOD, FDA, outside the U.S.)?
- Who is the primary audience for the activity? How large is it?
- Is there an overlap in audience/membership? If yes, how great is the overlap and what segment of the ARVO membership is involved? If no, are potential ARVO members among this audience?
- Is there scientific educational content involved? Will ARVO have the opportunity to participate in programming or review this content?
- Does it complement or compete with our activities?
- What are the mutual benefits of the requested activity for the requester and for ARVO? Would ARVO receive unique exposure as a result of this activity? Are there tangible resources or benefits the Association or our members could gain?
- Is the requester providing a means to help us measure success or impact?
Proposal and review
Proposals must be submitted using the Collaboration Request Form at least 9 months before the meeting or activity takes place. Notification of proposal status will be sent to the submitter 4 - 6 weeks after submission. If accepted, an agreement may be executed to define roles and responsibilities and to define financial arrangements, if applicable.