Achievement Awards

ARVO Achievement Awards

The ARVO Achievement Awards are a prestigious honor, recognizing individuals for their exceptional contributions to ophthalmology and visual science. Open to all members of the vision research community, nominations of diverse candidates are encouraged.

Application Timeline

Applications open on Nov. 1

Applications close on March 1, 2024

Recipients notified in May 2024 and will present at ARVO 2025

NOTE: the deadline for Advocacy Awards was Jan. 5, 2024

Awards:

• Proctor Medal* - established in 1949 as a memorial to Dr. Francis I. Proctor, an ophthalmologist who conducted extensive research on the etiology and treatment of trachoma, this award honors outstanding research in the basic or clinical sciences as applied to ophthalmology. This was the first ophthalmology-related award to honor non-clinicians in the field. The recipient presents the Proctor Award Lecture at the ARVO Annual Meeting and receives the Proctor Medal, complimentary registration, hotel, travel and per diem.

• Friedenwald Award* - established in 1957, this award is a memorial to Dr. Jonas S. Friedenwald, a distinguished researcher whose contributions encompassed the entire field of ophthalmic investigations. His pioneer studies on the pathogenesis of glaucoma, corneal wound healing and diseases of the retina laid the groundwork for future generations of investigators. Like the Proctor Medal, this award honors outstanding research in the basic or clinical sciences as applied to ophthalmology. The Award recipient presents the Friedenwald Award Lecture at the ARVO Annual Meeting and receives a plaque, complimentary registration, hotel, travel and per diem.
  
  *Please note that the criteria for these two awards are the same, and that the nomination process for these two awards are combined.

• Mildred Weisenfeld Award for Excellence in Ophthalmology - this award was established as a tribute to Mildred Weisenfeld's outstanding contributions to the field, including the founding of Fight for Sight in 1946. As a young woman with retinitis pigmentosa, she found support was directed to charitable assistance for those with vision disorders. She believed that by encouraging research and researchers, the result would have a greater impact. This award is presented to an individual in recognition of distinguished scholarly contributions to the clinical practice of ophthalmology. The recipient presents the Weisenfeld Award Lecture at the ARVO Annual Meeting and receives a plaque, complimentary registration, hotel, travel and per diem.

• Cogan Award - established in 1988, this award commemorate Dr. David G. Cogan for his outstanding leadership and commitment to advancing the understanding of the causes, mechanisms, and treatment of human eye disease. This award is intended to recognize a young researcher, 45 years of age or younger at the time of application deadline, who has made important and worthwhile contributions to research in ophthalmology or visual science that are directly related to disorders of the human eye or visual system, and who shows substantial promise for future contributions. The recipient presents the Cogan Award Lecture at the ARVO Annual Meeting and receives a plaque, complimentary registration, hotel, travel and per diem. Cogan Award recipients are eligible to receive one of the other ARVO awards at a later date.

• Kupfer Award - this award was first presented in 1993 to Dr. Carl Kupfer, who served as Director of the National Eye Institute, U.S. National Institutes of Health, for 30 years. The award honors those who have demonstrated distinguished public service with national or global impact, on behalf of eye and vision research. Recipients receive a plaque which is presented at the ARVO Annual Meeting, complimentary registration, hotel, travel and per diem.

• Joanne G. Angle Award - first presented in 2012 posthumously to Joanne G. Angle, ARVO Executive Director for 22 years, this award is the highest service honor bestowed by ARVO to a volunteer professional. The award recognizes outstanding leaders who have made significant, continuous contributions to ARVO in support of its mission. The recipient will show obvious personal involvement in and commitment to ARVO as well as contributions to the vision research community. The recipient receives complimentary registration and a plaque which is presented at the ARVO Annual Meeting.

• Special Recognition Award - presented periodically to honor outstanding service to ARVO or the vision research community. Recipients receive a plaque presented at the ARVO Annual Meeting, complimentary registration, hotel, travel and per diem.

• Distinguished Service Award - presented to elected ARVO officers and editors-in-chief upon completion of their terms, in appreciation for dedicated service to ARVO. The recipients are presented a plaque during the ARVO Annual Meeting.

• ARVO Advocacy Awards - NOTE: deadline for Advocacy Awards was Jan. 5, 2024
  The field of eye and vision research is indebted to the tireless advocates who educate policy makers and decision makers on the fiscal and personal return-on-investments of research funding, resulting in sustained commitments from countries for their intramural and extramural programming. In recognition of this crucial role, ARVO is honored to present the following awards each year to a well-established member and a Member-in-Training who are committed to advocating on behalf of eye and vision research and ensuring its advancement:

• • Achievements in Eye and Vision Advocacy Award
  • Emerging Advocate Award

The ARVO Achievement Award nomination period opens November 1. Awardees will receive one compensated registration to ARVO’s Annual Meeting and a plaque commemorating this achievement. Learn about eligibility for these awards.