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, the Board of Trustees and the ARVO Awards Committee encourages the nominations of deserving colleagues for any of the following prestigious ARVO Achievement Awards.
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.
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.
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.
Established in 1988, this award commemorates 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.
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.
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.
Presented periodically to honor outstanding contribution to the vision research community. Examples include, but are not limited to: service to ARVO, advocacy and exemplary mentorship. Recipients receive a plaque presented at the ARVO Annual Meeting, complimentary registration, hotel, travel and per diem.
Submission of nominations is available for Proctor Medal, Friedenwald Award, Weisenfeld Award, Cogan Award, Kupfer Award, Special Recognition Award and must include:
One letter of nomination describing in detail the contributions of the nominee and her/his impact on vision science and/or eye care (no more than two pages).
Nominator is responsible for contacting three individuals who are closely familiar with the nominee's work and who support the award nomination and obtain a brief letter (no more than one page) for uploading into the awards site.
Provide a brief summary statement of approximately 75 words.
Nominee should create/update his or her Google scholar account prior to nomination.
Provide the nominee's current curriculum vitae, including full bibliography, and no more than one page listing presented lectures. Abstracts should not be included.
All nominations are for one year. Occasionally, the Awards Committee may hold a nomination for consideration the following year. Two years of award consideration must pass before an individual may be re-nominated for any 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.
In appreciation for dedicated service, these two awards are presented to selected reviewers and editors of ARVO's three journals ― IOVS, JOV, TVST ― for Excellence in Peer Review and Excellence in Editorial Service. The recipients are presented a plaque during the ARVO Annual Meeting.
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 presents the following awards each year, one to an established member and one to an early career member 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
There are no geographical restrictions for nominees or nominators. ARVO members may self-nominate and/or nominate other members. Nominations must include:
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.
This may include pictures, summaries, Advocacy Day or Hill Day materials, etc.
A short summary from the nominee discussing how they will incorporate advocacy into their future work.
A brief statement from the nominee that explains why they dedicate time to advocacy.
Nominations for both awards are reviewed by Advocacy and Outreach Committee members. Nominees will be scored on the following criteria:
Awardees are notified in February 2026. Each honoree receives a complimentary registration for the 2026 ARVO Annual Meeting where they will be recognized with a plaque commemorating this achievement.
