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The IOFF-Subspecialty Fellowship Program invites young Ophthalmologists from low-resource or underserved countries to apply for an IOFF-Subspecialty Fellowship. Fellows are expected to bring their acquired knowledge and skills back to their native countries and participate in programs to preserve vision and prevent blindness.
Though not on the list of low-resource and underserved countries, candidates from Romania are invited to apply with us.

It is the generous participation of many training centers around the world, who are responsible for the success of the IOFF-Subspecialty Fellowship Program. All centers agree not to charge any fees for providing IOFF-Subspecialty Fellows with excellent scientific and clinical training. IOFF Subspecialty Fellowship Hosts are committed to assure a positive experience for the fellow, both inside and outside of the hospital. The IOFF Subspecialty Fellowship Office and hosts keep in close contact during the fellowship period in order to take best care of the individual. After the fellowship, both fellows and hosts report to the IOFF- Subspecialty Fellowship Office, which guarantees a continuous evaluation of the IOFF-Subspecialty Fellowship Program. Moreover, fellows are asked to keep on reporting to the Fellowship Office upon return to their countries of origin, which allows a long-term assessment of the fellowship achievements. These reports verify the sustainability, the usefulness and efficiency of the IOFF-Subspecialty Fellowship Program.

IOFF-Subspecialty Fellowships are offered in Cataract Surgery, Cornea and External Diseases, Glaucoma, Laboratory Microbiology/Ocular Pathology/Ocular Oncology, Low Vision and Rehabilitation, Medical Retina, Neuro-Ophthalmology, Ocular Oncology, Oculoplastic, Ophthalmo-Genetic, Pediatric Ophthalmology, Strabismus and Pediatric Ophthalmology, Retinoblastoma, ROP and Pediatric Retina, Uveitis and Vitreoretina.

Annually, depending on funding, 80-100 awards are available.

The IOFF-Subspecialty Fellowships do not support training in Refractive Surgery or Aesthetic Surgery.

IOFF-Subspecialty Fellowships are available with three-months duration and with one-year duration.

The relevance of the planned training to the candidate’s home institution and country receives particular attention in the assessment.

From the very beginning, pharmaceutical companies and organizations such as Ursapharm, Santen, Carl Zeiss Meditec, CBM, DOG, Dr. Rolf M. Schwiete Foundation as well as anonymous private benefactors have donated considerable amounts on a regular basis and have enhanced the possibilities of the IOFF-Subspecialty Fellowship Program tremendously.



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Opportunities:

IOFF-Three Month Subspecialty Fellowships

The IOFF-Three Month Subspeciality Fellowships Program invites young ophthalmologists from low-resource or underserved countries to apply for an IOFF-Three Month Subspecialty Fellowship award. Fellows are expected to bring their acquired knowledge and skills back to their native countries and participate in programs to preserve vision and prevent blindness.

Candidates can apply for funds, max. US$ 6000 resp. 5000 EURO, which helps cover expenses for return travel and student-style living expenses in the host city. It depends on the estimated living expenses in the host country.

Eligible candidates
* come from a low-resource or underserved country and permanently live and work there
* are under 40 years of age at the time of submitting their application file
* have completed their residency training and have passed their Specialist in Ophthalmology degree
* come with support from their previous chair and their present chair and
* are committed to resume their position after the training.
Ophthalmology Foundation Exams and ICO Exams are recommended and find consideration, yet are not mandatory.

Female Ophthalmologists are strongly encouraged to apply.

Click here for the Application form in English language.


IOFF-Retina Research Foundation Helmerich One-Year Subspecialty Fellowship Program

IOFF-Retina Research Foundation Helmerich One-Year Subspecialty Fellowships are awarded to 2 young ophthalmologists each year from low-resource or underserved countries who are dedicated to deepening the quality of ophthalmic education and patient care in their home countries. IOFF-One-Year Fellows are required to commit to returning to their home country after their fellowship and taking a position at a teaching institution or public service hospital to share their knowledge.

The IOFF-Retina Research Foundation Helmerich One-Year Subspecialty Fellowship award includes a grant of US$ 35.000 which helps cover expenses for return travel and student-style living in the host city. It depends on the estimated living expenses in the host country.

Annually, depending on funding, 2-4 awards are available.


Eligible candidates
* come from a low-resource or underserved country and permanently live and work there
* are under 40 years of age at the time of submitting their application file
* have completed their residency training
* have passed their Specialist in Ophthalmology degree
* come with support from their previous chair and their present chair and
* are committed to return to their homecountry to work on a teaching or public services position.
Ophthalmology Foundation Exams and ICO Exams are recommended and find consideration, yet are not mandatory.

Female Ophthalmologists are strongly encouraged to apply.

Click here for the Application form in English language.


AOI-IOFF Subspecialty Fellowship

The AOI-IOFF Research Fellowship allows a young ophthalmologist from a low-resource or underserved country to continue basic or clinical research at a chosen university, in a country abroad from where he/she lives. Applications are accepted in all subspecialties.
The AOI-IOFF Research Fellowship has a duration of six months.
The award goes with a grant of 14.000 Euro which will help cover the awardee’s expenses for return travel and student style living.

Candidates may fill in the online registration form and upload the requested documents.

Eligibility:
Candidate must be a graduate of an ophthalmology residency training program
Specialist exam in ophthalmology must be successfully passed
Minimum 12 months of research training should be completed
Candidate should be under 40 years of age at the time of applying.
Candidate must be reasonably fluent in the language of the fellowship training center and/or English


In addition to the online application form the following additional documents need to be submitted as part of the application process:
Detailed curriculum vitae
Detailed publication list and impact factors
Description of previous work in the field of the application
Application endorsement by the current program director/employer
Detailed description of how research work should be continued during the fellowship
Feasibility confirmation of the chosen host university
Confirmation from the present program director/employer that the applicant may return after his/her fellowship and resume his/her position.




IOFF-ACE One Year Subspecialty Fellowships

This is an exclusive opportunity for candidates from Honduras and other Latin-American countries.
Please contact cgo@ioff.org for the application form.

Click here for the Application form.


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