ICO International Fellowships
The ICO Fellowships were organized to help promising young ophthalmologists, especially those from developing countries, improve their practical skills and broaden their perspectives of ophthalmology.
Fellows are expected to bring the acquired knowledge and skills back to their country of origin and take part in programs to preserve and restore vision.
The Fellowship duration is three months, but the program is intended to be flexible to meet the needs of different countries and individuals. The Fellowships are awarded twice a year, with application deadlines of March 31 and September 30.
Each year, approximately 60 ICO Fellowships can be awarded. More than 350 Fellowships have been awarded since the program began in 2000.
Eligibility
- Basic residency training in ophthalmology
- Under 40 years of age
- Must return to native country after the training, resume previous positions, and apply the Fellowship knowledge
- Candidates who have passed the ICO International Basic Science and Clinical Sciences Examinations for Ophthalmologists (www.icoexams.org) will receive special consideration
Selection Criteria
- Candidate qualifications, research and teaching activity
- International work experience, charity work
- Application performance
- Relevance to the candidate’s home institution and country
- Balanced geographical representation
The review procedure takes about three months, and the committee’s decision is confidential, final, and non-negotiable.
