ORLANDO—The American Academy of Optometry held its inaugural program, The Research Academy, in Columbus, Ohio on July 17 to 19, 2018 with 60 vision researchers, graduate students, optometric leaders and health agency officials in attendance. The Research Academy was designed to help optometry faculty attendees develop ideas that will result in extramural funding for both basic and patient-oriented research in optometry and vision science. The program exemplifies the Academy’s commitment to supporting vision research and aligns with the Academy’s vision, “Today’s Research, Tomorrow’s Practice.”

“We are pleased with the outcome of our first staging of The Research Academy. The program facilitated collaboration among attendees, and their ideas and research approaches were critically evaluated by experienced researchers with a history of extramural funding and by National Eye Institute staff,” explained Karla Zadnik, OD, PhD, FAAO, chair of the Academy’s Research Committee and dean at The Ohio State University College of Optometry.”

The program included a video presentation by Israel Goldberg, PhD of Health Research Associates and featured a mock National Institutes of Health-style study section with experienced reviewers so that attendees could experience how submitted grants are evaluated. Components of a viable research idea, an overview of the National Eye Institute and its funding mechanisms, and federal changes to the regulations that govern biomedical research were also emphasized.

In addition to the Research Academy, the American Academy of Optometry and American Academy of Optometry Foundation support research through other programs that provide funding for researchers. Programs include the Career Development Award to support researchers early in their career, the Clinical Research Award to support clinical research groups, and the William C. Ezell Fellowship program designed to encourage individuals to pursue full-time careers in optometric research.