Travel Grants

The Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology (APAO) is committed to promoting excellence in ophthalmology and nurturing the professional development of ophthalmologists, researchers, residents, and trainees across the Asia-Pacific region. As part of its efforts to foster knowledge exchange and collaboration, it offers two types of Travel Grants to support aspiring delegates in attending its annual congress each year.

This year, the highly anticipated 42^nd APAO Congress will take place from March 18 – 21, 2027 in Singapore. We encourage up-and-coming professionals in the field to join us and apply for the following opportunities:

APAO Prof. Yasuo Tano Travel Grants

Awards available: 10

Eligibility:

- Open to all ophthalmologists in the Asia-Pacific region, including fully licensed eye doctors, residents, trainees, and fellows, with priority for those from developing countries
- No age limit, but candidates aged 40 or below will be given an advantage
- Must submit at least one abstract (free paper/ poster/ e-poster/ video/ instruction course) as the first author to APAO 2027
- Previous recipients (except those from 2026) will be considered, though priority will be given to first-timers
- Applicants may concurrently apply for the APAO Young Ophthalmologists Travel Grants, but will be selected for up to one grant only

APAO Young Ophthalmologists (YO) Travel Grants

Awards available: 5

Eligibility:

- Young ophthalmologists, including fully licensed eye doctors, residents, trainees, and fellows
- From a developing country in the Asia-Pacific region
- Must be aged below 40
- Must submit at least one abstract (free paper/ poster/ e-poster/ video/ instruction course) as the first author to APAO 2027
- Applicants may concurrently apply for the APAO Yasuo Tano Travel Grants, but will be selected for up to one grant only

Awards

Winners of both types of Travel Grants will receive:

funding of US$300 for those residing in Singapore, or US$1,000 for those living elsewhere
complimentary registration for the APAO 2027 Congress
invitation to the Congress Cultural Party

Application

The application portal will open on May 15, 2026.

Timeline

*Project timeline may be subject to minor adjustments.

Selection

The APAO Travel Grants Committees will start selection after the abstract results are announced.
Only applicants who have an abstract (as the first author) accepted by the APAO 2027 Scientific Program Committee will be considered as potential candidates for the Travel Grants. Please note that abstract review and Travel Grant selection are two independent processes conducted by different committees. Abstracts are anonymized in the review process, and the acceptance of your abstract does not guarantee the award of a travel grant.
Geographical balance will be taken into consideration when the Travel Grant Committees vet applications.
Successful candidates will be notified by the end of November. Those who do not hear back from APAO after that may consider their applications unsuccessful.

Note on Congress Registration Fee Payment

For successful applicants who have already paid the Congress registration fee by the time a Travel Grant is awarded, a full refund will be processed.