The AOA Foundation Announces New Silhouette Scholarship
The AOA Foundation announced the launch of a new scholarship in partnership with The Silhouette Group. The Silhouette Scholarship is available to one second-year student and will award $2,500 annually.
“The AOA Foundation is always looking for new and innovative ways to support students,” said Lynn Hammonds, O.D., The AOA Foundation Student Scholarship Committee Chair. “The Silhouette Scholarship is an amazing opportunity to hear how the next generation plans to prioritize sustainability.”
The scholarship opens September 10, and all materials are due November 3, 2025. The winner will be announced in January 2026.
“Silhouette is rooted in sustainability, and we’re thrilled to hear from the next generation of doctors of optometry. There’s always room for new environmentally conscious ideas and Silhouette is continually looking for ways to reduce overall environmental impact,” said Craig LaManna, Director of Marketing at Silhouette. “This scholarship offers a pathway to nurture our future leaders as we all continue to look out for our planet.”
Scholarship Details and Eligibility
Silhouette is renowned for its minimalistic approach to eyewear design, prioritizing both innovation and environmental consciousness. Silhouette and The AOA Foundation will award a $2,500 scholarship to the author of the essay that best outlines how they plan to contribute to a more sustainable future in eye care as a doctor of optometry.
To be considered for this scholarship, an applicant must also:
Be a second-year optometry student (class of 2028) in good membership standing with the American Optometric Student Association (AOSA) and the American Optometric Association (AOA).
Be in good academic standing based on your school’s criteria.
For more information and to apply, visit The AOA Foundation’s website.
2026 Student Scholarships
The AOA Foundation offers numerous student scholarships as a pillar in its mission to invest in the present and future success of optometry students.
About The American Optometric Association
The American Optometric Association (AOA), founded in 1898, is the leading authority on quality care and an advocate for our nation’s health, representing more than 50,000 doctors of optometry (O.D.), optometric professionals, and optometry students.
Doctors of optometry take a leading role in patient care with respect to eye and vision care, as well as general health and well-being. As primary health care providers, doctors of optometry have extensive, ongoing training to examine, diagnose, treat, and manage ocular disorders, diseases, and injuries, and systemic diseases that manifest in the eye.
About The AOA Foundation
The American Optometric Association (AOA) has always supported charitable efforts relating to eye health and vision care. In 2006, AOA formally created The AOA Foundation to further the profession and increase access. With our strategic ties with the AOA, strong volunteer leadership, and generous donors, The AOA Foundation is able to manage InfantSEE®, administer Optometry’s Fund for Disaster Relief, provide scholarship grants for educational assistance, and maintain the Archives and Museum for the optometric profession.
About Silhouette
Founded in 1964, Silhouette is the global leader in premium rimless eyewear. In 1999, the family-operated company revolutionized the glasses industry with an innovative screwless, hingeless, and rimless model called Titan Minimal Art. This innovative design – made from start to finish in Austria and weighing only 1.8 grams – was unlike anything the world had ever seen. All Silhouette glasses are made from the highest quality materials using cutting-edge technology and the finest handcraftsmanship. In fact, around 80% of the build is carried out by hand. This ensures the glasses deliver best-in-class comfort to a global market of more than 100 countries on five continents and in space. With 50 patents and over 100 design awards under its belt, Silhouette has a relentless commitment to quality: Over 100 quality control checks must be carried out before a single pair of glasses leaves its headquarters in Linz, Austria.
About Silhouette Group
Headquartered in Linz, Austria, the Silhouette Group is the world’s leading manufacturer of premium eyewear, with over 1,300 employees worldwide. With 13 international subsidiaries, the family-owned company is the market leader in rimless eyewear, which has brought it acclaim and success around the world. Exports account for 95% of their production. Silhouette eyewear is available in over 100 countries. Since 2017, the company has been a full-service provider of frames and lenses – Made in Austria.
Original link: https://www.opticaljournal.com/the-aoa-foundation-announces-new-silhouette-scholarship/