Hey future researchers and aspiring optometrists! 👋 Ever dreamed of diving deep into cutting-edge optometry research? Well, get ready, because the **College of Optometrists** in the UK has opened applications for their exciting Research Bursary programme for the 2025-2026 academic year!
Important Note for South African Students: While Bursaries Room is your go-to for SA opportunities, this specific bursary is offered by the College of Optometrists, a professional body in the United Kingdom, and is primarily for students and members *within the UK*. If you’re eligible to study or work in the UK, keep reading!
This fantastic programme offers significant financial aid to help bright minds like yours explore and contribute to the future of optometry. If you’re passionate about eye health and research, this could be your golden ticket!
Who Can Apply?
The College of Optometrists Research Bursary programme is looking for dedicated individuals at various stages of their academic journey. You could be eligible if you are:
- An **undergraduate student** keen to get started in research. They have specific scholarships like the new Angela Bishop Undergraduate Research Scholarships for Paediatric Optometry and Binocular Vision!
- A **postgraduate student** pursuing advanced research in optometry.
- A **member of the College of Optometrists** who is engaging in a relevant research project.
Essentially, if you’re involved in optometry, want to contribute to its knowledge base through research, and meet the specific criteria set by the College for UK-based applicants, you should definitely check this out!
What Does It Cover?
This isn’t just one type of funding – it’s a whole suite of support to help you make your research dreams a reality! The programme includes:
- **Angela Bishop Undergraduate Research Scholarships for Paediatric Optometry and Binocular Vision:** Two awards, each offering £2,000 (that’s about R47,000, depending on exchange rates!) to support undergraduate research focusing on children’s eye health and vision.
- **College Research Scholarships:** Two additional scholarships, also offering £2,000 each, for broader optometry research projects.
- **Postgraduate Travel Bursaries:** Funding of £2,000 to help postgraduate students attend conferences or undertake research-related travel.
- **Small Grants Scheme for Researchers:** Other grants designed to support various research initiatives.
In total, the College provides over £6,000 in direct financial aid for these projects, showing their commitment to fostering excellence in the optometry profession through research. These funds can help cover project costs, equipment, travel, and more!
How to Apply?
Ready to make your mark in optometry research? Here’s what you need to know:
- The College of Optometrists highly recommends that you **contact their research team in advance**. They offer incredible support with your submissions and project planning, so don’t miss out on that help!
- You’ll need to prepare a detailed application outlining your research project and how you meet the eligibility criteria for the specific scholarship or bursary you’re applying for.
- **Find the Official Application:** All application forms, detailed eligibility requirements, and submission instructions will be available on the official College of Optometrists website. Make sure you search for their official site and navigate to their ‘Research Funding’ or ‘Bursaries’ section.
The application deadline for the College of Optometrists Research Bursary 2025 is **31 October 2025**. Don’t leave it until the last minute!
If this sounds like the perfect opportunity for your research journey (and you meet the UK eligibility!), don’t wait — apply now! For our South African students, remember to explore more local bursaries on Bursaries Room that are specifically tailored for opportunities within South Africa!
