International Council of Ophthalmology (ICO) Fellowships 2026
The International Council of Ophthalmology (ICO) Fellowship Program is designed to support young ophthalmologists from low‑resource countries by providing advanced clinical and research training opportunities at leading international institutions.
The core objective of ICO Fellowships is to strengthen eye‑care systems globally by ensuring fellows return to their home countries and apply the skills and knowledge gained to prevent vision impairment and improve eye health services.
These fellowships are highly competitive and internationally recognized, making them an excellent opportunity for early‑career eye specialists seeking global exposure and advanced subspecialty training.
Degree Level
ICO currently offers the following fellowship programs:
- ICO Three‑Month Fellowship
- ICO–World Glaucoma Association (WGA) Three‑Month Fellowship
- ICO–National Eye Institute (NEI) One‑Year Fellowship in Ocular Genetics
- ICO–AbbVie Advanced Research Fellowship
Available Subjects
ICO Fellowships are available in the following ophthalmology subspecialties:
- General Ophthalmology
- Pediatric Ophthalmology & Strabismus
- Glaucoma
- Uveitis
- Cornea & External Diseases (excluding refractive surgery)
- Medical Retina
- Vitreous‑Retinal Surgery
- Oculoplastic
- Cataract Surgery
- Ocular Oncology
- Neuro‑Ophthalmology
- Ocular Pathology
- Community Eye Health
- Trauma
- Ocular Genetics
- Dry Eye
- Tumours
Benefits
The benefits vary by fellowship type but generally include:
- Financial Support for living expenses and return travel
- International clinical or research exposure at top institutions
- Hands‑on or observership‑based training
- Professional networking with global ophthalmology experts
- Career advancement and academic recognition
Fellowship Funding Details
- ICO Three‑Month Fellowship: US$ 6,000
- ICO‑WGA Three‑Month Fellowship: US$ 6,000
- ICO‑NEI One‑Year Fellowship: US$ 25,000
- ICO‑AbbVie Advanced Research Fellowship: US$ 50,000 stipend
Eligible Nationalities
- Open to applicants of all nationalities.
Eligibility Criteria
To be eligible for an ICO Fellowship, applicants must:
- Have completed ophthalmology residency training
- Have successfully passed a specialist exam in ophthalmology
- Be permanently based and working in an eligible low‑resource country
- Not apply for training in their home country
- Not have received an ICO Fellowship previously
- Be reasonably fluent in English or the host institution’s language
- Commit to returning to their home country after the fellowship
- Resume their previous position and apply the acquired skills locally
- Applicants from countries with an ICO Member Society and those who have passed ICO Examinations receive special consideration.
Fellowship‑Specific Eligibility Highlights
ICO–WGA Three‑Month Fellowship
- Open to candidates from Sub‑Saharan Africa and Southeast Asia
- Applicants must specialize in Glaucoma
- Application deadline: 30 September
ICO–NEI One‑Year Fellowship in Ocular Genetics
- Training location: National Eye Institute (NIH), USA
- Requires a recommendation from the head of a teaching institution or public hospital
- Applicants must commit to returning to a teaching or public service position
ICO–AbbVie Advanced Research Fellowship
- Open to candidates from all countries
- Applicant must be under 40 years of age
- Minimum 12 months of prior research training required
- One fellowship awarded annually
- Application deadline: 31 March
Application Procedure
Follow these steps to apply for an ICO Fellowship:
- Review fellowship‑specific eligibility criteria carefully
Prepare required documents, including:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Proof of residency completion
- Specialist exam certificate
- Recommendation letters (if required)
- Research proposal (for research fellowships)
Secure endorsement from your employer or institution (if applicable)
Submit the online application through the ICO Fellowship Portal
Await selection results and award notification
