International Council of Ophthalmology (ICO) Fellowships 2026
The 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 is to strengthen eye-care systems globally by ensuring fellows return to their home countries and apply the skills and knowledge gained to 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.
Eligibility
Open to applicants of all nationalities who have completed ophthalmology residency training, passed a specialist exam in ophthalmology, and are permanently based in an eligible low-resource country. Applicants must not apply for training in their home country, must not have received an ICO Fellowship previously, and should be reasonably fluent in English or the host institution’s language.
Benefits
Funding varies by fellowship type, generally covering living expenses and return travel. Stipends range from US$ 6,000 to US$ 50,000 depending on the fellowship.
