Now Accepting Applications for the
2025 ABMS Visiting Scholars Program™
Are you an early-career ophthalmologist eager to advance your leadership skills and contribute to the future of specialty certification? The American Board of Medical Specialties Visiting Scholars Program™ offers a unique opportunity to engage with national thought leaders, expand your research, and gain valuable insights into certification and assessment in health care.
Program Highlights:
- One-year, part-time program supporting research and leadership development
- $15,000 grant to support research and travel expenses
- Engagement with ABMS experts, mentors, and national leaders
- Opportunities to present research at ABMS Conference 2026
Launched in 2014, the Visiting Scholars Program supports early-career physicians and researchers in scholarship and leadership development focusing on physician assessment in initial and continuing board certification. Visiting Scholars are selected based on the quality of their proposed research project, the relevance of their research to the ABMS mission and the certification community, and the likelihood of making substantial progress on the project during the scholar year.
Research Priorities:
The program invites applications for projects that focus on:
✔ Diagnostic excellence across specialties
✔ Competency-based medical education and assessment
✔ Equity and diversity in health care
✔ Physician engagement in quality improvement and patient safety
In particular, the American Board of Ophthalmology supports proposals that evaluate the effectiveness of certification programs and activities; examine the relationships between certification and physician education, clinical practice, and career-long improvement; contribute meaningfully to the literature about physician competence; and promote psychometric equity, excellence, and fairness. The ABO co-sponsors at least one scholar annually, supporting research that explores topics pertinent to patient care and physician competence.
Former ABO Scholars
2022-2023
Divya Srikumaran, MD
Associate Professor of Ophthalmology and Vice Chair of Education
Johns Hopkins University
2023-2024
Matthew R. Starr, MD
Assistant Professor of Ophthalmology
Mayo Clinic
Fasika Woreta, MD, MPH
Associate Professor of Ophthalmology
Wilmer Eye Institute/Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine
2024-2025
Julius Oatts, MD, MHS
Division of Pediatric Ophthalmology
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Important Dates:
📅 Informational Webinar: Tuesday, April 15, 5 PM CT
📅 Application Deadline: June 23 at 11:59 PM CT
📅 Program Start: September
📅 Final Presentation: ABMS Conference 2026
Learn More & Apply: