The College of Optometrists

A key element of the College of Optometrists’ research strategy is  to encourage and support research carried out by College Members within their community practice.  The Small Grants Scheme, administered as part of  iPRO, Innovation in Practice-based Research for Optometrists, the College of Optometrists’ research support service, provides funding to enable College Members to develop research expertise by undertaking small-scale research projects with help and support from experienced researchers.

The following are just a few examples of the sorts of topics that may be suitable for a Small Grant:

• Evaluation of any difference found in subjective refraction when using a refractor head compared with a trial frame
• The impact of media images on children’s attitudes towards wearing spectacles  
• Factors associated with the decision to seek an eye examination
• Evaluation of the difference in interpretation of the appearance of the fundus and/or disc appearance between direct ophthalmoscopy and binocular indirect ophthalmoscopy
• Measuring the effectiveness of various interventions in the routine eye examination

Small Grants cover the material costs of a research project and may include paying for locum cover.

Potential researchers may contact iPRO for advice before making an application. As projects progress, iPRO will maintain regular contact with grant holders to provide ongoing advice and training to help increase the prospect of the project reaching conclusion as well as encouraging and supporting the dissemination of findings. 

Each grant will be worth a maximum of £10,000 and up to five grants will be allocated each year.

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