Are you an early to mid-career ophthalmologist, researcher, PhD candidate or postdoctoral fellow with groundbreaking ideas or remarkable achievements in ophthalmology? Here comes a golden competition opportunity to showcase your talent, gain top-tier mentorship and secure generous research funding!
Hosted by Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center (ZOC) of Sun Yat-sen University, the Ophthalmology Next-Gen Global Challenge is now open for global submissions, aiming to identify and empower the next generation of innovators in ophthalmology.
Focus Areas
The competition centers on hot topics and cutting-edge fields in ophthalmology, with submissions welcome for research proposals or achievements that boast innovativeness and clinical potential in the following domains:
Artificial intelligence (AI) in ophthalmology
Gene therapy
Stem cell therapy
Innovative drugs
Novel surgical techniques
Mechanisms of ocular diseases
New diagnostic and therapeutic concepts
Competition Tracks
We've set up two tailored tracks to cater to different stages of your research:
Innovative Proposal Track: For pioneering research ideas that have not yet been initiated, offering a platform to turn your creative concepts into actionable plans.
Innovation Achievement Track: For high-level, completed scientific research outcomes, allowing you to demonstrate the value and impact of your finished work.
Key Timeline
Mark these crucial dates to ensure you don't miss out on the competition:
Call for Submissions: November - December 2025 (global promotion and submission period is now underway)
Submission Deadline: December 30, 2025
Preliminary Review: After the deadline, an international panel organized by ZOC will conduct a blinded review, selecting the top 10 participants from each track (20 in total) for the semi-finals, plus an additional 10 Merit Awards (non-advancing)
Semi-Finals: Early January 2026 (on-site at ZOC in Guangzhou; online participation is available with prior approval from the Organizing Committee). The top 12 highest-scoring semi-finalists will be funded to attend the APAO Congress in Hong Kong, with the top 6 advancing to the grand finals
Grand Finals: February 5-8, 2026, at the APAO Congress in Hong Kong, where finalists will deliver live presentations and defenses to compete for top prizes
Attractive Awards & Exclusive Benefits
Tiered Collaborative Open Grants (per track)
First Prize: ¥300,000 (CNY) research funding, access to ZOC's laboratory space and equipment, plus mentorship from a team of expert advisors
Second Prize: ¥180,000 (CNY) research funding, laboratory resources and professional mentorship
Third Prize: ¥100,000 (CNY) research funding, access to lab facilities and expert guidance
Additional Funding & Perks
APAO Congress Funding: The top 12 semi-finalists (including 6 finalists) will receive sponsorship covering travel, accommodation and conference registration for the APAO Congress in Hong Kong
Proof-of-Concept & Commercialization Support: Semi-finalists and Merit Award winners can access Guangzhou's Concept Verification Center, with facilitated connections to leading ophthalmic corporations and venture capital firms for project translation and commercialization
Long-term Mentorship: A 12-24 month mentorship program led by internationally renowned experts to support your long-term academic and research development
Media Exposure: Winning teams will get promotional coverage on influential media platforms to enhance their academic and professional visibility
How to Participate
Register and submit your proposals via the links below:
English: https://surveymars.com/q/mVBEABbin
Chinese: https://v.wjx.cn/vm/rayBSLA.aspx
Learn More:
English Announcement: http://www.gzzoc.org.cn/en/node/13955
Chinese Announcement: http://www.gzzoc.org.cn/node/13957
For any inquiries, feel free to contact the organizing committee at: zoc_apao@gzzoc.com
The Organizing Committee reserves the right of final interpretation of this event and its regulations.
Don't let this chance slip away! Whether you have a bold research idea waiting to be realized or a remarkable achievement to showcase, the Ophthalmology Next-Gen Global Challenge is your stage to shine and contribute to the future of ophthalmology. We look forward to your submissions!
