Silhouette Scholarship

ATTENTION SECOND YEAR STUDENTS!

The Silhouette Group was founded in 1964 by Annelise and Arnold Schmied and is the largest independent family-owned eyewear company in the world. Silhouette eyewear is available in over 100 countries, with all frames and lenses hand-crafted in Linz, Austria with a huge focus on sustainability. Silhouette is known for lightweight comfort, the perfect fit for each consumer, and long-lasting durability. Throughout the manufacturing process, they continually look for ways to reduce overall environmental impact.

Silhouette is renowned for its minimalistic approach to eyewear design, prioritizing both innovation and environmental consciousness. Silhouette and The AOA Foundation will award a $2,500 scholarship to the author of the essay that best meets the criteria outlined below. In addition, a new $1,000 second-place scholarship supported by the AOA Foundation will be awarded to the student submitting the second-highest rated essay.

To be considered for this scholarship, an applicant must:

• Be a second-year optometry student (class of 2029) in good membership standing with the American Optometric Student Association (AOSA) and the American Optometric Association (AOA).
• Be in good academic standing based on your school’s criteria.
• Submit an essay, written in English, not to exceed 1,500 words on the following topic:
  • The Silhouette Group prioritizes sustainability in eyewear production and resource conservation. Their approach includes water conservation, in-house electricity generation, minimal material use, waste avoidance, and CO2-neutral eyewear production with offsetting, alongside various other eco-friendly initiatives. As a future doctor of optometry, how will you contribute to a more sustainable future in eye care?

Deadline to Apply: November 2, 2026

Click Here to Apply