Winner of the Victoria Cohen Scholarship 2025 announced – Dr Kalpita Das

The Victoria Cohen Eye Cancer Charitable Trust is delighted to announce that the winner of the Victoria Cohen Scholarship 2025 is Dr. Kalpita Das from Kolkata, India.

Nicholas Rapley, Chair of the VCECCT commented, ‘The charity exists to support aspiring ocular oncologists with the cost of their training and education. As usual, applications were received from all over the world and the judging panel had a difficult task deciding who should win the award. Ultimately, the judges were impressed by Dr. Das’ experience and enthusiasm to support those affected by eye cancer in Kolkata after her training. There is a significant need for more ocular oncologists in India and we are thrilled to support Dr. Das through her fellowship.’

Dr. Das made the following statement upon receiving news of her scholarship:
The Victoria Cohen Scholarship Award is a transformative opportunity that will allow me to pursue my dream of a fellowship in ocular oncology. Coming from India, a country with a significant burden of ocular cancers but limited specialized centres, this fellowship is critical for me to gain advanced training and bring international expertise back to my region.

The sponsorship will enable me to focus entirely on my training, mastering cutting-edge techniques, protocols, and technologies that will significantly enhance the quality of care I can provide upon my return. Moreover, this award would allow me to contribute to research initiatives during the fellowship, contributing to advancements in the field while addressing challenges unique to low-resource settings and working toward innovative, cost-effective solutions.

The Victoria Cohen Sponsorship Award is indeed a lifeline that would enable me to achieve my aspirations and serve a greater purpose. It would bridge the gap between my passion and the opportunity to gain world-class training, ensuring that I can fully dedicate myself to learning, growing, and ultimately giving back to my community.

I am extremely motivated to succeed in this fellowship and fulfil my vision of making ocular oncology care accessible, affordable, and effective for those who need it most. This sponsorship will allow me to live my dream, overcome financial barriers, and contribute meaningfully to the advancement of ocular oncology in India and globally.

The award is subject to obtaining necessary visas and work permits.

The deadline for the Victoria Cohen Scholarship 2026 is 31st December 2025.