Moorfields Eye Charity

Charity Number: 1140679

Annual Expenditure: £28.2M
Islington

Contact Info

Website: https://moorfieldseyecharity.org.uk

Phone: 020 7566 2565

Email: moorfields.eyecharity@nhs.net

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £2.5 million research funding annually (£26.4 million total grants approved in 2024)
  • Success Rate: Not published
  • Decision Time: 3-5 months (Innovation & Improvement grants)
  • Grant Range: £200 - £150,000+ (varies by programme)
  • Geographic Focus: UK-focused (Moorfields Eye Hospital and UCL IoO)

Contact Details

Website: https://moorfieldseyecharity.org.uk

Email: moorfields.eyecharity@nhs.net

Phone: 020 7566 2565

Grant enquiries: grants@moorfieldseyecharity.org.uk

Application portal: https://moorfieldseyecharity.flexigrant.com/

Overview

Moorfields Eye Charity (established 2011) is the official charity of Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, supporting world-leading eye research, education and patient care. With annual research funding of £2.5 million, the charity has awarded 263 grants worth almost £60 million between 2021-2025. Led by CEO Robert Harland, who brings over 30 years of charity leadership experience, the charity focuses exclusively on advancing eye health through strategic partnerships with Moorfields Eye Hospital and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology. The charity operates with a clear mission to fund leading-edge research, purchase state-of-the-art equipment, and enhance patient facilities beyond NHS-funded services.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

  • Innovation and Improvement Grants: £3,000 - £100,000 (rolling applications via Flexigrant)
  • Conference Grants: Up to £200 (UK/Europe), £800 (international conferences)
  • Career Development Awards: Up to £150,000 (18-month maximum duration)
  • PhD Studentships: Support for early-stage researchers
  • Research Enhancement Awards: Maximizing impact of existing research
  • Equipment Grants: State-of-the-art research equipment funding
  • NIHR-MEC Fellowships: Advanced and doctoral fellowships

Priority Areas

  • Eye health and vision research
  • Ophthalmic service improvement
  • Clinical practice innovation
  • Education and training in ophthalmology
  • Patient care enhancement beyond NHS provision

What They Don't Fund

  • Projects outside eye health and ophthalmology
  • Applicants without contracts at Moorfields or UCL IoO
  • Multiple awards to same principal applicant per year (Innovation grants)

Governance and Leadership

Chair: Dr Louise Wood CBE - Former Director of Science at DHSC, current Chair of Association of Medical Research Charities

CEO: Robert Harland - 30+ years charity leadership experience, former Paul Hamlyn Foundation CEO

Grants Director: Ailish Maher - 10+ years grants management experience

Robert Harland states: "I'm delighted to be here helping Moorfields Eye Charity do even more to advance the future of eye health. On behalf of everyone our supporters have enabled us to help or give hope to - thank you."

Application Process & Timeline

How to Apply

Applications submitted via Flexigrant system (introduced October 2024). Most programmes require expressions of interest followed by full proposal invitation. Principal applicants must hold contracts with Moorfields or UCL IoO.

Decision Timeline

  • Innovation & Improvement: 3-5 months decision time
  • Conference Grants: Submit at least 3 months before conference
  • Other programmes: Varies by scheme, deadlines published on individual programme pages

Success Rates

Not publicly disclosed

Reapplication Policy

Re-submissions not permitted unless specially invited by Board of Trustees. Decision of trustees is final.

Application Success Factors

Key Requirements:

  • Strong connection to Moorfields Eye Hospital or UCL Institute of Ophthalmology
  • Clear alignment with eye health research and patient care priorities
  • Evidence of research excellence and innovation potential
  • Appropriate budget justification and timeline

Strategic Advice:

  • Review charity strategy and specific programme guidelines before applying
  • Contact grants team with project summary if unsure about eligibility
  • Ensure mandatory fields (*) are completed in Flexigrant
  • Allow sufficient time for internal approvals through Flexigrant system

Review Process: Applications assessed by Scientific Advisory Panel, with recommendations to Grants Committee (Board subcommittee). External peer review used as appropriate.

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Primary Focus: Exclusively funds eye health research and ophthalmology projects
  • Institutional Connection: Must have employment contract with Moorfields or UCL IoO
  • Rolling Opportunities: Many programmes accept applications year-round via Flexigrant
  • Decision Authority: Board of Trustees makes final funding decisions
  • One Chance Policy: Unsuccessful applications cannot be resubmitted unless specially invited
  • Strategic Alignment: Closely tied to NHS hospital priorities and patient care improvement
  • Research Excellence: Strong emphasis on world-class research and innovation

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References