Career Development Awards 

You will normally have a PhD and have significant post-doctoral or equivalent research experience.

You should be able to demonstrate that you are already on an academic career track and are of the calibre to be a future leader of ophthalmic research / clinical practice.

Applicants must demonstrate which of the career progression stages they fall within as listed in our guidance notes. Given the remit of the scheme, it is expected that the applications will normally be from individuals who are, at a minimum, within the ​‘reaching independence’ stage. Given the calibre expected in this competitive scheme candidates who fall within the ​‘developing research’ stage will not normally be competitive for this scheme. Individuals who consider they are on the cusp of the ​‘reaching independence’ stage and have tangible demonstration of their future potential from their track record should contact the charity before considering an application.

Applicants must either be currently or soon to be employed by Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust or the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology on a non-tenured or equivalent contract of employment.

For details of eligibility criteria including career progression stages please read the application guidance notes.

Applications will include the salary for the candidate but can also include funding for direct research costs.

Applicant salary

• Salary commensurate with current salary
• Inclusion of up to two clinical sessions where that clinical work will be completed in Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust

Research activity funding

Funding can be requested for directly related research costs of up to a normal maximum of £150,000 (pro rata). Please note that the expectation is that only in exceptional circumstances and/​or laboratory based research will research costs be close to the maximum. 

Cost-challenging will be carried out.

For further details of allowed and disallowed costs please refer to the application guidance notes.

The Career Development Award can have a duration of up to 24 months, and start dates can be up to 24 months after the award date.

Please ensure that you have read our application guidance before you start your application

The expression of interest form allows us to discuss your proposal with you and ensure you are suitable for this grant scheme. The expression of interest does not require sign off by the research offices.

Applications should be submitted via our grant management system, Flexigrant.

Applicants who have previously held or applied for a Moorfields Eye Charity grant will already have an account set up on Flexigrant. Please follow the guidance on our Advice for Applicants webpage for details on activating your account.

For applicants who have not applied for a Moorfields Eye Charity grant, please visit Flexigrant and click register to create an account.

Please refer to our application guidance for further information on completing an application.

Applicants must comply with the instructions and eligibility criteria outlined in the grant guidance.