Innovation and Improvement grants
Now open to expressions of interest
The aim of this grant programme is to enable staff to develop and test new ideas to bring about impactful positive change, to improve clinical practice, service, staff or patient experience, or participation.
Our Innovation and Improvement grants programme is now open. We are accepting expressions of interest on a rolling basis throughout the year via Flexigrant.
We invite Moorfields Eye Hospital and UCL Institute of Ophthalmology staff to propose new ideas to test and develop which will positively impact patient and/or staff experience, optimise service provision, improve clinical practice, or encourage more patient participation.
The Innovation and Improvement grant programme is designed to support defined projects where the applicants have clearly described how they will test their idea, who it will benefit, and the positive impacts that they expect to see.
Is this grant suitable for your idea?
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This programme has a wide remit and we will consider applications which are looking at service innovation, improving administrative process, research and improvements to patient experience.
Your proposal needs to demonstrate:
- how the outcomes will have a direct benefit and/or impact to patients within a relatively short timescale (within months of project completion, up to approximately 2 years);
- a clear and convincing problem you want to address;
- how your project will lead to positive impact.
Application deadline and decision timelines
Our Innovation and Improvement grant programme is now open. Expressions of interest are accepted on a rolling basis, meaning there is no set deadline so can be submitted throughout the year. Expressions of interest which meet eligibility and remit requirements will be invited to submit a full proposal.
We will normally aim to provide a funding decision as quickly as possible, this will typically be between 3 - 5 months.
Processing times and announcement of decisions will be dependent on the availability of scientific advisory panel members and Trustees.
Applicants who require a funding decision before the end of 2025 must submit their expression of interest before the end of June and full application before the end of July.
Applicants for a funding decision Spring 2026 should submit their expression of interest before the end of August and full application before the end of September.
Should external peer review be required, additional processing time will be necessary.
Further information
Eligibility
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The principal applicant must hold an academic or clinical post with Moorfields Eye Hospital (MEH) or the UCL Institute of Ophthalmology (IoO) and will normally be in receipt of salary funding for the duration of the grant. For details of all other eligibility criteria please read the programme guidelines via the link below.
How much can I apply for?
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Applicants can request between £3,000 - £100,000 per application. Supplements will not normally be considered within this scheme.
We usually expect to make a maximum of one award per principal applicant per year.
Grant duration
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We usually expect grants to run for a maximum duration of 18 months.
Before you begin
See guidance
Please ensure that you have read the following:
Please see our Advice for Applicants page for guidance on submitting your application via Flexigrant.
Please get in touch with the grants and research team if you have any questions moorfields.eyecharity.researchgrants@nhs.net
Before you apply, please ensure you have referred to the grant guidelines and have secured all the necessary approvals from your department/division leads and finance office.
Current funding opportunities
