Grants of up to £25,000 are available for projects with a maximum duration of one year, at a UK institution.

We will consider applications for clinical or laboratory-based research projects which can positively impact people with macular disease. This may include research into causes and prevention, early detection, treatments or improving quality of life. Researchers are welcome to submit grant applications to carry out research on any type of macular disease.

We strongly advise researchers to read the Macular Society's Research Strategy 2020-2030 (see below) and the guidance provided in Information about our grants when preparing their grant applications. We also recommend looking at the Research Impact Report (see below) produced in 2019.

Seedcorn programme grants are not intended to be used as ‘top-up’ funds to meet a shortfall in funding from another body.

Grants may be used for salaries, consumables, equipment, travel, computing costs and open access publication. As a charity we only support the directly incurred costs of research. You can read more about projects we are currently funding here.

The Macular Society’s usual terms and conditions will apply.

Application process

The deadline for returning grant applications is 1 September 2023.

Applications will be reviewed by the Research Committee and there will be no external peer reviews.

Funding decisions will be made in November 2023, allowing projects to begin in early 2024.

Any queries should be sent to research@macularsociety.org