2025 Chandra Award
The Royal College of Ophthalmologists is delighted to announce that applications are now invited for the Chandra Award 2025.
PURPOSE
Girish Chandra came from modest beginnings in India to further his ophthalmic career in the UK in the 1960’s. He subsequently worked in numerous countries in North America and Asia. He recognised that the chance to train in the UK is a valuable and cherished opportunity, and he hoped that this award will facilitate this for future ophthalmologists.
The Royal College of Ophthalmologists has been asked to undertake the administration for this new award. This has been generously donated by Mr Girish Chandra who has offered the sum of up to £1,000 annually for this award.
The aim of the award is to allow doctors from outside the U.K. to come to the U.K. for training or a period of clinical observation.
As a condition of the award, successful candidates will be required to submit a report within three months of their return from their visit. Reports may be published on the College website.
VALUE
Up t0 £1,000.
ELIGIBILITY
Applicants must have already secured a training or observer post to be able to apply for this award. The College cannot assist with this.
The closing date for applications is Friday 19 December 2025.
The application form can be found here.
The following awards are offered to examination candidates on an annual basis. Please direct any queries regarding these awards to [email protected]
Crombie Medal = Awarded for the highest mark in Part 1 FRCOphth on first attempt (October-April/May).
Elizabeth Hunt Medal = Awarded for the highest mark in Refraction Certificate on first attempt (for the previous year December/January to July).
Harcourt Medal = Awarded for the highest mark in Part 2 Oral on first attempt (November to April).
Dr Sadhu Ram Gupta Award = Highest mark in Part 2 Oral for overseas candidates only.
Sight Research UK’s Translational Research Award, is now open to Stage 1 applications.
The goal of the Translational Research Award is to accelerate the translation of scientific findings to the early stages of development of new therapies, devices, and diagnostics for sight-threatening conditions.
The standard maximum value of the Translational Research Awards are £250,000 each. If an applicant is looking to apply for more than £250,000, they are asked to contact [email protected] before applying. They can then advise them as to whether they would be eligible for the amount being requested.
Sight Research UK are looking to make a number of awards in this grant round.
Application forms and more detailed guidance are available on their website and applications can be made following this link https://formapply.formstack.com/forms/sight_research_uk_translational_application
It is a two stage application process with Stage 1 submission window closes on 30th October 2025. Grants are awarded in May 2026 for projects commencing after that date.
If you have any questions regarding this funding scheme, please do not hesitate to get in touch with the Grants Team at [email protected]
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T. F. C. Frost Charitable Trust – Advertisement for Clinical Fellowship Funding for UK Ophthalmology Residents
The T. F. C. Frost Charitable Trust is pleased to welcome applications for clinical fellowships from ophthalmologists currently training in the UK. Applicants should demonstrate that the fellowship period is at a centre of excellence, usually abroad, and that the training will impact the career of the applicant as well as UK ophthalmology more broadly. Awards will be made strictly on merit and will generally be up to a maximum of £50,000 depending on the circumstances in each case
The following information should be included in the application:
- Summary of the proposed clinical and research fellowship
- Start date and period of funding
- Funding required, including details of consumables and expenses
- Place of research e.g. name of hospital or university
- Applicant’s curriculum vitae
- Letter of support from the host institution
Completed applications should be submitted by email to the Trustees’ secretary, Mr John Holmes F.C.A. at [email protected] no later than 30th October 2025. The applications will be reviewed at the next Trustees’ meeting at the beginning of December 2025.
Dates of upcoming application calls and deadlines:
Trustee meetings are held twice in the calendar year and applications are due no later than 30th October.
Brief History of the T. F. C. Frost Charitable Trust
The Trust was established in 1966 and has made impactful contribution to ophthalmology, including:
- Funded in excess of 150 Fellowships (including 46 overseas)
- Donated in excess of £5.1m for research and training
- Established the first Glaucoma Unit at Moorfields Hospital in 1980 for £200,000
- Established the School of Nursing in 1989 at the St John of Jerusalem Ophthalmic Hospital and the Endowment of the Frost Bed in perpetuity in 1981
- Established the Frost Chair in Ophthalmology at the University of Aberdeen in 1989
- Established the Frost Chair at St Thomas’ Hospital in 1990
