New: the Future of Eyecare Essay Competition
29th May, 2026
Are you a student considering a future in eye care, clinical research, or ophthalmology? The Friends of Moorfields Eye Hospital and the NIHR Moorfields Biomedical Research Centre invite you to take part in our very first essay competition.
The theme is personal reflection. We want to hear what inspires your ambitions for a career in eye health. Whether it is a personal experience, an interesting medical topic, or an inspiring individual, we want to read your story.
Categories
Category 1: Post-graduate students at the Institute of Ophthalmology and early career medics
Category 2: Undergraduate students at the Institute of Ophthalmology and Moorfields Education medical students
Category 3: Student volunteers at Friends of Moorfields considering a future in eye health
The prize
The prize winners will receive a £100 cash prize and the opportunity to attend and present an extract of their essay at the Future of Eye Conference on 17 October 2026.
The requirements
Our expert judging panel is looking for a well-structured, clearly articulated essay of >1,500 words, showcasing your unique point of view, good grammar, and topic understanding. If you use secondary sources, please reference them in APA style. We want your authentic voice, so AI-written essays will not be accepted. Because these are personal reflections, entries will not be published, and it is not compulsory to do a reading at the prize giving.
Key dates and information
Entries open in June and close on Friday 4 September 2026.Email your entry to moorfields.friends@nhs.net. Please use the exact subject line format [Category] [Your name] Essay Submission.
We look forward to reading your unique stories!