British Heart Foundation

Charity Number: 225971

Annual Expenditure: £116.7M
Geographic Focus: Isle Of Man, Northern Ireland, Scotland, Throughout England And Wales

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Quick Stats

  • Annual Giving: £116.7 million in new research grants (2023-24)
  • Success Rate: Not publicly disclosed
  • Decision Time: 3-6 months depending on grant type
  • Grant Range: Up to £500,000 (Project Grants) - Uncapped (Programme Grants)
  • Geographic Focus: UK national with some international partnerships

Contact Details

Website: www.bhf.org.uk

Email: heretohelp@bhf.org.uk

Phone: 0300 330 3322

Research Enquiries: Via BHF Grants Management System (grants.bhf.org.uk)

Pre-application Support: Available through research team for Programme Grants

Overview

Founded in 1961, the British Heart Foundation is the UK's largest independent funder of cardiovascular research and a registered charity (No. 225971). With over 60 years of pioneering research, the BHF has helped halve the number of deaths from heart and circulatory disease in the UK. The organization raised £181 million in 2024-25 and currently funds over 1,000 research projects with more than £430 million of BHF-funded research in progress. Under CEO Dr Charmaine Griffiths' leadership since 2020, the BHF has maintained its strategic focus on funding groundbreaking cardiovascular research while expanding support services. In 2024, the organization won awards at the Charity Times Awards, recognizing its excellence in charitable impact and innovation.

Funding Priorities

Grant Programs

  • Project Grants: Up to £500,000 (up to 4 years) - rolling applications via online portal
  • Programme Grants: Uncapped amounts (up to 5 years, renewable) - preliminary outline required 18 months before start date
  • Clinical Study Grants: Varies - committee meets twice yearly (April/May and October/November)
  • Special Project Grants: For innovative approaches requiring unique funding
  • Research Excellence Awards: £5 million over 5 years to establish Centres of Research Excellence
  • Fellowship Programs: Various levels available (decision timeline up to 6 months)

Priority Areas

  • Basic cardiovascular research and disease mechanisms
  • Clinical studies and translational research
  • Development of innovative technologies for heart, stroke, and circulatory diseases including vascular dementia
  • Pre-clinical and early phase clinical development of new cardiovascular medicines and technologies
  • AI and genomics applications in cardiovascular health
  • Regenerative medicine approaches
  • Prevention research and public health interventions

What They Don't Fund

  • PhD student salaries on Project Grants (specific PhD studentships available separately)
  • Publication costs (only open access costs refunded)
  • Computer equipment unless integral to scientific equipment
  • Top-up funding for inadequately funded grants from other organizations
  • Salary increases beyond annual increments and nationally agreed pay awards
  • Interim funding due to delays
  • Non-cardiovascular research
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Governance and Leadership

Chief Executive: Dr Charmaine Griffiths (since February 2020)

Chair of Trustees: Karen A. Frank

Chief Scientific and Medical Officer: Professor Bryan Williams OBE (since December 2023)

Dr Griffiths emphasizes the urgency of their mission, stating: "Cardiovascular disease remains the world's biggest killer. In the UK alone, someone dies from it every three minutes and that's a stark reality we will never accept. But there is hope. This year, we invested over £100 million in pioneering science that will save lives."

The BHF is governed by up to 14 trustees responsible for governance and strategy, with three research grants committees meeting four times annually to assess applications.

Application Process and Timeline

How to Apply

  • Online Portal: BHF Grants Management System (researchgrants.bhf.org.uk)
  • Rolling Basis: Most grants accept continuous submissions (no fixed deadlines unless specified)
  • Programme Grants: Require preliminary outline 18 months before intended start date
  • Peer Review: All applications undergo independent external peer review before committee assessment

Decision Timeline

  • Project Grants: 3-4 months (committee meets 4 times yearly)
  • Clinical Study Grants: ~5 weeks for preliminary applications, full decisions at biannual meetings
  • Programme Grants: 12+ months (rarely awarded without revision)
  • Fellowships: Up to 6 months
  • Award Notification: Electronic notification with one month to accept

Success Rates

Success rates are not publicly disclosed, though the BHF notes that Programme Grants and Clinical Study Grants are “rarely awarded without revision.”

Reapplication Policy

Unsuccessful applications may be revised and resubmitted once only, unless explicitly ruled out by the funding committee.

Application Success Factors

Direct Advice from BHF: Applications are assessed on “relevance to cardiovascular disease, scientific merit, timeliness, relationship to other work in the field, adherence to NC3Rs guidance, and value for money.”

Recent Funded Projects Include:

  • AI development to identify heart attack risk years in advance (Oxford)
  • AI to reduce underdiagnosis of heart failure in Black patients
  • Remote monitoring to prevent hospital re-admissions
  • Vascular dementia treatment approaches
  • CPR training technology (RevivR platform)

Key Success Language: Use terms like “pioneering science,” “life-saving research,” “groundbreaking advances,” and “translational impact.” Emphasize cardiovascular relevance, innovation, and potential for improving patient outcomes.

Standing Out Factors:

  • Clear cardiovascular focus with translational potential
  • Strong preliminary data and methodology
  • Collaboration with clinical partners
  • Alignment with BHF's strategic themes (AI, genomics, regenerative medicine)
  • Demonstrated understanding of NC3Rs principles
  • Realistic timelines and budgets

Key Takeaways for Grant Writers

  • Cardiovascular Focus Essential: All research must directly relate to heart and circulatory diseases, including stroke and vascular dementia
  • Plan Well in Advance: Programme Grants require 18-month lead time; most grants benefit from 12+ months preparation
  • Strong Methodology Required: Applications undergo rigorous peer review focusing on scientific merit and methodology
  • Value for Money Matters: Budget justification is critical, with specific restrictions on equipment and salary costs
  • Revision is Normal: Most major grants require revision, so build flexibility into timelines
  • One Resubmission Only: Make the most of feedback from initial submission
  • Strategic Alignment: Emphasize how research aligns with BHF's focus on AI, genomics, and regenerative medicine approaches
  • Impact Focus: Clearly articulate potential for improving patient outcomes and reducing cardiovascular disease burden

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