[British Heart Foundation](https://www.bhf.org.uk)

Rolling (no fixed deadlines; submit when ready)

No formal cap; typically supports large-scale, 5-year projects with substantial budgets based on scale, scope, and ambition.

Supports ambitious, long-term cardiovascular research by leading UK-based groups focused on a single strategic theme.

Preliminary outline required 18+ months before intended start; full application by invitation only.

--- ## Description The British Heart Foundation (BHF) Programme Grants scheme provides substantial, long-term funding (up to 5 years, renewable) for leading research groups to address significant challenges in cardiovascular science. The scheme is designed to enable ambitious, innovative, and collaborative research focused on a single strategic theme. Proposals that incorporate interdisciplinary approaches, including expertise from outside traditional biomedical fields, are encouraged. There is no formal upper limit on funding; proposals are assessed on scientific excellence, potential impact, value for money, and the scale and ambition of the project. --- ## Due Dates - Applications are accepted on a rolling basis; there are no fixed deadlines. - Prospective applicants must submit a preliminary outline at least 18 months before the expected project start date and receive approval to submit a full application. - Allow up to 9 months from full application submission to decision. - As Programme Grants are rarely awarded without revision, applicants should plan to submit at least 12 months before their intended start date. --- ## Funding Amount - No formal cap on funding; budgets are considered in relation to the project's scale, ambition, and potential impact. - Grants provide support for up to 5 years initially, with the possibility of renewal upon successful review. - Funding may cover: - Staff salaries (excluding PhD studentships) - Research consumables directly attributable to the project - Essential research equipment - Travel funding (up to £2,000/year for scientific meetings) --- ## Eligibility - Principal Investigator (PI) must be a senior or talented mid-career researcher with a strong track record, usually with prior BHF project grant support and an internationally recognised research profile. - PI must be employed at, or affiliated with, a UK academic research institution (the host institution). - The host institution must be a UK academic research institution (not an NHS Trust). - Projects must focus on basic or applied clinical research relevant to the cardiovascular system. - Collaborative, interdisciplinary research is strongly encouraged. - PhD studentships cannot be funded through this grant. - Ethical approval is required for research involving human participants, samples, or animals. --- ## Application Process 1. **Preliminary Application**: Submit a detailed outline (max 3 A4 pages, Arial 12pt) at least 18 months before the expected start date. Approval is required before a full application can be submitted. 2. **Full Application**: By invitation only, after preliminary approval. Requires a comprehensive case for support (max 10 A4 pages for main sections, Arial 12pt), supporting documents, and detailed budget justification. 3. **Review Process**: Applications are peer-reviewed for originality, impact, feasibility, value for money, and appropriateness of design and methods. External expert review and committee assessment are integral. 4. **Renewals**: Existing Programme Grants may be renewed for further periods; renewal applications must include a progress/final report and be discussed with BHF 18 months before the current grant’s end date. 5. **Submission**: All applications are made online via the [BHF Grants Management System](https://researchgrants.bhf.org.uk/). 6. **Decision Timeline**: Allow up to 9 months for a decision. Submission at least 12 months before the intended start date is recommended. --- ## Additional Information - There are no closing dates for Programme Grant applications. - The scheme does not support PhD studentships, university overheads, or infrastructure costs. - Applications must demonstrate consideration of diversity and inclusion in research design. - Commercial collaborations are permitted, with the academic PI having overall responsibility and appropriate agreements in place. - For detailed costing guidance, refer to the [Grant Costing Guide](https://www.bhf.org.uk/for-professionals/information-for-researchers/how-to-apply/grant-costing-guide) and essential information for applicants. --- ## External Links - [Programme Grant Details & Guidelines](https://www.bhf.org.uk/for-professionals/information-for-researchers/what-we-fund/programme-grant) - [How to Apply](https://www.bhf.org.uk/for-professionals/information-for-researchers/how-to-apply) - [Essential Information for Applicants](https://www.bhf.org.uk/for-professionals/information-for-researchers/how-to-apply/essential-information) - [BHF Grants Management System](https://researchgrants.bhf.org.uk/) - [BHF Programme Grant Review Form (PDF)](https://www.bhf.org.uk/-/media/files/for-professionals/dora/bhf-programme-grant-review-form.pdf?rev=a41874d40ab0468ab7a7da9fbe8007eb&hash=B4ED0527EF59946E39F86C7B394C8EA9) - [BHF Independent Expert Review Guidelines (PDF)](https://www.bhf.org.uk/-/media/files/for-professionals/dora/bhf-independent-expert-review-guidelines_april2023.pdf?rev=24a57e50efd24d35bc9eccfd2a80968b&hash=B28F02D09A6A3492C1A4CDA983D82B9A) --- ## Contact Information | Purpose | Contact Details | |--------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | General Enquiries | [heretohelp@bhf.org.uk](mailto:heretohelp@bhf.org.uk) · 0300 330 3322 | | Grants Management System | [gmsqueries@bhf.org.uk](mailto:gmsqueries@bhf.org.uk) | | Research Queries | [research@bhf.org.uk](mailto:research@bhf.org.uk) | | Postal Address | Greater London House, 180 Hampstead Road, London, NW1 7AW, United Kingdom | | Online Contact Form | [BHF Contact Page](https://www.bhf.org.uk/contact) |

Programme Grants

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