Preface
In this funder perspective interview, we speak with Heart Research UK’s Research Team about the organization’s mission in the field of cardiology as well as about its primary funding opportunities.
If you are a researcher in the UK working on research that can improve outcomes for heart disease patients, these funding opportunities from Heart Research UK may be for you!
What is the history and origin of Heart Research UK?
Heart Research UK was founded in 1967 in Leeds, UK, by a cardiovascular surgeon determined to make heart surgery safer and more effective for patients. Previously known as the National Heart Research Fund, the organisation supported several landmark developments in British cardiovascular medicine, including six of the first seven successful heart transplants in the UK and the development of the artificial heart valve.
What is Heart Research UK’s mission and strategic focus in cardiovascular research funding?
Today, Heart Research UK remains committed to a future without heart disease through investment in pioneering cardiovascular research and community health initiatives. The charity funds over £1 million in heart disease research each year across multiple grant schemes.
Alongside research funding, Heart Research UK delivers community heart health checks and corporate heart health services aimed at preventing cardiovascular disease. It also runs a clinical education programme, continuing its surgical legacy through tailored cardiac surgery masterclasses for emerging clinicians.
What type of heart disease research does Heart Research UK fund?
Heart Research UK funds research focused solely on heart diseases. Proposals must clearly demonstrate potential benefits for patients with heart disease. Projects targeting stroke, diabetes or peripheral arterial disease fall outside the charity’s remit and are not considered.
The charity strongly encourages novel and innovative, hypothesis-led research with a clear translational pathway toward clinical application. Its grant portfolio aligns with different technology readiness levels along the translational research pathway, supporting the progression of discoveries from laboratory bench to hospital bedside and back again for further refinement and improvement.
What cardiovascular research funding schemes are available?
Heart Research UK currently offers four funding schemes designed to support research across the translational spectrum:
Novel and Emerging Technologies (NET) Grant – £300,000
Supports the development of novel technologies or new applications of existing technologies to diagnose, treat and prevent heart disease.
Translational Research Projects (TRP) – £250,000
Aims to bridge the gap between laboratory-based research and patient care. Projects may include preclinical studies applying laboratory discoveries to human research or human-focused studies.
PhD Studentships – £111,500 (Non-London) / £122,500 (London)
Provides funding for clinical and non-clinical PhD students to gain the knowledge and expertise required for a research career, typically aligned with the translational remit of TRP.
Spark Grants – £25,000
Designed to test innovative ideas or deliver proof-of-principle studies that de-risk larger future investments such as NET or TRP grants. Applications from early career researchers are actively encouraged.
How is the Research Team structured to support cardiovascular research funding?
The Research Team at Heart Research UK has evolved to meet growing demands within UK research infrastructure and covers three key areas.
- First, a Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) arm facilitates the integration of patient perspectives within research processes and community engagement activities.
- Second, grant administration and data roles oversee funding rounds and maintain research databases.
- Third, the impact and communications function manages internal evaluation of funded projects and external communications to the public.
The Director of Research oversees these functions to ensure alignment with the organisation’s strategic aims and research delivery objectives.
How are grant applications evaluated?
Evaluation methods vary slightly between schemes. For example, the NET grant includes an outline stage prior to invitation for full application, while other schemes do not. However, all evaluations adhere to the guidance of the Association of Medical Research Charities (AMRC).
Applications are assessed by external academic reviewers, internal academic review panels and the Research Advisory Group composed of individuals with lived experience of heart disease. Final funding decisions are made by academic review panels after considering all scores and comments.
What makes a strong heart research funding application stand out?
A successful application places patients at its core. As a patient-led charity, Heart Research UK prioritises proposals that demonstrate a clear and appropriate translational pathway toward patient benefit within a realistic timeframe.
Applicants are encouraged to engage patients and the public early in proposal development to ensure relevance, address barriers to participation and strengthen dissemination strategies. Scientifically excellent, innovative proposals that involve multidisciplinary collaboration and incorporate meaningful patient engagement tend to stand out.
How does Heart Research UK measure the impact of funded research?
The Research Team assesses impact using both quantitative and qualitative metrics. Traditional academic indicators such as publications and conference outputs are tracked alongside changes to clinical practice or policy, technology development, leveraged funding and direct patient impact.
Grant holders submit regular progress reports, enabling ongoing monitoring, evaluation and support throughout the project lifecycle.
What advice does the Research Team have for researchers applying for funding?
Researchers are encouraged to consult the Heart Research UK website for detailed guidance on scope and funding requirements. Direct queries can be sent to medicalgrants@heartresearch.org.uk, where they will be handled accordingly.
Early engagement with patients and the public is strongly recommended. The charity offers PPI surgeries for applicants to discuss proposals with patient groups and strengthen alignment with patient priorities
Are there any upcoming changes to Heart Research UK’s funding policies?
As part of a new research strategy, the organization is implementing changes to its funding policies. These include new application questions and reviewer guidance to encourage greater consideration of sex and gender within cardiovascular research proposals, aiming to improve representation, particularly of women, in heart disease research.
Additional policy updates include removal of tenure requirements for principal investigators, changes to CV formats, and encouragement of applications from early career researchers. These developments reflect a commitment to accessibility, diversity, and representation across the research funding process.
Acknowledgments
We would like to express our thanks to the Research Team for sharing their insights into Heart Research UK’s mission and available funding. We appreciate their commitment to supporting research that can deliver improvements for patients with heart diseases.