What we fund

Strategic Initiatives

We are prepared to look at two different types of strategic award: a strategic capital award and a strategic appointment. 

Our Medical Director is happy to discuss proposals informally.

Strategic capital (Strategic Initiative Grant)

We are prepared to enter into a discussion with major research institutions to identify potential large capital needs for their cardiovascular research strategy. By so doing, we hope that we will be able to indicate at an early stage to what extent we may be able to contribute to the overall costs of the strategy, thereby allowing the institution to lever additional funds from other sources.

We will also explore opportunities for coordinated fundraising with institutions. We are unlikely to make more than one such award to any institution in a five year period.

Preliminary outline proposal:

Full applications will not be considered without our prior approval to submit. In order to decide whether it is appropriate to apply, the following information is required in brief:

  • Completed form SI. The form can be requested by emailing research@bhf.org.uk. Complete questions 1-6.  A detailed breakdown of costs under question 5 is not required at this stage.
  • A letter from the Dean explaining how the proposal fits with the organisation's cardiovascular research strategy.

Strategic appointment (Personal Chair)

To help universities recruit the very best research leaders, we are prepared to offer awards of up to £3m to institutions that have identified a high calibre overseas scientist whom they wish to recruit for a BHF chair.

The award is intended to cover the professor’s salary and that of his or her immediate support staff as well as a programme of research for 5 years. 

Our commitment will be made expeditiously and the final award will be made once the individual has signed an appropriate contract with the host institution. Funding thereafter will be according to our usual conditions for BHF professorships. Such awards will only be available to help recruitment of exceptional individuals with a global profile in their field of research and will require evidence of a substantial commitment from the host institution. 

Preliminary outline proposal

Full applications will not be considered without our prior approval to submit. In order to decide whether it is appropriate to apply, the following information is required in brief from the Dean:

  • Why the appointment is so important to the institution
  • What the institution is prepared to commit to support the recruitment (provide outline costs)
  • How our money would be used in terms of salaries, infrastructure and scientific running costs
  • A brief outline of the proposed science
  • How the appointment fits with the organisation’s cardiovascular strategy
  • CV of the proposed candidate including list of publications
  • List of grants (include title, award amount, start and end date) that will transfer with the proposed candidate).