Translational Pump Priming Awards allow researchers to access smaller agile funding with quick turnaround funding decisions. These awards will enable researchers to answer a particular question, validate data and provide sufficient data to address an evidence gap in progressing an innovation further along the translational pathway.
Note, these awards will not support exploratory discovery research. The funding is intended to generate proof-of-concept data to make larger, competitive translational research funding applications more feasible, rather than funding completely new, exploratory research questions.
Please ensure you have read the information on this page before you start an application on BHF Grants Management System.
Use the links below to jump straight to the information you require.
- Who can apply?
- Grant duration and maximum award
- What we are looking for
- How to apply
- How we will assess your application
- Application submission
- Useful links
Who can apply
- The principal investigator will be a researcher working in an established research institution in the UK. This includes post-doctoral researchers, heads of groups and fellows.
- Individuals or teams from commercial organisations can apply as collaborators. Collaboration agreements will need to be provided.
Grant duration and maximum award
- Awards of up to £50,000 are available for a maximum of 9 months.
What we are looking for
The award will aim to answer a single question to address an evidence gap for developing an innovation.
The award will support the pre-clinical and clinical development of any type of the following technologies:
- Novel therapeutics (small molecules or biologics)
- Drug repurposing
- Devices
- Diagnostics
- Imaging technologies
- Digital solutions
- Cell therapy and regenerative medicine
- Surgical techniques
- Early-phase clinical studies evaluating efficacy and safety
It will be essential that the applicant(s) describe how the innovation works and include experimental data to illustrate technical feasibility, the patient population that will benefit and the pivotal single question being answered to take the innovation to the next level. For example, to progress research and development and/or to support the case for a funding application or future investment.
Examples of activities supported may include:
- Advancement of existing research outputs towards the next step of translational pathway
- Development of prototypes and prototype demonstration
- Validation studies
These are only examples of activities that form part of the translational pathway.
What we will fund
Permitted expenses include:
- Research consumables
- Outsourcing: We will consider providing funds to outsource project work to parties who undertake work on a contracted/out-sourced basis (e.g. contract research organisations (CROs), subject to appropriate justification. Such parties may carry out specifically defined piece(s) of work on behalf of the investigators on a fee-for-service basis, with no potential claim as an inventor over any arising intellectual property.
- Consultancy fees including those related to regulatory submission processes
What we will not fund
We will not fund:
- Equipment costs
- Staff costs including salaries
- Professional training, including PhD fees and stipends
- The simple extension or continuity of on-going work between research grants
- Minor or incremental changes to technologies in current clinical use
- The management of intellectual property (e.g. patent filing, etc.)
- Travel expenses e.g. conferences
- Public engagement activities
Please find here more information on costing a grant. Note that Translational Pump Priming Awards will only cover what is listed above.
Are you unsure whether your research is at the appropriate stage of development or is eligible for funding? Please contact a member of the Research Translation Team who will be able to give specific advice regarding the project.
How to apply
Translational Pump Priming awards operate a one-stage application process.
Submit your application via BHF Grants Management System.
Applicants will be required submit a final report and a follow-on report one year after completing the award.
How we will assess your application
Applications are internally triaged and reviewed by members of the Translational Awards Committee, who possess clinical, academic, or commercial expertise.
Please allow approximately six weeks from submission to decision. Due to the agile nature of the award, no written feedback will be provided to applicants.
Assessment criteria:
- Potential to address an unmet clinical need
- Evidence to support the proposed question and project activities
- Strength and feasibility of the project
- Potential impact of outputs and the likelihood of future success and/or investment
Application submission
Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis from Monday 8th September 2025. Over the holiday season, application outcome decisions may take longer than six weeks.
Receipt will be acknowledged within 24 hours and we will advise you when you can expect the result.
BHF reserves the right to change the deadline dates and close the scheme early. We recommend that you check this page on a regular basis to take note of any changes.
Useful links
Find out how to apply for a research grant from the British Heart Foundation. Check our grant types and read through the relevant grant guidelines.
Translational Awards aim to progress the development of novel, innovative technologies towards benefits to human cardiovascular health.
BHF have partnered with Panacea Innovation to launch CardioStars, a unique programme that equips researchers with the entrepreneurial and business skills to become the science innovators of tomorrow.
Clinical Trials Units (CTUs) are specialist units that help clinical researchers design, conduct, analyse and publish clinical trials.