Special Project Grants

For basic science research projects costing more than £500,000 or lasting longer than 4 years. This grant type also supports funding for studies using datasets only, population and patient based cohort studies (epidemiology) or experimental medicine studies that cost more than £500,000 or that will last longer than 4 years.

Research supported by a Special Project Grant should not be part of a renewable programme of work (apply for a Programme Grant), and should not fit the criteria for a Clinical Study Grant, which supports funding for clinical trials or for hypothesis based observational studies recruiting a specific patient population and costing more than £500,000. For research costing up to £500,000 and lasting up to 4 years apply for a Project Grant.

Key requirements

• The principal investigator will be a senior researcher working in an established research institution in the UK. He/she must have a strong track record of   project grant support, usually from us and an internationally recognised research profile.
• The proposed research plan must be extensive and imaginative, but remain focused.

Grant duration

• Up to five years, with an interim review at the half way point.

Award may include

• Staff salaries, for example: technician, research assistant, postdoctoral salaries. This excludes PhD studentships.
• Research consumables directly attributable to the project.
• Research equipment essential for the project.
• Travel funding of up to £2,000 per year to present research at or attend scientific meetings relevant to the grant.

How to apply

Preliminary applications

Prospective applicants must have submitted a preliminary outline at least 18 months before the expected start date and received our approval to submit a full application. 

In addition to completing the online form, you will be asked upload a PDF preliminary Case for Support containing the following information: 

1. Title of proposed research
2. Abstract of the proposed investigation in 200 words or less
3. Background to the project and pilot data
4. Original hypothesis
5. Experimental details and design of proposed investigation
6. Your objectives in the longer term
7. Expected value of results
8. An explanation of why the research requires Special Project rather than Project Grant or Programme Grant support.
9. Summary of expected costs.
10. Name and type of contribution from any commercial collaborator (e.g. drug company) if relevant. See BHF Commercial Company Guidelines for further information.
11. List up to six relevant research outputs and up to six grants from the primary applicant and from each co-applicant (research outputs can include - but not limited to - datasets, inventions, preprints, software, protected IP and citations in policy documents, in addition to journal articles. Where possible, please provide a DOI or other unique identifier such as PMID). For research outputs, please also articulate in a single sentence the supervisors’ contribution to the work. CRediT – Contributor Roles Taxonomy terminology may be useful in describing the applicants' contribution to the output.

Sections 1-10 must not exceed three A4 sides.

Please ensure Arial font size 12 is used. If this font size is not used, the application will be rejected prior to formal consideration.

Outline proposals should be submitted at least 18 months before the expected start date of any award. Allow one month for outline to be considered.

Full applications

Once a preliminary application has been approved, the applicant will be able to complete a full online application form.

This should include a full Case for Support which should be uploaded as a PDF document containing the following information: 

1. For resubmissions, the Case for Support should be prefaced by a section containing an unedited copy of the original Committee feedback and peer reviews, followed by a detailed response (maximum 3 A4 sides) explaining how you have addressed any concerns and how the revised application has changed from the original submission. It is not necessary to include your original rebuttal
2. Title of proposed research
3. Abstract of the proposed investigation in 200 words or less
4. Background to the project and pilot data
5. Original hypothesis
6. Experimental details and design of proposed investigation
7. Power calculations
8. Expected value of results
9. List of references relevant to the proposed project
10. List up to six relevant research outputs and up to six grants from the primary applicant and from each co-applicant (research outputs can include - but not limited to - datasets, inventions, preprints, software, protected IP and citations in policy documents, in addition to journal articles. Where possible, please provide a DOI or other unique identifier such as PMID). For research outputs, please also articulate in a single sentence the supervisors’ contribution to the work. CRediT – Contributor Roles Taxonomy terminology may be useful in describing the applicants' contribution to the output.
11. Appendices (maximum of 3 sides A4) containing only tables or figures essential to the understanding of the application. Research papers whether published, in press or in preparation may not be attached (although hyperlinks can be provided). 

Sections 2-8 must not exceed 10 A4 sides.

Please ensure Arial font size 12 is used. If this font size is not used the application will be rejected prior to formal consideration.

Additional document upload checklist:

• Supporting letters from collaborators
• Intellectual property agreements where relevant
• Valid copy of ethical approval if relevant
• CV for lead applicant
• Letters of support from Head of School/Faculty and any other relevant letters of support
• Brief CV (two A4 sides) of named staff for whom salary is requested
• Quotes obtained for any requested equipment with a value of £5,000 or more.

Decision Process

There are no closing dates. Please submit the application when it is ready and allow up to 9 months from submission to decision.

We will acknowledge receipt of your application within 24 hours and we will advise when you can expect the result. A decision will be reached by the Chairs and Programme Grants Committee (four meetings a year) after it has considered external peer review reports.

As Special Project Grants are rarely awarded without revision, the application should be submitted 12 months before the expected start date.

The flowchart below shows the application journey

Independent expert review

To help applicants better understand how their proposals are assessed, please see BHF independent review guidelines and blank review form.

Apply online