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AI Grand Challenge

BHF’s first Grand Challenge will focus on artificial intelligence, providing up to £10m to unlock new opportunities to harness its power. This emerging technology could accelerate the advances urgently needed by the 8 million people with cardiovascular disease in the UK.

Graphic of human body with a heart

Why AI, why now?

The UK has access to a large and rapidly growing collection of health data, from GP records and hospital scans to heart rhythm data captured by wearable devices. There is also an ever-growing bank of biological data generated in laboratories across the country, and indeed the globe. Advances in artificial intelligence make it possible to uncover patterns in this data that were previously invisible.

Combined with world‑leading research capability, this creates a timely opportunity to change how cardiovascular disease is predicted, prevented, diagnosed and treated.

BHF is calling on the UK’s best research teams to bring forward their most ambitious ideas for how AI could deliver this transformation.

The benefits of AI-powered research

By bringing together the best minds across disciplines and sectors, the AI Cardiovascular Grand Challenge will accelerate progress from insight to impact, bench to bedside, for patients and families across the UK and the globe.

  • Heart

    Smarter diagnostics

    to stop heart disease before it takes hold.

  • Head

    Clearer diagnoses, sooner

    giving patients peace of mind.

  • ID

    More personalised treatments

    tailored to the individual.

  • Hands

    Support that keeps people well

    and out of hospital longer.

Key milestones

BHF will work closely with the research community to attract and assess the strongest proposals.

  • 2026 Engagement and idea-shaping activity
  • 2026-27 Multi-stage scientific evaluation
  • Summer 2027 Selection and funding of the winning project(s)

Are you a researcher interested in applying?

We're calling on the research community to submit an outline application followed by a full application from shortlisted teams.

Apply to the AI Grand Challenge

Learn more about Grand Challenges

Why Grand Challenges?

BHF is launching a bold new way of tackling heart disease. Find out more about why the time is right for Cardiovascular Grand Challenges.

Discover our vision

Donors and partners

We need the support of visionary leaders and partners to make Grand Challenges a reality. Join our growing community of donors and partners.

Partner with us

Application information for researchers

Find all our detailed information to apply to the AI Grand Challenge, including eligibility, application guidelines, timelines, and FAQs.

How to apply
To find out more, or to support British Heart Foundation’s work, please visit www.bhf.org.uk. You can speak to one of our cardiac nurses by calling our helpline on 0808 802 1234 (freephone), Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. For general customer service enquiries, please call 0300 330 3322, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm.

British Heart Foundation is a registered Charity No. 225971. Registered as a Company limited by guarantee in England & Wales No. 699547. Registered office at Greater London House, 180 Hampstead Road, London NW1 7AW. Registered as a Charity in Scotland No. SC039426