Heart Research UK

Heart Research UK, founded in 1967 in Leeds by cardiovascular surgeon David Watson as the National Heart Research Fund (renamed in 2005), is a national charity dedicated to preventing, treating, and curing heart disease, with a vision of a world free from heart disease deaths. As a patient-focused, translational funder, it prioritizes scientific excellence, innovation, and rapidly bridging research breakthroughs to real-world healthcare benefits, having awarded over £30 million across 340+ grants, including UK firsts like the first hospital-based cardiac research unit, early heart transplants, and the world's first permanent artificial heart implant.

It funds cardiovascular research and prevention initiatives UK-wide, emphasizing congenital heart disease, sudden cardiac death prevention, novel diagnostics/treatments, and translational projects that deliver patient impact. Key programmes include Translational Research Project Grants, PhD Studentships, Novel and Emerging Technologies Grants for high-risk/early-stage ideas, and community Healthy Heart Grants targeting risk factor reduction and public health education for all ages, especially underserved groups. Supported activities span lab-to-bedside research in hospitals/universities, community interventions, salaries, equipment, and professional masterclasses.

Eligible applicants are UK-registered charities, CICs (under £1M income for community grants), academic institutions, NHS Trusts, or researchers based in the UK; unsolicited applications welcome via online forms. Typical grants: £15,000 (Healthy Heart), up to £200,000 (Translational), £112,500 (PhD), £300,000 (Technologies). Regional Healthy Heart deadlines start 26 March 2025 (Wales); research rounds: 3 June, 2 Sept-3 Oct 2025 outlines. Distinctive for funding innovative, high-risk projects overlooked elsewhere, blending cutting-edge research with grassroots prevention via partnerships like Subway, ensuring swift, measurable patient outcomes without religious restrictions.