Royal Papworth Hospital Charity

Royal Papworth Hospital Charity supports the renowned Royal Papworth Hospital NHS Foundation Trust in Cambridge—originally founded in 1918 as a tuberculosis specialist centre and now a global leader in cardiothoracic care—by funding enhancements to patient outcomes for heart and lung diseases. Its mission is to advance clinical innovation, pioneering research, and state-of-the-art healthcare in cardiology, respiratory medicine, and transplantation, guided by values of compassion, excellence, and collaboration. The charity's £20 million strategy (2022-2027) targets five priorities: pump-priming research via the Heart and Lung Research Institute and Innovation Fund, immediate patient/staff support (e.g., specialist roles like Cystic Fibrosis Dietitian Assistants), workforce education and training, and transformative equipment/facility upgrades. It backs clinical/non-clinical innovations, capital equipment, pilot studies, service models, and staff welfare, primarily benefiting adults with advanced cardiovascular/respiratory conditions, their families, and hospital professionals.

Eligibility is highly restrictive: it does not accept unsolicited applications from external charities or organisations. Funding is reserved for projects initiated by Royal Papworth Hospital staff, departments, or honorary contract holders, with a geographic focus on Cambridgeshire-based activities that align with hospital priorities and deliver national impact as a key UK referral centre. Partnership projects may be invited, but external applicants require prior hospital collaboration.

Grants typically range from £5,000 to £50,000, with applications submitted via online form at www.rpcgrants.com, reviewed in 8-16 weeks through multi-stage approvals (directorate, Charitable Funds Committee, Trustees). Quarterly meetings govern decisions; next Innovation Fund deadline is 20 July 2025. Distinctively, it avoids unrestricted/core costs, emergency grants for externals, or community/grassroots initiatives without hospital ties, emphasising rigorous impact evidence and strategic alignment to drive cardiothoracic breakthroughs.