Heart Research UK
About This Funder
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.
Eligibility Checklist
Funding Details
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Frequently Asked Questions
How much funding does Heart Research UK provide?
Grant amounts vary. Contact Heart Research UK directly for current funding levels.
Where does Heart Research UK fund charities?
Heart Research UK funds charities operating in UK.
How do I apply for funding from Heart Research UK?
With Fundermatcher, you describe your charity once and see your compatibility score with Heart Research UK. If you're a good fit, you can start drafting your application immediately using our AI co-pilot — paste each question and word limit, and the co-pilot writes a tailored first draft using your charity's real data and Heart Research UK's priorities. You review and edit every answer before submitting.
Will funders know my application was drafted with AI?
No. The co-pilot uses your charity's real name, numbers, and impact data — not generic filler or templates. Every draft reads like it was written by someone who knows your charity inside-out, because it's built on your actual profile. You edit and refine every word before it goes anywhere, so the final application sounds like you — because it is.
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