We will consider applications of up to £1 million towards the cost of providing essential infrastructure to support cardiovascular science in any UK academic institution.
About Infrastructure Grants
These awards are accessible to senior cardiovascular scientists and are intended to support the work of multiple groups and research activities at institutions that demonstrate a strong commitment to cardiovascular research.
In applying for an award applicants will have to demonstrate that a significant proportion (usually half) of the required funds is available locally.
Key requirements
- A lead investigator with an established reputation in clinical or basic cardiovascular science.
- Co-applicants with a record of high quality research in relevant fields.
- Evidence of substantial institutional commitment to cardiovascular research, indicative of a diverse and vibrant research environment which would benefit from the proposed award.
- Availability of a significant proportion (usually half) of the required funds from alternate sources, usually provided by the host institution.
The application will be judged on the quality of the candidate and co-applicants, their current and proposed research activities and the added value of the proposed new infrastructure.
Award may include
- The grant could be used to support building refurbishment or to buy major pieces of equipment to support the research activities of multiple cardiovascular groups that could not usually be requested on project or programme grants.
- The grant cannot be used for recurrent expenses such as salaries or consumables.
How to apply
Preliminary applications
Prospective applicants must submit a preliminary outline at least 18 months before the expected start date of any award and received our approval to submit a full application.
You will be asked to attach a PDF Case for Support to your online preliminary application form containing the following information:
- Title of proposed infrastructure
- A short summary of what you are applying for and why, in 200 words or less
- The nature and scope of the infrastructure to be funded by the requested award
- Scientific background to your proposal and research objectives of internal beneficiaries of the infrastructure (local investigators and their relevant research activities and aims)
- Summary of expected costs including the amount requested from the BHF and contributions from other sources of funding (including the contribution from the host institution)
- Name and type of contribution from any commercial collaborators, if relevant. See BHF Commercial Company Guidelines for further information.
- List of the principal investigator's and co-applicant(s)' relevant grants and publications.
Sections 1-6 must not exceed 3 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.
Preliminary applications should be submitted at least 18 months before the expected start date of any award. Allow one month for your outline to be considered.
Full applications
Once a preliminary application has been approved, the applicant will be able to complete an online full application form.
This should include a formal Case for Support which should be uploaded as a PDF document containing the following information:
- 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.
- Title of proposed infrastructure
- A short summary of what you are applying for and why in 200 words or less
- The nature and scope of the infrastructure to be funded by the requested award
- Scientific background to your proposal and research objectives of internal beneficiaries of the infrastructure (local investigators and their relevant research activities and aims)
- Summary of the international competitiveness of the internal beneficiaries
- Any external beneficiaries of the infrastructure
- A summary of the research environment and infrastructure and the underlying context of this application
- Sustainability plans for the infrastructure
- List of references relevant to the proposed research activities.
- List of the principal investigator's and co-applicant(s)' relevant grants and publications
- Appendices (maximum 3 sides of 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 2-9 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
- CV for lead applicant
- Letter of support from the Head of School or Dean confirming financial contributions from the University and confirming that the University will be responsible for any financial consequences outside the scope of the award
- Plans for the proposed new building and/or laboratories if relevant
- Plan to show office and laboratory space in square metres, and to show who will occupy each area if relevant
- Plans showing where the department is sited in relation to other departments if relevant
- Quotes obtained for requested equipment
- Quotes obtained for laboratory renovations if relevant
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 you 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.
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.