Up to £500,000 for Healthcare Innovation – British Heart Foundation

The British Heart Foundation (BHF) Healthcare Implementation Fund 2026 is offering grants of up to £500,000 to support innovative projects that improve the delivery of healthcare services for people living with cardiovascular disease.

Previously known as the Healthcare Innovation Fund, the programme supports early-stage testing and scaling of new approaches to cardiovascular care within real-world NHS settings.

The aim is to identify practical solutions that improve patient outcomes, strengthen healthcare services and demonstrate measurable improvements in care delivery.

Applications close 16 November 2026 at 12 noon.

Here's what you can expect:

• Up to £500,000 in grant funding

• Support for innovative cardiovascular healthcare projects

• Funding for early-stage testing of new approaches

• Opportunities to scale promising healthcare solutions

• Support for improving patient care and clinical services

• Funding for projects introducing new healthcare technologies

• Opportunities for collaboration between NHS organisations, universities and other partners

• Support for projects demonstrating measurable improvements in healthcare delivery

What projects can be funded?

The fund supports innovative approaches that address unmet needs in cardiovascular healthcare.

Projects should aim to achieve at least one of the following outcomes.

1. Reducing Hospital Admissions

Projects helping reduce unnecessary hospital admissions and readmissions.

Examples include:

• Improving preventative care

• Supporting earlier interventions

• Strengthening patient monitoring

• Improving community-based cardiovascular services

2. Improving Patient Flow

Initiatives helping patients access appropriate care more efficiently.

Examples include:

• Improving referral pathways

• Reducing delays in treatment

• Strengthening coordination between healthcare services

• Improving patient discharge processes

3. Enhancing Quality of Care

Projects improving the quality, safety and effectiveness of cardiovascular services.

Areas of interest include:

• Improving patient experiences

• Strengthening clinical pathways

• Introducing new approaches to care delivery

• Improving access to specialist services

4. Implementing New Technologies

Projects introducing innovative technologies into cardiovascular healthcare.

Examples may include:

• Digital healthcare solutions

• Remote patient monitoring

• Innovative diagnostic technologies

• New clinical tools

• Technology-enabled care pathways

5. Improving Healthcare Resources

Initiatives helping healthcare providers make better use of available resources.

Examples include:

• Improving service efficiency

• Reducing unnecessary processes

• Supporting workforce productivity

• Improving resource allocation

6. Strengthening Communication and Collaboration

Projects improving coordination between healthcare professionals, services and patients.

Examples include:

• Improving communication between clinical teams

• Strengthening multidisciplinary working

• Supporting patient engagement

• Improving information sharing

Who can apply?

The fund is open to eligible healthcare and academic teams across the United Kingdom.

The lead applicant must be employed by:

• An NHS organisation; or

• A UK-based academic institution.

Applications are invited from teams identified and supported by relevant regional innovation bodies, including:

• Health Innovation Networks in England

• Innovation Hubs in Scotland

• Cardiac Network Board in Wales

• Cardiology Network in Northern Ireland

Projects may also involve additional partners, including:

• Charities and voluntary organisations

• Healthcare technology companies

• Industry partners

• Third-sector organisations

• Other relevant healthcare stakeholders

However, the lead applicant must meet the NHS or UK academic employment requirement.

Key eligibility requirements

Applicants must demonstrate that:

• The project introduces an innovative or novel approach.

• The proposed solution addresses an identified cardiovascular healthcare need.

• Initial project scoping has already been completed.

• The project will deliver measurable improvements in healthcare services.

• An appropriate multidisciplinary team has contributed to the proposal.

• Patients and carers have been involved appropriately.

• The project includes a structured evaluation plan.

• The application provides a detailed and justified budget.

Projects requesting close to the maximum £500,000 must provide particularly strong justification for the funding required.

What types of projects are supported?

The fund supports two project stages.

Early-Stage Testing

Projects testing innovative solutions that have already undergone initial scoping.

These projects aim to establish whether a proposed approach can improve cardiovascular healthcare in practice.

Early-Stage Scaling

Projects expanding promising solutions that have already demonstrated potential.

These projects aim to assess whether an approach can be implemented more widely across healthcare settings.

How much funding is available?

Grant Amount: Up to £500,000 per project

The amount awarded will depend on the project's scope, complexity and proposed costs.

Applicants must provide a detailed budget explaining how the requested funding will be used.

The British Heart Foundation has previously awarded approximately £5.74 million through the Healthcare Implementation Fund and its predecessor.

How does the application process work?

Step 1 – Review the Funding Criteria

Applicants should read the Healthcare Implementation Fund Criteria Pack to confirm their project's eligibility.

Step 2 – Register for an Account

Create an account or sign in through the BHF Research Grants system.

Step 3 – Select the Application Type

Choose the relevant application form:

• Early-stage testing

• Early-stage scaling

Step 4 – Complete the Application

Provide details about:

• The healthcare problem being addressed

• The proposed innovative solution

• Project objectives

• Expected patient benefits

• Team members and partnerships

• Evaluation methods

• Project budget

Step 5 – Submit Online

Applications must be submitted through the BHF Grant Management System.

Applications submitted by email will not be accepted.

Key dates

Applications Opened: 21 September 2026

Application Deadline: 16 November 2026 at 12 noon

Application Assessment: November–December 2026

Funding Decisions Expected: March 2027

Next Funding Round: March/April 2027