Pioneers in the fight against heart disease

Over the last 40 years, Heart Research UK has funded many of the ground breaking medical breakthroughs we take for granted, including the first ever sucessful UK heart transplants and the development of heart valves.

We currently fund grants worth more than £2.8million at more than 35 universities and hospitals around the UK.  We focus on funding innovative, pioneering research and often support young researchers on their first steps into heart research.

Heart Research UK Medical Milestones

• The first sucessful UK heart transplants.
• The development of heart valves, including the Killingbeck Valve developed by our founder, Mr David Watson.
• The first ever artificial heart pump, implanted in Peter Houghton in 2000, who held the World Record as the longest surviving person with an artificial heart after 7 years with the device.
• Ongoing development of an artificial heart device at Leeds University to aid patients with heart failure, which could have an impact on millions of lives.

Stop it before it starts

Prevention has to be better than cure, so we fund community-based Healthy Heart Grants aimed at encouraging people to make the right lifestyle choices to improve their heart health. So far, we have awarded more than £280,000 to innovative community projects around the UK.

Click here for more information about Healthy Heart Grants

Grant categories

Until end of July 2008, Clinical, Basic Science, Novel and Emerging Technologies and Healthy Heart Grants.  After this date, new programme of medical research grants will be announced.  

The first rung on the ladder

Intercalated BSc Scholarships are also awarded to outstanding medical students who are keen to specialise in the field of heart research.

For more information on grants contact Heart Research UK on 0113 297 6203 or email research@heartresearch.org.uk