BHF’s £485m research portfolio backs heart science across UK

Lifestyle & Wellness Desk 2026-10-26 13:57 2 min read

Researcher wearing blue nitrile lab gloves forming a heart shape with their hands.

The British Heart Foundation (BHF) says its cardiovascular research portfolio has reached £485 million, its largest since the Covid pandemic. The charity awarded £103 million in new research funding during 2025–26, taking the portfolio up by nearly £23 million year on year.

The funding supports nearly 1,300 researchers across 45 institutions in the UK and beyond. The figures describe the value of BHF’s active research portfolio; they do not show how much funding was awarded in the latest year alone or establish the impact of individual projects.

BHF’s £485m research portfolio backs heart science across UK

Funding supports research and public services

BHF’s 2026 annual report also says its Heart Helpline and online health information were used more than 35 million times. Its RevivR app reached a milestone of 500,000 people completing CPR training.

The charity reported £62 million in fundraising income and more than £105 million from legacies. It said rising costs and changing shopping and donation habits had put pressure on its shops. In June 2026, after the reporting period, BHF proposed closing 150 shops over two years, about a quarter of its retail estate, to protect income for research.

New investment plans include AI research

The report lists a £10 million investment in the BHF Data Science Centre and a £10 million AI-themed Cardiovascular Grand Challenge, due to be awarded in 2026–27. BHF also supports a $55 million global women’s heart health programme led by Wellcome Leap, with support from Pivotal.

These plans outline where the charity intends to invest and build partnerships; they are not evidence that the research has already produced new treatments. BHF says its broader 2035 ambitions include preventing heart disease, saving more lives and helping people with heart disease live longer, healthier lives.

Source: British Heart Foundation News

Context & actions About this article

Source check Source and checks

Figures and planned investments are attributed to the British Heart Foundation’s report announcement, with the reporting period distinguished from later proposals.

Checks

Attributed the £485 million portfolio and £103 million new awards to BHF.
Kept the 2025–26 reporting period separate from the June 2026 shop closure proposal.
Described the AI challenge as a planned award for 2026–27, not a completed research result...

British Heart Foundation News Check independent context