Applying for and receiving funding

What you need to know

Our funding priorities

We are dedicated to supporting initiatives that build a healthier UK. 

We fund projects that test and spread innovative ideas, build capacity, skills and knowledge, and share evidence to inform effective policymaking. You can see details of previous work we have supported.

Our funding focuses on improving public health, reducing health inequalities and enhancing the quality of health care services. Key priorities include preventive measures, support for the NHS and social care systems and promoting mental health and wellbeing. We work with a wide range of organisations and individuals including universities and health care providers.

Terms and conditions

We are committed to maintaining transparency and fairness in all our funding, procurement and partnership activities. 

Our terms and conditions outline the responsibilities and expectations for everyone involved. By working with us, you agree to meet these terms which we consider a reasonable minimum standard for all parties. For awards, these are our standard terms though additional conditions may also apply to specific awards or contracts. We would advise on these as needed.

Conflicts of interest

Integrity and impartiality are paramount to our funding, procurement and partnership processes. 

The purpose of the Foundation’s conflicts of interest policy and procedure is ultimately to ensure that the decisions taken by the Foundation are independent and without bias. To ensure fairness, we require all participants to disclose any potential conflicts of interest that might reasonably be considered a conflict with our charity, our mission and/or the specific opportunity of ours that you may be engaging with.

The conflicts of interest policy covers the awards and contracts that the Foundation enters into, as well as the actions of governors, staff and other individuals working on behalf of the Foundation. It describes how it will deal with any conflicts that arise as a result of the work that the charity undertakes. All parties involved in work with the Health Foundation should familiarise themselves with the contents of the policy and declare any interests that are relevant. 

Intellectual property

We are dedicated to ensuring that the work we fund translates into tangible benefits for the public and the sustainability of our ongoing mission. 

We strive to create a mutually beneficial environment that encourages and supports those we work with to build a healthier UK.

When applying for funding, applicants should outline (for mutual agreement) how they plan to manage and share their expected outputs and related intellectual property. We acknowledge that IP arrangements will vary depending on the nature of the work. We will be clear on any intellectual property arrangements that are necessary to achieve public benefit or other purposes before any applications.

How we review applications

The following timeline sets out how we review applications. Through the process, we are committed to supporting you with resources, guidance and feedback.

• Announcement and invitation to apply: We share details of the opportunity on our website, including the timeline, guidance and eligibility requirements.
• Application process: Applicants submit proposals via our online platform.
• Initial review: We screen applications for eligibility and completeness and carry out initial due diligence.
• Evaluation: We assess applications and score them based on programme criteria, including quality assurance.
• Shortlisting: We notify shortlisted parties and carry out further interviews, negotiation, full due diligence and evaluation.
• Final decision: We inform both successful and unsuccessful parties of our decision. The final agreement is negotiated and executed.
• Project or engagement starts: Delivery of project work or operational services begins, in line with the agreed methodologies and objectives.

For funding opportunities only:

• Progress reports: Funding recipients submit periodic progress reports detailing milestones achieved, challenges encountered and any adjustments made to the project plan.
• Final report: Upon conclusion a final report summarising findings, methodologies and outcomes is submitted to the Health Foundation for review.

For procurement and partnership opportunities only:

• Ongoing supplier relationship management: Beginning from the point of contract signature, we aim to build a close working relationship alongside clear expectations that sets all parties up for success and satisfactory delivery of agreed milestones and objectives.

How we work with suppliers and award holders

We believe in building collaborative, inclusive and productive relationships with third parties. This includes suppliers, partners and award holders. 

We will hold all parties to account (including ourselves) based on fair and reasonable agreed expectations, ensuring that accountability goes both ways. By building strong working relationships, we aim to deliver high standards and deep and far-reaching impact in all our activities.

What you can expect from working with the Health Foundation

We will:

• assign a dedicated point of contact to you
• respond to your queries in a timely manner and provide reasonable notice for requests for information
• be transparent about our approach and expectations
• work collaboratively and inclusively
• process agreement, contracts and payments in a timely manner
• agree a timeline for reporting
• demonstrate integrity, respect, equity and inclusion at all times
• be transparent about our approach and expectations regarding quality assurance
• for funding programmes, support the mobilisation and promotion of any outputs for public benefit.

We ask you to:

• nominate a primary and secondary point of contact, as well as a financial point of contact
• respond to queries and meet governance and reporting requirements in a timely manner
• be transparent regarding your approach to quality assurance and outputs
• acknowledge the Health Foundation as funder in all outputs as specified in the contract or award agreement
• maintain an open and honest dialogue, flagging potential risks or issues before or as they may arise including financial variation
• agree a timeline for reporting
• demonstrate research integrity, respect, equity and inclusion at all times
• for funding programmes:
  • engage with the Health Foundation in our efforts to maximise and mobilise the outputs gained from your work after the end of the project
  • discuss your planned outputs so we have sufficient time to consider what support we might provide on dissemination
• recognise that we are a Living Wage employer and ensure that any engaged resources are paid a compliant Living Wage as well as support our proactive leadership towards eradicating modern slavery, which you can read more about in our modern slavery statement.

Contact us

The email address below is intended for enquiries about the terms and conditions outlined above. We are unfortunately unable to consider unsolicited or speculative funding applications. All applications must be submitted in response to our Open for Application funding opportunities. If you have any questions about these terms and conditions, please contact fundingandprocurementqueries@health.org.uk.