We welcome the BHF’s first Policy on Diversity in Research Design. This sets clear expectations that all BHF-funded research must be representative of the people it serves.
As the largest independent funder of cardiovascular research in the United Kingdom, investing approximately £100 million annually, the British Heart Foundation (BHF) plays a pivotal role in shaping medical advancements. Historically, cardiovascular diseases have often acted as diseases of inequality, with certain demographics frequently underserved by traditional research models. The BHF’s newly published policy seeks to correct this imbalance, mandating that inclusivity becomes a foundational component of scientific exploration.
Why it matters:
Under this new framework, researchers are expected to factor relevant demographics—such as age, ethnicity, socio-economic status, sex, and gender—into every stage of their methodology. Whether scientists are formulating research questions, gathering data, or selecting participants, these characteristics must be actively considered.
Crucially, this policy applies across the entire spectrum of research. For studies involving human participants, cellular data, or healthcare interventions, the target distribution must accurately mirror the real-world population affected by the specific condition. The BHF is also addressing preclinical disparities; animal studies and animal cell research must no longer rely on a single sex unless researchers can provide a robust scientific justification. Furthermore, scientists are expected to include sex- and gender-disaggregated analyses to uncover how conditions and treatments affect different groups uniquely.
To prove its commitment to this shift, the BHF has confirmed it is prepared to fund the additional costs required to achieve representative study designs, provided those expenses are thoroughly justified in the initial grant application.
This policy introduces strict accountability measures for the scientific community. Moving forward, grant applicants must explicitly outline how they have considered demographic factors and detail their proposed study balance. These inclusivity plans will be actively evaluated by independent experts and committee members as a core part of the funding decision.
Once a grant is awarded, the oversight continues. Clinical study leaders are required to submit regular progress updates detailing the demographics of their recruits and the proactive steps being taken to improve diversity. Final project reports will also demand a comprehensive breakdown of the actual study population, ensuring researchers follow through on their initial inclusivity goals.
To assist the scientific community in adapting to these requirements, the BHF has highlighted numerous external resources, such as the Inclusivity Checklist for Clinical Research, Trial Forge, and the MESSAGE (Medical Science Sex and Gender Equity) initiative.
By establishing these rigorous expectations, the BHF is steering cardiovascular research toward a more equitable future. It guarantees that the next generation of life-saving treatments will be built on comprehensive data that truly reflects the diverse public relying on it.
To learn more about the BHF’s Policy on Diversity in Research Design and to explore the full guidelines and resources available, click here.
