Wessex Health Partners (WHP) and Southampton Hospitals Charity (SHC) have launched a new £100,000 funding scheme to support innovative projects that improve women’s health and cardiovascular health for our local population.
The joint call will provide £50,000 for women’s health projects and £50,000 for cardiovascular health projects, supporting research, Patient and Public Involvement and Engagement (PPIE), workshops and other initiatives that can generate impact, strengthen collaborations and improve health outcomes for local communities.
The funding opportunity delivers the shared ambitions of Wessex Health Partners and Southampton Hospitals Charity by bringing together expertise across organisations, addressing major health challenges facing the region, and accelerating the translation of research and innovation into real benefits for patients and communities. It also fosters cross‑organisational and interdisciplinary collaboration, strengthening partnerships and shaping future programmes of work across Wessex.
Applications must be led by a substantive employee of a WHP partner organisation and include at least one Southampton-based collaborator1. The funding is intended as pump-prime investment to help teams develop ideas, establish partnerships and attract future external funding.
Christine McGrath, Managing Director of Wessex Health Partners, said:
"This joint funding call with Southampton Hospitals Charity reflects our shared commitment to tackling some of the most important health challenges facing our communities. By supporting innovative ideas and new collaborations across Wessex, we hope to stimulate activity that leads to meaningful improvements in women's health and cardiovascular health, while creating opportunities for future research and investment."
Ellis Banfield, Chief Executive, Southampton Hospitals Charity, said:
"We are delighted to partner with Wessex Health Partners on this exciting initiative. Charitable funding can play a vital role in helping teams test new ideas, build evidence and develop projects with the potential to improve care and outcomes for patients across our region."
Most awards are expected to be under £5,000, although applications for larger awards of up to £20,000 will be considered where a strong case is demonstrated.
The deadline for applications is Friday 29 January 2027.
Researchers and practitioners wishing to discuss a potential application can contact the Southampton Hospitals Charity team at grants@southamptonhospitalscharity.org.
For full guidance and eligibility criteria, visit the funding call webpage.
1 Wider than WHP Southampton partners