We understand that the current and evolving situation with Covid-19 brings challenges for our BHF funded research community. In recognition of the potential impact COVID-19 may have on the research we are funding and the small meetings/conferences we have agreed to support we outline our position below.
Research Grants
If research institutions shut down for a period of time we will continue to pay the salaries of staff funded on grants for the same duration. Details of all staff affected must be provided in order to ensure payments are honoured.
If clinical research staff funded on grants are asked to support front line NHS staff, we will also continue to pay salaries, recognising that these costs may be subsequently recoverable from the NHS.
We are prepared to support requests for no cost extensions to grants to cover any delays caused by the suspension of research.
If suspension of research is prolonged and costed extensions are required we will consider requests on a case by case basis.
Grants for Small Meetings
We will honour the payment of grants for small meetings which are postponed and rescheduled within 1 year of the original date due to Covid-19. Details must be provided as soon as a decision is made to delay the meeting.
If meetings need to be cancelled and cannot be rescheduled we recognise that some costs may not be recoverable. In these instances the organisation should cancel the meeting at the earliest opportunity to obtain maximum refunds of any costs already incurred in order to mitigate the cost to the BHF. Full details must be provided before we will release any funds.
Please refer to this notice regularly as our position may change as the Covid-19 outbreak evolves.