The Clinical Early Career Research Fellowship (Clinical ECRF) is a new scheme to support PhD/MDRes-qualified resident doctors in higher specialist clinical training to secure protected postdoctoral research time.

The Clinical ECRF provides an opportunity for talented candidates to secure protected research time to pursue a career in cardiovascular clinical academia after their PhD/MDRes, by building their research experience and competitiveness flexibly alongside clinical training. Eligible resident doctors can apply to hold an award from 20% to 50% FTE while undertaking clinical training, for a maximum duration of 4 years. Alternatively, candidates can also apply to hold an award full-time during an out of programme period, for a maximum duration of 12 months. Flexibility is emphasised, and eligible resident doctors should propose and justify the research and clinical training duration and time commitment that is appropriate to enable them to achieve their research goals, within the above guidelines.

Grant overview

• Up to 4 years part time (or the equivalent of 2 years full time), alongside clinical training.
• Protected postdoctoral research time up to 50% FTE alongside clinical training, or alternatively 100% FTE over a maximum 2 years. Candidates must justify the chosen time commitment and duration within their application and show how this will enable them to achieve their research plans.
• The candidate must have the support of a named senior investigator who will guarantee access to space and resources and provide scientific guidance for the duration of their Fellowship. This individual should be named on the application form as a 'Primary Academic Advisor' and provide an appropriate letter of support as part of the application. A ‘Secondary Academic Advisor’ can also be named in the host institution. This individual should also provide an appropriate letter of support.
• Candidates may spend up to 6 months at an overseas institution or in a second UK institution to gain research skills and expertise essential to the research. All overseas visits must be justified and permissible alongside clinical training requirements. Additionally, the candidate must have the support of a named senior investigator (Secondary Academic Advisor) at the institution who will guarantee access to space and resources and provide scientific guidance for the duration of the stay. This individual should provide an appropriate letter of support as part of the application.
• Confirmation of support from the relevant clinical training programme director must be provided, along with a plan for how the candidate will combine their clinical training and research over the proposed duration.
• Applicants are strongly encouraged to name up to 2 mentors who can provide independent advice on career and professional development. The mentor(s) may be based in the host institution if external to the applicant’s group, although an individual based in a different organisation may be preferred, to ensure impartial support. If more than one mentor is named, at least one must be in a different institution to the applicant. A letter of support from the nominated mentor(s) must be included with the application.

Award may include

• Salary of applicant (at equivalent NHS banding).
• Salary of a part-time research technician or research assistant (up to 2 years full time, or up to 4 years part time) to support the fellow in the practical aspects of delivering the proposal. The request for a supporting post will need to be fully justified.
• Research consumables directly attributable to the project.
• Research equipment essential for the project.
• Training fund (up to £3,000 per award) to provide financial support for the fellow’s research and development needs (such as workshops, training or coaching). Justification and breakdown for use of this fund does not need to be detailed within the application.
• Travel fund (up to £1,000 per year) to present research at or attend scientific meetings relevant to the grant.
• Contribution to expenses directly related to caring responsibilities incurred as a result of fellowship activities such as attending conferences, training, or collaborator visits (up to £200 per year that can be spent flexibly over the duration of the grant). Justification and breakdown for use of this fund does not need to be detailed within the application.

How to apply

Potential applicants for this award are encouraged to contact the BHF Fellowships team for an informal discussion about their application before applying. Please send an email to fellowships@bhf.org.uk attaching a full CV (no more than 2 sides of A4) and brief project description (no more than 1 side of A4). Please also provide an estimate of the anticipated cost of the grant you will be applying for.

• The online application form must be completed by the proposed Fellow.
• Read the information on how to apply.
• Read our commitment to improving support for clinical academics.
• If you are applying for funding for a clinical study, also read:
  • Costing a clinical study
  • Costing a clinical research imaging scan
  • Clinical Trial Units
  • Clinical Study Guidelines
• Log in to the online application form.
• Complete all the sections of the online application form.
• Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed.

Case for support

You will be asked to attach a single PDF document to your online application form containing the following information:

1. For resubmissions, include an unedited copy of the original feedback followed by a detailed response, limited to 3 sides of A4, explaining how the revised application has changed from the original submission.
2. Title of the proposed research.
3. Abstract of the proposed investigation in 200 words or less.
4. Background to the project and pilot data.
5. Original hypothesis.
6. Experimental details and design of proposed investigation.
7. If requesting funding for a clinical study, include all information listed in the Clinical Study Guidelines (Interventional Study) or in the Clinical Study Guidelines (Observational). If you do not provide the information outlined in the guidelines, your application may be returned without formal consideration.
8. Power calculations.
9. Expected value of results.
10. List of references relevant to the proposed project.
11. Appendices should be a maximum of 3 sides of A4 containing only tables or figures essential to the understanding of the application. Please include a Gantt chart for your project. Research papers whether published, in press or in preparation may not be attached (although hyperlinks can be provided).
12. Timeline for the expected completion of clinical training. Please also provide a weekly timetable showing how any clinical training (or clinical duties if OOP) will be undertaken alongside the research. This should be followed by a justification of why the requested amount of research time is what the project requires.

Sections 2 to 9 must not exceed 6 A4 sides. The PDF file size must not exceed 20MB.

Please ensure Arial font size 12 is used. If this font size is not used, the application will be rejected prior to formal consideration.

Additional document uploads that will be requested within pages on the application form:

• Full CV of the candidate including list of publications and academic email address
• Letter(s) of support from senior investigator(s) named as Fellowship Academic Advisor(s)
• If a second institution or overseas visit is proposed, include a letter of support from a senior investigator (Secondary Academic Advisor) who will provide access to space, resources and scientific guidance for the duration of the stay. Please also ensure that the purpose of the visit is explained clearly, in terms of the duration, the research to be carried out and any training that will be acquired.
• Letter of support from Head of Department where Fellowship will be based
• Letter of support from the candidate clinical Training Programme Director (TPD)
• Supporting letters from collaborators
• Supporting letter from named mentor(s)
• Intellectual property agreements where relevant
• Valid copy of ethical approvals related to the proposed work
• Quotes obtained for any requested equipment with a value of £5,000 or more.

When to apply

The next deadline for applications is 13 January 2027, 17:00. By this date, your application must be fully submitted to BHF after being approved by your Head of Department and Administrative Authority. BHF reserves the right to modify deadline dates. 

AI Based Application Success Predictor

Some of BHF’s main funding mechanisms (current or forthcoming) are:

Early Career Research Fellowship (ECRF) – for non-clinician researchers within ~4 years post-PhD or in final year of PhD, or re-entry, etc. 

Clinical Early Career Research Fellowship – for clinically qualified doctors in specialist training to get protected research time. 

Project Grants – up to ~£500,000, 4 years, for UK institutions, for postdoctoral or above PIs. 

Programme Grants – large, ambitious, longer-term grants (5 years, renewable) for senior or strong mid-career PIs, to address strategic cardiovascular themes. 

Special Project Grants – large, imaginative research programmes with senior PIs and strong track record. 

Infrastructure Grants – institutions can apply for large sums (up to ~£1 million) to support infrastructure (equipment, facilities) for cardiovascular science. Senior investigators needed, plus institutional contribution. 

Clinical Study Grants – for large observational studies or late-phase clinical trials. 

Predictors of Success in BHF Grant Applications

From BHF’s own rules, past funding rounds, and what BHF says is important, here are what seem to correlate with successful applications (strong predictors):

What Weaknesses / Common Pitfalls Hurt Applications

Also worth noting what often leads to weaker success chances (things to avoid):

Vague hypothesis or aims; poor conceptual clarity.

Lack of experimental detail, power/sample size justification or preliminary data.

Weak institutional support or unclear mentorship.

Overscope / too ambitious for requested funding/time period.

Poor cost justification or too high budget without justification.

Not aligning with BHF’s strategic priorities.

Failing eligibility criteria (for example, being too senior or too junior for a particular fellowship; wrong host institution; insufficient cardiovascular relevance).

Practical Tips / Strategy to Improve Your Chances

Based on the above, here are some actionable tips if you plan to apply:

Match the correct scheme to your career stage — don’t apply for a senior grant if you’re early career; aim for ECRF or Clinical ECRF, etc.

Demonstrate a strong cardiovascular theme — if your background is outside, make sure you explain relevance very clearly.

Prepare strong preliminary data / pilot work / at least proof-of-concept if possible — even early career.

Secure good letters of support / mentorship / institutional backing — include letters that detail what resources the institution will supply, how you’ll be supported scientifically.

Ensure your proposal is feasible given time and budget — don’t ask for extremely ambitious scope if resources/time are constrained.

Innovate — think cross-disciplinary or new approaches, novel technologies, or translational angles.

Think about impact — clinical, public health, patient benefit, or at least how your findings could lead to further work or translation.

Be explicit about diversity, flexibility, career breaks if applicable — many schemes are now more accommodating; stating this clearly can help.

Read the peer review / guidance documents — BHF publishes review guidelines, forms, etc. Use those to shape your application. British Heart Foundation

Talk to existing or past BHF grantees — see examples of what worked, get feedback on your draft.