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Clinical Research Training Fellowships

British Heart Foundation

Applicants should usually be after Foundation year two, but before award of a CCT.
- Click here to listen to podcasts organised by the British Junior Cardiologists' Association (BJCA) to gain insights from various clinical fellows on their research journey.
- Meet some of our BHF-funded Fellows on our Fellows page.
Residency requirements do not apply
- Clinical Research Training Fellowship candidates are eligible to apply for accelerated endorsement of the UK Global Talent Visa. More information on the UK Global Talent Visa

Grant duration

Usually three years to complete a PhD, although applications for two years to complete an MD or equivalent will be considered.

Award may include

Salary of applicant
Research consumables directly attributable to the project, usually less than £18,000 per year
Tuition fees (excluding college fees) at standard home student rate (set by the research institution, although a cap applies. Please refer to the Grant Costing Guide).
Travel funding of up to £3,000 per award to present research at or attend scientific meetings relevant to the grant

How to apply

Read the information in 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 Trials Units
- Clinical Study Guidelines
Log onto the online application form
Complete all the sections of the online application form

Case for Support

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

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.
Title of the proposed research
Abstract of the proposed investigation in 200 words or less
Background to the project and pilot data
Original hypothesis
Experimental details and design of proposed investigation
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 Study). If you do not provide the information outlined in the guidelines, your application may be returned without formal consideration.
Power calculations
Expected value of results
List of references relevant to the proposed project
List of recent relevant publications from supervisor
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).
Statement detailing the scientific techniques in which the candidate will be trained
Candidate’s training programme listing skills to be acquired during the grant

Sections 2-9 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
Supporting letters from supervisors, confirming support for the candidate
Supporting letters from collaborators
Intellectual property agreements where relevant
Valid copy of ethical approval if relevant
Quotes obtained for any requested equipment with a value of £5,000 or more

The BHF is prepared to consider funding or part-funding Clinical Research Training Fellowships that include research experience with an industry partner (for example, experience of experimental medicine). Please contact our office for advice if you are considering applying for a co-funded Clinical Research Training Fellowship.

When to apply

The next deadline for applications is 13 January 2027, 17:00. This is the deadline that your application must be fully submitted to BHF after being approved by your Head of Department and Administrative Authority. Applications submitted after this date will not be considered until the following deadline. The following application deadline is 16 June 2027. 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):

Predictor	Why It Helps / How It Shows Up in BHF’s Criteria
Strong track record (past publications, relevant experience)	Even for early-career fellowships, applicants are expected to show “evidence of exceptional research ability.” For senior grants, you need an internationally competitive profile.
Clear cardiovascular relevance / theme	All BHF funding is tied to heart & circulatory disease. Even if you’re transitioning from another discipline (e.g. data science, engineering), you must clearly show how you apply it to cardiovascular research.
Institutional support / host environment	For Fellowships, project or infrastructure grants, BHF asks for proof of institutional commitment (facilities, mentorship, governance of project, etc.). The infrastructure grants require co-funding locally from institution.
Feasibility and pilot/preliminary data / detailed project plan	Project grants, special project grants are rejected if hypothesis poorly described, lack of pilot data, weak experimental detail or power calculation.
Ambition / Novelty / Strategic Impact	BHF is increasingly emphasizing ambitious proposals (especially in Programme Grants), interdisciplinary or cross-disciplinary projects, novel approaches, translational potential.
Value for money and cost justification	Because BHF is a charity, proposals that use funds efficiently, justify costs, avoid unnecessary overhead, and deliver high impact per £ tend to score well.
Good mentorship / advisor support	For early career fellowships particularly, you must name a “Primary Academic Advisor,” show letters of support, show that host institution provides what is needed.
Flexible working / handling career breaks / diversity	BHF allows for part-time work, accommodates people returning from industry or taking career breaks; they encourage or allow such cases when justified.
Translational potential or clinical relevance	Especially in Clinical Fellowships, Clinical Studies, and large programme grants: showing that the work has potential to move toward patient benefit or influence clinical practice adds weight.
Well-justified budget	Especially for expensive items, equipment, staffing—when you request, the budget must be sensible, and for big items may need cost sharing or justification.

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.

Specialties

Cardiothoracic Surgery

Cardiovascular Diseases

Eligibility Requirements

The application must be made by an established investigator who will be the supervisor for a named student. The primary supervisor must devote a minimum of 10% of their time to supervising the student and hold a post at the host institution for the duration of the studentship. A second supervisor should also be included.
Applicants who have started a PhD (or equivalent) may be eligible to apply for a Clinical Research Training Fellowship, but may only apply within 6 months of having registered for their PhD. In these circumstances, the proposed start date for the Clinical Research Training Fellowship should also be no more than 12 months (or full-time equivalent) from the date of registration for the degree.

Sponsor Details

Sponsor Institute/Organizations: British Heart Foundation

Sponsor Type: Corporate/Non-Profit

Address: Greater London House, 4th Floor, 180 Hampstead Road, London NW1 7AW

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