• To provide protected time for substantive NHS consultants to undertake substantial cardiovascular research activities in addition to their clinical roles, spending between 20% and 50% of their time over a period of 2 to 5 years in research.
• The application must include a proposal for a distinct programme of research, for which the applicant would have clear ownership and leadership. It is not appropriate to use the grant solely as a vehicle to request protected research time to prepare proposals for potential future funding or for additional funding for other schemes.
• Successful applicants of this award may submit a second application if a compelling case can be made. Applicants will need to demonstrate how a second award would support the applicant’s trajectory towards scientific independence and clarify why this was not attained in their previous fellowships. Successful applicants can only receive a maximum of 2 awards.

Entry requirements

• Applicants must be substantive NHS consultants, usually with a PhD/MD and a previous record in carrying out high quality academic cardiovascular research. Applicants may already have some protected research time (e.g. 1 to 2 PAs) which they wish to build on and consolidate.
• The scheme is aimed at supporting NHS consultants who hold substantive clinical posts, not university-based clinicians who already have substantial research contracts. It does not support those holding locum NHS roles who are not in substantive posts.
   

We encourage applications from everyone, and particularly welcome female applicants as they are currently underrepresented in this grant scheme.

Grant duration

• Up to 2 years full time or up to 5 years part time

Awards may include

• Salary of applicant, up to 2-years full-time equivalent to backfill an equivalent number of NHS PAs. This can be taken on a full-time basis or spread across up to 5 years. It is expected that the PAs supported through an award would normally be relinquished from a 10 PA job plan. Exceptionally, we will backfill PAs in an existing job plan that does not exceed 12 PAs in total. In such cases, applicants will need to demonstrate that this would not impact on their overall capacity to complete their research activities.
• Other costs up to a maximum value of £35,000 per year:
  • Other staff salaries (e.g. for a part-time technician, research assistant, research nurse, or to buy other professional support time, e.g. from a statistician)
  • Research consumables directly attributable to the project
  • Research equipment essential for the project
• Travel fund (up to £1000 per year) to present research at or attend scientific meetings relevant to the grant
• Discretionary fund (up to £1,000 per year) to provide flexible financial support for the fellow’s research and development needs, including but not limited to professional development (such as workshops, training or coaching), research-related equipment, or any other resources that will help advance their fellowship experience
• 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)

How to apply

• Read the information in How to apply
• Log onto the online application form
• The applicant must complete all the sections of the online application form
• Short-listed candidates will usually be interviewed

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 your proposed duration, expected research time commitment and an estimate of the anticipated cost of the grant you will be applying for.

Case for Support

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

For resubmissions (for any calls after the first one), 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 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 information for any relevant headers 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

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).

Current clinical/research job split, and proposed job plan. This should be in the form of a timetable, showing pre- and post-award PAs, followed by a justification of why the requested amount of research time is what the project requires.

Section 2 to 9 must not exceed six 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 required on Case for Support page of the application form:

• Full CV of the candidate including list of publications and academic email address
• Letter of support from the senior investigator named as the applicant’s mentor

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

• Letter of support from your NHS Clinical Service Director and/or Trust Medical Director which:
  • Includes a justification for the costs claimed to cover clinical sessions.
  • Explains how the applicant’s planned clinical/research job split would be accommodated, including backfill in place for the duration of the award
  • Guarantees that the applicant will be able to return to their previous role and job plan at the end of an award
  • Details any other additional support the Trust would provide to increase the overall added value of the award
• Letter of support from the Head of Department at the university where the Fellowship will be based that:
  • Gives a commitment from the academic institution to support the applicant to complete the project described by giving access to any resources/facilities required
  • Explains any other tangible support the university would offer the candidate

• Supporting letters from collaborators where relevant
• Intellectual property agreements where relevant
• Valid copy of ethical approval if relevant
• Brief CVs for any additional named staff where relevant (apart from the applicant)
• 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. This is the date by which your application must be fully submitted to the BHF after being approved by your co-applicants, 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):

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.