The Discovery Research Early Career Fellowship is aimed to fund exceptional early career researchers. This scheme will provide candidates a platform to broaden their research horizons and start developing their own distinct research leadership. These awards are intended to support outstanding, hypothesis-testing research that has the potential to ultimately improve outcomes for patients with cardiovascular disease.

The program is open to applicants with a background in cardiovascular research as well as those transitioning from other disciplines or industry, during the last year of their PhD or up to 4 years from the date of their PhD award letter. This scheme is also open to career re-entry and international applicants. Eligible candidates can apply for an award of up to 4 years, or an equivalent duration for part-time work.

This fellowship scheme is open to all non-clinician scientists working on a cardiovascular research project including, but not limited to, bench-based discovery scientists, epidemiologists, data scientists, geneticists, engineers, behavioural scientists and researchers from other relevant disciplines. Clinician scientists are encouraged to apply to the equivalent clinical scheme. This alignment reflects efforts to unify with the current national funder curriculum.

Grant overview

• Up to 4 years duration without extension.
• In the established UK-based host institution, 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 the ‘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, if a secondary institution is not involved. This individual should also provide an appropriate letter of support.
  • The host institution must demonstrate strong evidence of sustained research excellence in the cardiovascular field. This includes a significant critical mass of expertise in the field and necessary infrastructure to effectively support the applicant in successfully undertaking their research project.
• Applicants may spend up to 1.5 years of the award overseas or at a second UK institution if this would benefit their proposed project or support their training and development. Any proposed time away from the host institution must be clearly justified within the application form.
  • The candidate must have the support of a named senior investigator (Secondary Academic Advisor) at this secondary 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.
• Applicants are strongly encouraged to name up to two 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 to ensure impartial support may be preferred. 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.
• Researchers new to cardiovascular research must indicate they are entering cardiovascular research from an alternative discipline within the application form and provide the following details:
  
  • a summary of research experience in their current field, including any relevant outputs
  • a statement explaining their motivation to transition to cardiovascular research and how the fellowship will support this
• The Fellowship may be taken up on a part-time employment basis (at least 0.5 FTE), where appropriate, following discussion and agreement with us and the employing institution. For more information read our flexible working policies page.

Award may include

• Salary of applicant.
• 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. Consumables will not be provided overseas as facilities should be provided by the host department.
• Research equipment essential for the project. Equipment will not be provided overseas as facilities must be provided by the host department.
• 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 £4,000 per award) 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 £800 per award). Justification and breakdown for use of this fund does not need to be detailed within the application.

For overseas visits of more than 6 months:

• One return economy fare for the Fellow, their partner and up to 2 dependent children
• Where there isn't a public provision of healthcare (for example, the USA), BHF will contribute towards healthcare insurance. Full details must be provided in the application.
• Housing contribution of up to £3,000

How to apply

Potential applicants for this award are strongly 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 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
• 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. Power calculations
8. Expected value of results
9. List of references relevant to the proposed project
10. Appendices should be a maximum of 3 sides of A4 containing only tables or figures essential to the understanding of the application. A Gantt chart should be included. Research papers whether published, in press or in preparation may not be attached (although hyperlinks can be provided).

Sections 2-8 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 the Head of Department where the Fellowship will be based
• Supporting letters from collaborators
• Supporting letter from named mentor(s)
• 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

When to apply

The next deadline for applications is 16 September 2026, 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. Applicants are strongly encouraged to submit their application well in advance of the deadline. In exceptional circumstances BHF reserves the right to modify deadline dates or close the round early. The following application deadline is 3 March 2027.

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.