In line with our research strategy, BHF will be championing more ambitious research projects across our funding schemes. Applications for this new scheme will open on 30 October 2025.
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 at up to 50% FTE whilst 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 2 years. Flexibility is emphasised and within the above guidelines, 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.
- 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.
- Get to know some BHF-funded researchers here to read more about their lives, career inspirations and research interests.
Entry requirements
- Candidates should be resident doctors in higher speciality training and hold a national training number (NTN).
- Candidates must also hold a PhD or MDRes or be in the final year of their PhD at the point of submission.
- Candidates from any clinical specialist training programme can apply with projects that fall within BHF’s cardiovascular remit.
- UK Residency requirements do not apply; however, candidates must hold a NTN on a UK training programme.
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.
- 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).
- 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).
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 [email protected] 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:
- 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:
- 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). 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. Research papers whether published, in press or in preparation may not be attached (although hyperlinks can be provided).
- Timeline for the expected completion of clinical training and a plan for how this will be undertaken alongside the research.
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 required on the 'Case for Support' page of 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)
- Letter of support from Head of Department where Fellowship will be based
- Letter of support from the candidate’s clinical Training Programme Director (TPD).
Additional document uploads that will be requested within pages on the application form:
- 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 14 January 2026. By this date, your application must be fully submitted to BHF after being approved by your Head of Department and Administrative Authority.
Decision process
Receipt will be acknowledged within 24 hours. Candidates will be interviewed and a decision on this will be reached by the Fellowships Committee after it has considered external subject matter expert reviews. Interviews will be held in April 2026 - specific dates will be added shortly. Final decisions are expected by the end of April.
The following flowchart shows the application journey.
Independent expert review
To help applicants better understand how their proposals are assessed, please see BHF independent review guidelines and blank review form.