What's on this page
Use the links below to jump straight to the information you require. Please ensure you have read the information on this page before you complete a full application form through the BHF Grants Management System.
Before you apply
You should have received approval to proceed with a full application for a Clinical Study Grant - via submitting a preliminary Clinical Study Grant application, or having your proposal endorsed by the GCRFF Multinational Clinical Trials Initiative.
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If your preliminary application was approved, the decision email should contain a link to log onto the online full application form. Please contact the Clinical Studies Committee team if you have not received a link to the form.
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If your proposal has been endorsed by the GCRFF Multinational Clinical Trials Initiative, please contact the Clinical Studies Committee team to obtain a link to the full Clinical Study Grant application form.
Before completing an application, please read Clinical Study Grant, which lists the grant specifications and entry requirements, and includes videos with tips for preparing a high quality Clinical Study Grant application. You should also read:
When to submit your application
There are two funding rounds a year for full applications for Clinical Study Grants; the next deadlines for full applications are no later than 5pm on:.]
- Wednesday 14th January 2026 for the April 2026 Clinical Studies Committee. [Rebuttal period – late March to early April 2025]
- Wednesday 1st July 2026 for the October 2026 Clinical Studies Committee. [Rebuttal period – late September to early October 2025]
Please note - it is the responsibility of the primary applicant to ensure that all necessary application approvals (by co-applicants/head of department/admin authority) are received in advance of these deadlines.
How to apply
Please complete an online full application form through our Grants Management System, accessed via the link provided in your preliminary application decision email. If your proposal has been endorsed by the GCRFF Multinational Clinical Trials Initiative, please contact the Clinical Studies Committee team to obtain a link to the full Clinical Study Grant application form.
Case for Support
In addition to completing the online application form you will be asked to upload a single PDF Case for Support containing the following information. Please use all of the headings in the order specified below.
Sections B and C (1–5) must not exceed 15 sides of A4.
Please ensure Arial font size 12 is used. If this font size is not used, the application will be rejected prior to formal consideration.
A. History of applications to BHF and response to feedback
1. Preliminary application feedback. If this is a first submission and you have received feedback on your preliminary application, please include an unedited copy of the feedback, stating that the feedback is from the preliminary application stage, followed by an explanation (limited to 1 side of A4) of how the full application has addressed this feedback.
2. GCRFF Expression of Interest feedback. For proposals that have been endorsed by the GCRFF Multinational Clinical Trials Initiative, include an unedited copy of the Expert Advisory Panel summary comments (you do not need to include individual reviewers’ comments), followed by an explanation (limited to 1 side of A4) of how the full application has addressed any concerns raised by the Panel.
3. Feedback for resubmissions. For resubmissions of full applications, please note the original BHF grant reference number and the date of the committee decision. Include an unedited copy of the original feedback (reviewers' and committee feedback) followed by a detailed response (limited to 3 sides of A4) explaining how you have addressed any concerns and how the revised application has changed from the original submission. It is not necessary to include your original rebuttal.
B. Title, abstract, background and expected value of results
1. Title of the proposed research.
2. Abstract of the proposed study (in 200 words or less).
3. Background to the project. Include:
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A description of the health problem being addressed.
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The clinical impact of the health problem.
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What is already known about the topic (include how previous studies, meta-analyses or systematic reviews support the proposal).
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The scientific rationale for the study. It is especially important to include the available evidence/pilot data for efficacy and safety of any proposed intervention.
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Why the study is needed now.
4. Expected value of results
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What the study will add and how it is novel.
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How the study might impact on clinical practice.
C. Study details
1. Hypothesis to be tested.
2. Questions to be addressed.
3. Study details, including all information listed in the Clinical Study Guidelines (Interventional Study) or in the Clinical Study Guidelines (Observational Study).
4. Dissemination plans. Explain how you will share the progress and findings of the study with study participants, and how you will inform the wider public and the NHS about the work. Read BHF policies on making trial results public and sharing results with participants.
5. Implementation of findings into clinical practice
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What strategies are being considered to promote the adoption or implementation of your study findings into clinical practice?
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Describe any potential barriers to adoption or implementation of your study findings.
6. References. List of references relevant to the proposed project (maximum of 3 A4 sides).
D. History of applications to other funders and other funding sources
Please provide information about applications to other funders (submitted or planned), the outcome of these applications and, if awarded, details about the amount of funding secured for the study, the duration of the award and the allocation of these funds. Please provide this information in a table.
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If your study is being conducted only in the UK, please see Example Table 1.
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If your study is a multinational study that has not been assessed through the GCRFF mechanism, please see Example Table 2.
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If your study is a multinational study that has been endorsed by the GCRFF, please see Example Table 3.
For applications to other funders that have been unsuccessful, explain briefly why the application was unsuccessful and outline how the application has changed in response to feedback (limited to 1 side of A4).
Please note. You will be asked to upload a copy of any decision letters received from other funders in the online application form.
E. List of principal investigator's and co-applicant(s)’ grants and publications relevant to the application
Include a maximum of six of the most recent/relevant publications and a maximum of six grants in the past 10 years for each person.
F. Summary page of the SoECAT form
Please read Costing a Clinical Study and Excess Treatment Costs to find out more about the system for attributing Research Costs, NHS Support Costs and Excess Treatment Costs, which involves completing a spreadsheet for attribution of costs called a Schedule of Events Cost Attribution Template (SoECAT).
Please attach the summary page of the completed and signed off SoECAT to the PDF.
Please note. You will be asked to upload the entire completed and signed off SoECAT in the Additional Information section of the online application form.
Patient and Public Involvement
You will also be asked to complete and upload the following form as part of your application form:
Plain Language Summary and questions about patient and public involvement (PPI)
This form will be reviewed by members of our Patient Advisory Group (PAG), who all have a personal experience of a heart or circulatory condition(s), either as a patient, carer or family member. View further information on the PAG review process.
For resubmissions: Please ensure you have updated the plain language summary and PPI form, and addressed PAG's previous comments.
For more information about PPI: Visit Patient and public involvement in clinical trials or contact the BHF PPI Team via [email protected].
Additional document upload checklist
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Supporting letters from collaborators (combined into a single PDF)
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Intellectual property agreements where relevant
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Valid copy of ethical approval if available
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Brief CV (two A4 sides) of named staff for whom salary is requested
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Quotes obtained for any requested equipment with a value of £5,000 or more
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Signed off Schedule of Events Cost Attribution Template (SoECAT)
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If you are planning a Vanguard phase - Vanguard costing table
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If your study has been previously considered by other research funding organisations, or if there have been parallel funding applications to other research funding organisations - PDF copies of any decisions letters received (including Committee feedback)