In line with our research strategy, BHF will be championing more ambitious research projects across our funding schemes. The Intermediate Basic Science Fellowship will be replaced with the new Future Leader Fellowship.
Applications for the scheme will open on 30 October 2025.
The Future Leader Fellowship (FLF) will provide long-term support to high-potential scientists as they transition to independence, leading their own research projects and teams. The programme is open to applicants with a background in cardiovascular research as well as those returning to academia from industry or a career break. This scheme is also open to international applicants. Eligible candidates can apply for an award of up to 7 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.
Get to know some BHF-funded researchers here to read more about their lives, career inspirations and research interests.
Entry requirements
- Candidates must be able to show, by publications or otherwise, evidence of exceptional research ability, demonstrating clear steps towards establishing research independence. Eligible candidates will need to have at least 4 years post-doctoral experience.
- Candidates must propose a project which has a strong cardiovascular research theme.
Eligible candidates also include:
- scientists returning from industry
- candidates returning to academia after a career break of more than 6 months
- international candidates planning to come to the UK through the accelerated endorsement of the UK Global Talent visa.
Grant overview
- Up to 7 years duration, without extension.
- Awarded fellows will be required to submit a progress report for review at the end of year 4.
- Part of the award may be spent overseas or in a second UK institution, subject to a justified case being made.
- 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 award 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.
- A secondary institution (either overseas or a second UK institution) can also be named. If so, the candidate must additionally have the support of a named senior investigator (Secondary Academic Advisor) 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.
- 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.
- The Committee will typically expect host institutions to articulate their plans for supporting fellows in securing tenured academic positions upon successful completion of their awards. A formal commitment to a tenured position or equivalent from the host institution will be required at the progress review.
Award may include
- Salary of applicant
- Salary of an associated post (post-doctoral research assistant, technician or research assistant) if required and 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
- Discretionary fund (up to £7,000 per award) 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
- Travel fund (up to £7,000 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 £1,400 per award)
For overseas visits of up to 6 months:
- One return economy fare for the Fellow only
- A justified subsistence allowance.
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 there isn’t a public provision of healthcare (for example, USA), BHF will contribute towards healthcare insurance. Full details must be provided in the application.
- Housing contribution up to £3,000.
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 prospective 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:
- 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
- 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. 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 2-9 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 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)
- 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, showing the academic institution's commitment to the applicant, including confirmation of any financial and career development support they will be providing.
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 approval if relevant
- Brief CV (2 A4 sides) of named staff for whom salary is requested
- Quotes obtained for any requested equipment with a value of £5,000 or more.
When to apply
The next deadline for applications is 1 April 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, and we will advise you when you can expect the result. Shortlisted 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.
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.