Entry requirements
- The applicant will normally be a member of one of the following groups of healthcare professionals, who is working in a cardiovascular setting:
- Nurses
- Midwives
- Allied Health Professionals, including clinical psychologists
- Healthcare Scientists
- The applicant will hold a PhD or equivalent taught Practitioner/Professional Doctorate.
- 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 wasn’t attained in their previous fellowships. Successful applicants can only receive a maximum of two awards.
- The research proposed should usually be related to the improvement of care and outcomes for people with cardiovascular disease. More fundamental/basic science research may be better supported through our other funding schemes. If you have any queries about the suitability of your research for this scheme, please contact us in advance of submitting an application.
- Get to know some of our BHF-funded researchers and read more about their lives, career inspirations and research interests.
Grant overview
- Three years duration, with the possibility of a two year extension.
- 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 'Supervisor' and provide an appropriate letter of support as part of the application.
- The Fellowship may be taken up on a part-time employment basis, where appropriate, following discussion and agreement with us and the employing institution. For more information, read about our Flexible working policies.
- If the Fellowship is taken up on a full-time basis, we recognise that part of the time (ideally no more than 20% though sometimes more if it can be argued that the research directly involves their patients) may be spent on patient care.
Award may include
- Salary of applicant
- Salary for technician or research assistant if required and fully justified
- Research consumables, directly attributable to the project
- Research equipment essential for the project
- Travel funding of up to £500 per year to present research at or attend scientific meetings relevant to the grant
How to apply
- Read the information in 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 onto the online application form
- Complete all the sections of the online application form
- The online application must be completed by the applicant
- Short-listed candidates may 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 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 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. 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 sides of A4. 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 supervisor(s)
- Letter of support from Head of Department where Fellowship will be based
- A statement from the Director of Nursing, AHP lead or equivalent, clearly explaining the type and extent of cardiovascular work (i.e. non-research time) to be undertaken during the Fellowship. If the Fellowship is to be taken up on a full time basis (i.e. a full salary is being requested from the BHF for the Fellow), then this is expected to not normally be more than 20% of the Fellow’s time. If the Fellowship is taken up on a part time basis, non-research time may be up to 50% overall (i.e. at least 50% of the Fellow's time must be spent on the fellowship). See our Flexible working policies for more information.
Additional document uploads that will be requested within pages on the application form:
- Supporting letters from collaborators
- Intellectual property agreements where relevant
- Valid copy of ethical approval if relevant
- Brief CV (two A4 sides) of named staff for whom salary is requested
- Quotes obtained for any requested equipment with a value of £5,000 or more
The BHF is prepared to consider funding or part-funding Career Development Research Fellowships that include research experience with an industry partner (for example, experience of experimental medicine). Please contact our office for advice if you are considering applying for a co-funded Career Development Research Fellowships.
Decision process
- There are two calls for applications for this scheme every year and the next deadline for applications is the 23rd April 2025. The following application deadline is the 29th October 2025. 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.
- Receipt will be acknowledged within 24 hours and we will advise you when you can expect the result. Candidates may be interviewed and a decision on this will be reached by the Fellowships Committee after it has considered external peer review reports. Allow six months from submission to decision.
The flowchart below 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.
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