Consultant Research Awards

Grant overview

• To provide protected time for substantive NHS consultants to undertake substantial cardiovascular research activities in addition to their clinical roles, spending between 20% and 50%voftheir time over a period of 2-5 years in research.
• The application must include a proposal for a distinct programme of research, for which the applicant would have clear ownership and leadership. It is not appropriate to use the grant solely as a vehicle to request protected research time to prepare proposals for potential future funding or for additional funding for other schemes.
• 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 was not attained in their previous fellowships. Successful applicants can only receive a maximum of two awards.

Entry requirements

• Applicants must be substantive NHS consultants, usually with a PhD/MD and a previous record in carrying out high quality academic cardiovascular research. Applicants may already have some protected research time (e.g. 1-2 PAs) which they wish to build on and consolidate.
• The scheme is aimed at supporting NHS consultants who hold substantive clinical posts, not university-based clinicians who already have substantial research contracts. It does not support those holding locum NHS roles who are not in substantive posts.
   

Grant duration

• Up to 2 years full time or up to 5 years part time.

Awards may include

• Salary of applicant, up to 2-years full-time equivalent to backfill an equivalent number of NHS PAs. This can be taken on a full-time basis or spread across up to 5 years. It is expected that the PAs supported through an award would normally be relinquished from a 10 PA job plan. Exceptionally, we will backfill PAs in an existing job plan that does not exceed 12 PAs in total. In such cases, applicants will need to demonstrate that this would not impact on their overall capacity to complete their research activities.
• Other costs up to a maximum value of £35,000 per year:
  • Other staff salaries (e.g. for a part-time technician, research assistant, research nurse, or to buy other professional support time, e.g. from a statistician).
  • 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 attending scientific meetings relevant to the grant.

How to apply

• Read the information in How to apply
• Log onto the online application form
• The applicant must complete all the sections of the online application form
• Short-listed candidates will usually 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 (for any calls after the first one), 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 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. If requesting funding for a clinical study, include information for any relevant headers 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.

8. Power calculations.

9. Expected value of results.

10. List of references relevant to the proposed project.

11. 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).

12. Current clinical/research job split, and proposed job plan. This should be in the form of a timetable, showing pre- and post-award PAs, followed by a justification of why the requested amount of research time is what the project requires.

Section 2 - 9 must not exceed six 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 of support from the senior investigator named as the applicant’s mentor.

Additional document uploads that will be requested within pages on the application form:

• Letter of support from your NHS Clinical Service Director and/or Trust Medical Director which:
  • Includes a justification for the costs claimed to cover clinical sessions. 
  • Explains how the applicant’s planned clinical/research job split would be accommodated, including backfill in place for the duration of the award.
  • Guarantees that the applicant will be able to return to their previous role and job plan at the end of an award.
  • Details any other additional support the Trust would provide to increase the overall added value of the award.

• Letter of support from the Head of Department at the university where the Fellowship will be based that:
  • Gives a commitment from the academic institution to support the applicant to complete the project described by giving access to any resources/facilities required. 
  • Explains any other tangible support the university would offer the candidate.

• Supporting letters from collaborators where relevant. 
• Intellectual property agreements where relevant.
• Valid copy of ethical approval if relevant.
• Brief CVs for any additional named staff where relevant (apart from the applicant).
• 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 and we will advise you when you can expect the result. Shortlisted candidates will usually be interviewed and a decision on this will be reached by the Fellowships Committee after it has considered external subject matter expert reviews. 

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.

Apply online