Senior Clinical Research Fellowships

What is the scheme for?

Senior Clinical Research Fellowships support outstanding clinician scientists expected to reach Readership or Chair level within 10 years.

Get to know some of the BHF-funded researchers here to learn more about their lives, inspirations and research interests.

Who is suitable to apply?

• The applicant can be training/trained in any clinical specialty (e.g. cardiology, cardiac/vascular surgery, emergency medicine, endocrinology and diabetes, general practice, neurology, public health, radiology) but the research proposed must be within the BHF’s overall remit. 
• The applicant will usually be a senior postdoctoral investigator, often having held a Clinical Lectureship or an Intermediate Clinical/Clinician Scientist Fellowship.
• Successful applicants will have multiple impactful first/last author original research papers and substantial grant income throughout their academic career.

Grant overview

• Five years, with the possibility of competitive renewal for up to five years. On renewal it will be expected that the host institution will provide at least 50% of the Fellow’s salary.
• Within the first five years, part of the award may be spent overseas subject to a justified case being made.
• 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 Flexible working policies.

Award may include

• Salary of applicant (up to 10 PAs).
  • Fellows should include justification of clinical sessions with their submitted job plan. The BHF will normally allow up to 2 sessions (2 PAs) to be spent on clinical activity not directly contributing to the proposed research project. The BHF recognise that more clinical sessions may be appropriate to deliver the research, including when the project is highly patient-orientated in nature. Such requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis and will require a clear justification.
• Salary of technician or research assistant if required and fully justified
• Research consumables directly attributable to the project. Consumables will not normally be provided overseas; facilities should be provided by the host department.
• Research equipment essential for the project. Equipment will not be provided overseas; facilities must be provided by the host department.
• Travel funding of up to £500 per year to present research at or attend scientific meetings relevant to the grant

For overseas visits of up to six months:

• Economy class travel expenses for the Fellow only
• A justified subsistence allowance

For overseas visits of more than six months:

• One return economy fare for the Fellow and immediate family
• A reasonable contribution to healthcare insurance (e.g. applicable to USA)
• Housing contribution up to £3,000

How to apply

• Read the information in How to apply
• If you are applying for funding for a clinical study, read:
  • Costing a clinical study
  • Costing a clinical research imaging scan
  • Clinical Trials Units
  • Clinical Study Guidelines
• Log onto the online application form
• Complete all the sections of the online application form
• The application must be completed by the applicant
• Short-listed applicants 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, 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 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.
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. A work plan defining research and clinical PAs

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 applicant including list of publications and academic email address.
• Letters of support(s) from senior investigator(s) named as Fellowship supervisor(s) (if named).
• Letter of support from 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.
• If a second institution or overseas visit is proposed, include a letter of support from a senior investigator 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.

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 Senior Clinical 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 Senior Clinical Research Fellowship.

Decision process

There are no closing dates. Please submit the application when it is ready and allow up to 6 months from submission to decision.

Receipt will be acknowledged within 24 hours and we will advise you when you can expect the result. A decision will be reached by the Fellowships Committee (four meetings a year) after it has considered external peer review reports.

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 for research grants