The British Heart Foundation’s Clinical Research Training Fellowships fund doctors to complete a PhD, or an MD, in cardiovascular research. They’re aimed at clinicians after Foundation Year 2 and before their CCT who want to build serious research training into their career. The next deadline is 13 January 2027.
The BHF funds research into heart and circulatory diseases, and that remit takes in the vascular side of brain health, including stroke, small vessel disease and vascular dementia.
Who can apply
The application is made by an established investigator who will supervise a named fellow. The primary supervisor must give at least 10% of their time to supervision and hold a post at the host institution for the whole fellowship, and a second supervisor should be named too. Residency requirements don’t apply, and international candidates may be able to use the accelerated endorsement route for the UK Global Talent visa.
If you’ve already started your PhD, you can still apply, but only within six months of registering, and with a start date no more than 12 months (full-time equivalent) after registration.
What it covers
Fellowships usually run for three years for a PhD, though two-year applications for an MD or equivalent are considered. The award can include:
- Your salary.
- Research consumables directly linked to the project, usually under £18,000 a year.
- Tuition fees at the standard home rate (excluding college fees), subject to a cap.
- Up to £3,000 over the award for travel to present at or attend scientific meetings.
The BHF will also consider part-funding schemes that include time with an industry partner, such as experimental medicine. Contact the office first if that’s what you have in mind.
Deadlines and decisions
The next deadline is 13 January 2027 at 17:00, by which point the application must be fully submitted after sign-off from your Head of Department and Administrative Authority, so build in time for that. Miss it and your application rolls over to the following round, which closes on 16 June 2027. Decisions are made by the Clinical Fellowships Committee after external peer review.
How to apply
Applications go through the BHF’s online system at researchgrants.bhf.org.uk. The case for support is a single PDF in Arial 12, and the BHF rejects applications in any other font size before they’re considered, so check the formatting rules in the scheme guidance carefully. The case for support needs a training programme and a statement on the techniques you’ll learn, as well as the usual science. Our guide to securing your first research fellowship is a good place to start if you’re weighing up your first fellowship.
Read the full details and apply
Visit funding web page
(https://www.bhf.org.uk/for-professionals/information-for-researchers/what-we-fund/clinical-research-training-fellowships)