Want to see how funding decisions really get made? The British Heart Foundation (BHF) is inviting expressions of interest from researchers who’d like to become join its pool of independent expert reviewers, or sit on one of its five research funding committees. There’s no closing date, so you can put yourself forward whenever you’re ready.
The BHF is one of the UK’s biggest funders of research into heart and circulatory diseases, and that brief reaches well into brain health, from stroke and small vessel disease to vascular dementia. If your work sits anywhere near that overlap, your expertise is relevant.
Why it’s worth doing
Reviewing grants is one of the best ways to get better at writing them. You see what a strong application looks like, how a weak one falls down, and what a panel actually argues about when the money is tight. You’ll also hear about a broad range of new cardiovascular research long before most of it reaches a journal. For a taste of what goes on in the room, read our blog Getting a Grant Funded: A View from the Panel.
The two roles
Independent expert reviewer
Reviewers are invited to assess applications when their expertise matches what’s come in. You’ll review against the BHF’s independent expert review guidelines, and it’s a sensible first step if you haven’t reviewed for a funder before. If you’re new to reviewing generally, our guide on how to peer review a paper covers the basics.
Funding committee member
Committee members have usually reviewed for the BHF first. Appointments run for three years, with the option of a further year. Depending on the committee, you’ll commit to two to four committee days a year (running 10am to 4pm, plus preparation time), and you may be asked to join an interview panel. When appointing, the BHF also weighs up the existing skill mix on the committee, gender, geographic location and under-represented groups. You can see the five funding committees on the BHF website.
How to apply
Both routes go by email to fundingreviewerEOI@bhf.org.uk.
To become a reviewer, use the subject line Reviewer EOI and send:
- A two-page CV, including any reviewing or committee experience, and your funding and publication track record.
- Up to 10 keywords or phrases describing your expertise. The BHF’s research classification list will help you choose them.
- A short statement (200 to 300 words) on why you want to do it.
To join a committee, use the subject line Committee member EOI and send:
- A two-page CV, as above.
- Up to 10 keywords or phrases describing your expertise.
- Which of the five committees you’d like to join, and why (200 to 300 words).
The BHF will acknowledge your email and keep your details on file until a suitable opportunity comes up. Questions about either role can go to the same address.
The Alzheimer’s Association and the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation are also looking for reviewers and committee members, so if you’d like to build up your experience, see Become a Grant Reviewer for the Alzheimer’s Association and Join the My Name’5 Doddie Foundation Research Committees.
Open now: no closing date
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