The British Heart Foundation’s Clinical Future Leaders Fellowship offers long-term support for clinical researchers making the step to independence, leading their own projects and building their own team. It runs for up to seven years, which is unusually long, and 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
You’ll need a PhD or MD/MDRes, at least two years of completed specialist training, and evidence of exceptional research ability and clear steps towards independence. Candidates are usually no more than two years past CCT. If you’re applying before CCT and plan to spend significant time on clinical training, contact the BHF first. People returning after a career break of more than six months are eligible, as are international applicants moving to the UK through the Global Talent visa route.
What it covers
The fellowship runs for up to seven years with no extension, or part-time at no less than 0.5 FTE. It covers:
- Your salary on a 10 PA job plan (up to 12 in exceptional cases), including at least one clinical SPA.
- An associated post, such as a postdoc or technician, if justified.
- Consumables and essential equipment.
- A discretionary fund and a travel fund of up to £7,000 each, and up to £1,400 towards caring costs.
- Support for overseas visits of more than six months, including travel for your family and a housing contribution.
There’s a progress review at the end of year four, and the host institution must formally commit to a tenured post or equivalent at that point.
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. Shortlisted candidates are interviewed, and the Clinical Fellowships Committee decides after external review.
How to apply
The BHF encourages an informal discussion first. Email fellowships@bhf.org.uk with a two-page CV, a one-page project description and an estimated cost. 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. Pre-CCT applicants need a timeline for finishing clinical training; post-CCT applicants need a proposed job plan. If you get to the review stage, our guide on how to respond to peer reviewers is worth a read.
Read the full details and apply
Visit funding web page
(https://www.bhf.org.uk/for-professionals/information-for-researchers/what-we-fund/clinical-future-leader-fellowship)