Clinical Research Training Fellowships (UK PhD cardiovascular science)

Entry requirements

• Applicants should usually be after Foundation year two, but before award of a CCT.
  • Click here to listen to podcasts organised by the British Junior Cardiologists‘ Association (BJCA) to gain insights from various clinical fellows on their research journey.
  • Get to know some of BHF-funded researchers here to read more about their lives, career inspirations and research interests.
• Residency requirements do not apply
  • Clinical Research Training Fellowship candidates are eligible to apply for accelerated endorsement of the UK Global Talent Visa. More information on the UK Global Talent Visa

Grant duration

• Usually three years to complete a PhD, although applications for two years to complete an MD or equivalent will be considered.

Award may include

• Salary of applicant
• Research consumables directly attributable to the project, usually less than £14,000 per year, but larger amounts will be considered if fully justified
• Tuition fees at standard home student rate (set by the research institution)
• Travel funding of up to £500 per year to present research at or attend scientific meetings relevant to the grant

How to apply

• Read the information in How to apply
• Read our commitment to Improving Support for Clinical Academics
• If you are applying for funding for a clinical study, also 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

Who can apply?

• The online application form must be completed by an established investigator who will be the supervisor and may be for a named student only.
• The primary supervisor must devote a minimum of 10% of their time to supervising the student and a second supervisor should also be included.
• Applicants who have started a PhD (or equivalent) may be eligible to apply for a Clinical Research Training Fellowship, but may only apply within 6 months of having registered for their PhD. In these circumstances, the proposed start date for the Clinical Research Training Fellowship should also be no more than 12 months (or full-time equivalent) from the date of registration for the degree.

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 the 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. List of recent relevant publications from supervisor
12. 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).
13. Statement detailing the scientific techniques in which the candidate will be trained
14. Candidate’s training programme listing skills to be acquired during the grant

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 candidate including list of publications and academic email address

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

The BHF is prepared to consider funding or part-funding Clinical Research Training 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 Clinical Research Training 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.

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