Advanced Training Awards (cross-discipline postdoctoral fellowships in cardiovascular science), United Kingdom

Entry requirements

  • Candidates must be moving into a different field of science (e.g. from cell biology to bioinformatics or entering cardiovascular science from a different discipline)
  • Apply within 1 to 3 years of submitting a PhD
  • Residency requirements no longer apply

Duration of grant

  • 2 or 3 years
  • 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
  • Research consumables directly attributable to the project, usually less than £10,000 per year
  • Travel funding of up to £500 per year to present research at or attend scientific meetings relevant to the grant

How to apply

  • The application must be completed by the proposed Fellow
  • Read the information in How to apply
  • Log onto the online application form
  • Complete all the sections of the online application form
  • A primary supervisor is required, who must devote a minimum of 10% of their time to the project and a second supervisor should also be included

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. Power calculations
  8. Expected value of results
  9. List of references relevant to the proposed project
  10. List of recent relevant publications from supervisor
  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. Statement detailing the scientific techniques in which the student will be trained

Sections 2-8 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
  • Letters of support from senior investigators named as Fellowship supervisors
  • Letter of support from the Head of Department where the Fellowship will be based

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
  • Quotes obtained for any requested equipment with a value of £5,000 or more

Decision process

There are no closing dates.

Please submit the application when it is ready. 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.

Allow 6 months from submission to decision.

Update to process for 2020/2021

Due to the significant reduction in the BHF’s income, our research budget for the current financial year has been restricted to around half of last year’s. Competition for grants will therefore be higher, though we still wish to fund the best applications of whatever type. Criteria for success remain unchanged; including novelty, importance, quality of study design, feasibility and value for money. To make funding decisions each committee will produce a prioritised list of potentially awardable applications and these will be reviewed collectively by the committee chairs and vice chairs each quarter for final award decisions in the light of our available budget. Applicants will be informed of recommendations after the relevant committee meeting, but final decision letters for potentially awardable applications will be delayed by up to three months.

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