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Research Training Fellowships for Nurses and Healthcare Professionals

Entry requirements 

  • The named student will normally be a member of one of the following groups of healthcare professionals, who is working in a cardiovascular setting:
    • Nurses
    • Midwives
    • Allied Health Professionals, including clinical psychologists
    • Healthcare Scientists
  • The student should usually hold a good quality Master’s degree or equivalent
  • Get to know some of the BHF-funded researchers here to learn more about their lives, inspirations and research interests
  • The research proposed should usually be related to the improvement of care and outcomes for people with cardiovascular disease. More fundamental/basic science research may be better supported through our other funding schemes. If you have any queries about the suitability of your research for this scheme, please contact us in advance of submitting an application.

Grant duration

  • Usually three years, although applications for longer periods (up to 5 years) will be considered to enable part-time working (see below)

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

Who can apply?

  • The online application form must be completed by an established investigator who will be the supervisor for the named student.
  • The primary supervisor must devote a minimum of 10% of their time to supervising the student and a second supervisor should also be included.
  • Students who have started a PhD (or equivalent) may be eligible to apply for a Research Training Fellowship, but the application must be received within 6 months of having registered for their PhD. In these circumstances, the proposed start date for the Research Training Fellowship should also be no more than 12 months (or full-time equivalent) from the date of registration for the degree.
  • If the fellowship is taken up on a full-time research basis, we recognise that part of the time (ideally no more than 20% though sometimes more if it can be argued that the research directly involves their patients) may be spent on patient care. 
  • 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 about our Flexible working policies.

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. A 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 sides of A4. 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.
  • A statement from the Director of Nursing, AHP lead or equivalent, clearly explaining the type and extent of cardiovascular work (i.e. non-research time) to be undertaken during the Fellowship. If the Fellowship is to be taken up on a full time basis (i.e. a full salary is being requested from the BHF for the Fellow), then this is expected to not normally be more than 20% of the Fellow’s time. If the Fellowship is taken up on a part time basis, non-research time may be up to 50% overall (i.e. at least 50% of the Fellow's time must be spent on the fellowship). See our Flexible working policies for more information.

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 Research Training Fellowships that include research experience with an industry partner (for example, experience of experimental medicine). Please contact contact our office for advice if you are considering applying for a co-funded Research Training Fellowship.

Decision process

  • There are two calls for applications for this scheme every year and the next deadline for applications is the 24th of April 2024. This is the date by which your application must be fully submitted to the BHF after being approved by your co-applicants, Head of Department and Administrative Authority.
  • Receipt will be acknowledged within 24 hours and we will advise you when you can expect the result. A decision on this will be reached by the Fellowships Committee after it has considered external peer review reports. Allow six months from submission to decision.

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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