[British Heart Foundation](https://www.bhf.org.uk)

September 2026 | March 2027

Up to £40,000 over 1–2 years for research costs; typical award is £30,000–£40,000.

Supports early-career clinical lecturers in the UK with research funding and mentoring to launch independent research careers.

This is a forecasted opportunity; dates are projected and subject to change.

--- ## Description This scheme provides start-up research funding for clinical lecturers at the early stages of their independent research careers in the UK. Jointly funded by the British Heart Foundation and other major medical research charities, the grant helps awardees generate preliminary data to strengthen future fellowship or project grant applications. In addition to financial support, recipients gain access to mentoring and professional development through the Academy of Medical Sciences, supporting their progression as independent investigators. --- ## Due Dates - September 2026 (anticipated/projected) - March 2027 (anticipated/projected) *All dates are projected based on the annual cycle; check the program page for updates.* --- ## Funding Amount - Awards of up to £40,000 are available for research costs, typically spread over 1–2 years. - Most awards are in the £30,000–£40,000 range. - Funds may be used for directly incurred research costs (consumables, access charges, data sets, software, equipment, technical support). - Salary costs for the applicant, research assistants, PhD students, or postdocs are not covered. Buying time from existing technical staff is permitted. --- ## Eligibility - Applicants must: - Hold a PhD or research MD. - Hold a medical, dental, or veterinary undergraduate degree. - Be registered with the General Medical Council, General Dental Council, or Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons. - Hold a clinical contract at a UK institution. - For medicine/dentistry: - Must be a research-active Clinical Lecturer with a National Training Number (NTN/NTN(A)), within higher specialty training. - CCT date restrictions apply: for September rounds, CCT cannot be before 1 December; for March rounds, not before 1 June. - Primary Care and Dentistry posts may apply post-CCT; other specialties must not have attained CCT at application. - For veterinary applicants: - Must be a research-active Veterinary Specialist in Training (Resident/Senior Clinical Training Scholar) or a Veterinary Clinician/Pathologist within three years of their first University appointment. - Applicants should not have already obtained substantial research funding (e.g., Clinician Scientist Fellowship, New Investigator Award, or large project grant). - Senior Clinical Lecturers and Clinical Psychologists are not eligible. --- ## Application Process - Applications must be submitted via the [Academy of Medical Sciences Flexi-Grant online system](https://acmedsci.flexigrant.com/). - Two funding rounds per year: anticipated deadlines in March and September. - No interviews; applications are reviewed by Academy Fellows and experts in the field. - Applicants will be notified of outcomes within five months of the submission deadline. - Only unsuccessful applicants may resubmit once; successful applicants cannot reapply. - Discuss your application with supervisors/mentors and secure their approval before submission. - Guidance notes, sample application forms, and FAQs are available on the [Academy’s grant page](https://acmedsci.ac.uk/grants-and-schemes/grant-schemes/starter-grants). --- ## Additional Information - Awardees are eligible for Academy mentoring and professional development opportunities. - Reporting via Researchfish is required annually and for five years post-award. - No-cost extensions may be requested for career breaks or project delays. - Prior career breaks are considered in the review process. - The scheme is intended for those early in their Clinical Lecturer appointment. --- ## External Links - [British Heart Foundation – Grant Information](https://www.bhf.org.uk/for-professionals/information-for-researchers/what-we-fund/starter-grants-for-clinical-lecturers) - [Academy of Medical Sciences – Starter Grants](https://acmedsci.ac.uk/grants-and-schemes/grant-schemes/starter-grants) - [Flexi-Grant Application Portal](https://acmedsci.flexigrant.com/) - [Starter Grants FAQs 2026 (PDF)](https://acmedsci.ac.uk/file-download/sgcl-faq-2026) - [Sample Application Form and Guidance 2026 (PDF)](https://acmedsci.ac.uk/file-download/sgcl-application-form-templateguidance-2026-1) --- ## Contact Information | Name/Role | Email | Phone | More Info | |----------------------------|-----------------------------------------------|---------------|--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | Academy Grants Team | [clinicallecturers@acmedsci.ac.uk](mailto:clinicallecturers@acmedsci.ac.uk) | | [Academy Staff Directory](https://acmedsci.ac.uk/about/our-work/staff-directory/grants) | | David Peters, Senior Grants Officer | [David.Peters@acmedsci.ac.uk](mailto:David.Peters@acmedsci.ac.uk) | | [Bio](https://acmedsci.ac.uk/about/our-work/staff-directory/grants/david-peters) | | Dr Grace Cowen, Senior Grants Officer (UK) | [grace.cowen@acmedsci.ac.uk](mailto:grace.cowen@acmedsci.ac.uk) | 020 3141 3210 | [Bio](https://acmedsci.ac.uk/about/our-work/staff-directory/grants/dr-grace-cowen) | | BHF General Enquiries | [heretohelp@bhf.org.uk](mailto:heretohelp@bhf.org.uk) | 0300 330 3322 | [Contact Page](https://www.bhf.org.uk/contact) |

Starter Grants for Clinical Lecturers

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