Pre-doctoral early career fellowships for respiratory HCPs

The British Thoracic Society (BTS) has joined with Asthma + Lung UK (A+LUK) to fund grants for healthcare professionals who would like to apply for a PhD (or equivalent qualification, e.g. MD) in respiratory-related research, but currently do not have the time, resources, or support needed to develop an application.

This award is open to any healthcare professional, including Allied Healthcare Professionals.

BTS and A+LUK are offering up to £40,000 for up to six months (or pro-rated for longer periods) to support the development of a follow-on funding application. Examples of activities that this grant could support include:

• Developing research ideas and project plans that will lead to an application/s to a National funding body.
• Conducting pilot or feasibility studies to collect initial data to inform an application/s to a National funding body.
• Performing desk research required to evidence for a National funding body application and/or justify unmet patient need.
• Identifying collaborators/mentors to allow the submission of a National funding body application.
• Putting together a robust patient and public involvement approach, as may be required to allow the submission of a research application to a National funding body application.

It’s our hope that these funds help support the next generation of clinical researchers.

Please note:

• Applicants must be committed to applying for follow-on funding upon completion of this grant, which will support their journey towards a PhD or equivalent qualification.
• This follow-on funding application should ideally be made within six months of completing this A+LUK/BTS grant.

Please apply using the Flexi-Grant portal on the A+LUK website.

Closing date for applications: Friday 13 February 2026 at 3pm.