Second round of NHS Scotland Innovation Fellowship Scheme opens

Applications are now open for the second round of the Innovation Fellowship Scheme, following a hugely successful Cohort 1 intake.

Cohort 2 is targeted at early stage innovators working across NHS Scotland, offering the opportunity for clinicians to a higher degree (MD or PhD) early in their career. The scheme is 100 per cent funded and includes university fees.

Applications for Cohort 2 close on November 30, and potential candidates are invited to attend an information session on Tuesday October 25 at 1pm. The session will cover available opportunities and will be recorded for anyone who cannot attend. To register please email InnovationFellowship@gov.scot.

The aim of the Innovation Fellowship Scheme is to strengthen the innovation culture to solve real problems in the NHS and social care, improving the quality, efficiency and sustainability of health and care delivery and supporting NHS Scotland’s Re-mobilise, Recover, Re-design Framework.

Successful candidates for Cohort 2 will be invited to apply for a PhD or MD to carry out a project in one of these three themes:

  1. Innovation in Cancer Pathways
  2. Innovation for Long Term Conditions Optimisation
  3. Innovation for Long Term Conditions Diagnostics

Key themes have been set to align with NHS Scotland national priorities and SHIP (Scottish Heath and Industry Partnership) Signalling Plan, Innovation Fellows will an innovation workstream and must demonstrate a set of values and passion for sharing learning and experiences to benefit more people across NHS Scotland. 

Professor David Lowe, Clinical Director, Scottish Health and Industry Partnership, said: “The Innovation Fellowship Scheme is a great opportunity for NHS staff to accelerate their careers in innovation and Cohort 2 allows those at an earlier stage of their career to enhance their knowledge and skillsets, while working across some of the most exciting innovation projects in Scotland.

“We are delighted with the success of the Cohort 1 intake process and are looking forward to seeing the range of potential Cohort 2 candidates, whose ideas and work will help to strengthen the innovation culture across NHS Scotland.”

The West of Scotland Innovation Hub, which is hosted by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, recently welcomed three new fellows to its team of digital innovation in medicine experts, who were appointed through Cohort 1 of the Scottish Health and Industry Partnership’s (SHIP) Innovation Fellowship Scheme.

Professor Steven Lo, Dr Chris Sainsbury and Dr Ana Talbot officially started their roles with the Hub on Tuesday 11 October.

NHSGGC’s eHealth Innovation Programme Director Neil Warbrick said: “The work of the West of Scotland Innovation Hub is helping to transform services and, following an excellent response from a high calibre of potential candidates and thorough selection process, we are delighted to welcome three fellows with such a range and wealth of skills and experience.

“The Hub team includes research development and innovation staff, eHealth specialists, clinicians and support services, all the team are excited to see how each of the fellows projects develop and how they will ultimately revolutionise the future of patient experience.”

If you are interested in applying for Cohort 2, you can find out more and apply here