Apply for Cohort 5 (Aug 2026 - Aug 2027)
International Applicants

• Communicates effectively with key stakeholders in clinical AI including: hospital management, patients, clinicians, regulatory bodies, and software developers
• Works energetically as a vital member of an agile multidisciplinary team including data scientists, medical physicists, IT, health economists, and clinicians
• Has advanced ICT proficiency (e.g. using advanced functions in Office applications), and the ability to rapidly learn new skills and solve technical problems

• Experience in quality improvement projects, clinical trials
• Experience in digital transformation, clinical informatics (DICOM, HL7, etc)
• Experience in programming, mathematics, statistical analysis

Do I have to know how coding, programming, or AI to be eligible?

No. Prior experience of coding, programming, or AI is not an essential criterion of the Person Specification. Previous fellows have been recruited without such experience.

How competitive is recruitment?

Recruitment for sponsored applicants is not competitive. If an applicant meets the Essential criteria of the Person Specification at interview, they can join the programme.

What is the format of the interview?

Interviews are conducted remotely. The interview consists of questions and problem-solving tasks designed to assess an applicant’s suitability for the fellowship based on the Person Specification. The interview panel consists of fellowship faculty, AI supervisors, and regional education leads.

How should I prepare for the interview?

Interviewees are assessed according to the Essential and Desirable criteria of the role description document. Consider how to show evidence of meeting these criteria with real-world examples, particularly through participation in digital transformation projects in healthcare.

When will the interviews happen?

The interviews are planned for 20-29 January 2026. Applicants proceeding to interview will be sent a link to book their interview slot.

Do I need to have an idea for a clinical AI project when I apply to this fellowship?

No. Projects and hosting teams in the NHS are proposed to the faculty by AI supervisors. Successful applicants are matched to these projects competitively following the interview stage.

How does project matching happen?

Applicants will rank the projects they are eligible to be matched to. The highest scoring applicant from the interview stage in each regional pool will be matched to their highest ranked project. International applicants are entered in the ‘London’ regional pool unless otherwise specified. The next highest scoring applicant is matched to their highest ranked project remaining, etc. until all posts are filled.

What should I do if I only want to do a specific project in the fellowship?

To be matched to a specific project, an applicant should go through the normal application process. There will be an opportunity to rank projects by preference. The applicant should rank only projects they would want to do on the fellowship year. If the applicant scores highly enough in the interview stage, they will be matched to such a project. Otherwise, if there are no projects remaining that the applicant has ranked when it comes to the matching step, they will not have a post on the fellowship.

What if there are no projects that directly align with my clinical specialty or background?

Many fellows work on projects outside their usual specialty area on this fellowship. Clinical AI is still a growing field and clinical specialties are not equally represented in the available projects. The experience from any project will involve significant amounts of transferable knowledge and skills which will equip you to adopt clinical AI in your own career.

Can I do the fellowship at a lower time commitment than 0.4FTE (2 days a week)? No. Having a lower time commitment is not suitable for the learning objectives of the programme. The educational activities and project placements are structured to deliver the learning objectives of the fellowship curriculum based on a 0.4 FTE unbanded working pattern. International applicants are able to do this placement at a higher time commitment than 0.4FTE, your preference is asked for during your application.

Can I compress the fellowship into a shorter and more intensive placement?

No. For the same reasons as above.

What if I go on sick leave, parental leave, or any other extended leave during the fellowship year? This fellowship is a time-bound opportunity that runs for 12 months between the dates specified. The educational activities and project placements hosted by AI supervisors are structured to deliver the learning objectives of the fellowship curriculum within this period. Project supervisors propose projects related to cohort dates and are not required to provide supervision beyond these dates. In general, interrupted time on the fellowship year cannot be added on beyond the end of the fellowship year. Individual situations will be considered on a case-by-case basis at the discretion of the faculty.

Can I defer entry to the fellowship to a future cohort if I apply in this cohort? No. The offer for a fellowship post must be accepted for that cohort’s recruitment cycle. An applicant would newly apply for the following year.

What certification do fellows receive at the end of the fellowship year?

Fellows receive a certificate of completion of the fellowship issued by the faculty. During the course of the year, fellows will also receive certification as Clinical Safety Officers for DCB 0129 and DCB 0160.

Can the faculty help me to identify a suitable sponsor?

No. Due to the high volume of applicants, the faculty is unable to help with such requests.

Can you accommodate a bespoke arrangement through sponsorship?

Potentially yes. Please contact the faculty if you require a bespoke arrangement through sponsorship. Note that last minute requests for bespoke arrangements are difficult to accommodate due to logistics.

I represent the sponsor for a prospective applicant, how do I proceed?

Please read the international sponsor document. Contact the faculty to discuss potential arrangements as early as possible.