Apply for NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme

The Clinical Entrepreneur Programme is an educational workforce development programme designed for NHS staff who want to develop and scale their most innovative ideas for patient benefit. The programme was launched in 2016 and we have already recruited over 500 individuals including Doctors, Dentists and Healthcare Scientists, Nurses and Midwives, Allied Health Professionals and Pharmacists from a range of diverse backgrounds. Places on this prestigious programme will be offered, through a competitive process, to applicants who have developed clinical innovations to improve patient care and support service redesign through commercial and non-commercial enterprises.

The programme will be managed jointly by NHS England and Improvement and a delivery partner, and has been developed with entrepreneurial clinicians, academic leaders and industry partners. The curriculum covers all aspects of setting up and running a small business, including attractic investors, applying for funding, and ensuring appropriate corporate governance. Support on the programme includes:

  • Mentoring and coaching - from an acclaimed international faculty including commercial and public sector, financial, clinical, academic, and managerial leaders and achievers.
  • Access to a series of educational 'pit stops' offering bespoke practical sessions on a range of key commercial topics.
  • Customer matching - establishing relationships with providers/customers to deliver pre-commercial procurement opportunities.
  • Possible entrepreneurial placements/internships - with industry, charities, social enterprises and public sector organisations with both partner-funded and self-funding options.

If you are an innovator in the NHS, we strongly encourage you to apply for this exceptional opportunity. We will be holding webinars with the opportunity for Q&A from potential applicants. For more information on the programme, dates and links for the Q&A webinars, and a link to the application portal, please use the button below

More about Clinical Entrepreneur Training Programme

Although the recruitment process for Year 5 of the Clinical Entrepreneur Programme was temporarily suspended due to COVID-19 pandemic, we are now running an accelerated recruitment process. The deadline for applications is 1pm on Tuesday 13th October. During this time of social distancing, NHS will also be conducting their entire recruitment process online. They hope this new way of applying to the programme will not only be safer but will allow them to review application in a more thorough and equal way. The programme is due to commence in early 2021.

The application form will consist of a variety of written questions, with the opportunity for applicants to answer some of the questions via a pre-recorded video, including a 1-minute 'elevator pitch' to introduce and describe your innovation. Applicants must also include a CV and two references focusing on your entrepreneurial activity (for trainees; one of these needs to be a supporting letter from your own Training Lead).

For any further queries do not hesitate to contact the Innovation Team at [email protected]