The David Thompson Fellowship 2027 offers up to £35,000 for urology trainees and early-career consultants living and working in the UK or Republic of Ireland to undertake overseas clinical training, research and professional development.
The David Thompson Fellowship 2027 is a specialist professional development opportunity offered by The Urology Foundation to support outstanding urology trainees and early-career consultants. The fellowship provides funding of up to £35,000 for successful applicants to spend up to one year at one or two centres of excellence abroad, gaining advanced clinical experience, undertaking research and developing expertise relevant to their urological careers.
The programme is designed not only to strengthen individual careers but also to promote knowledge transfer and collaboration. Fellows are expected to bring the experience gained abroad back to the UK or Republic of Ireland (ROI) and share best practice with colleagues and the wider urology community.
The David Thompson Fellowship aims to enhance urological training, education, knowledge transfer and collaboration while supporting the development of future surgical leaders.
Named in honour of David Thompson, the fellowship allows successful candidates to undertake further study, research or clinical training at recognised centres of excellence outside their home setting.
The programme can support a period of up to one year and is particularly relevant to urologists seeking to develop specialist expertise, strengthen research skills or gain exposure to best practices that can subsequently be applied in their own institutions.
The fellowship also has a strong knowledge-sharing component. Successful fellows act as ambassadors by promoting best practice and sharing knowledge with their team, hospital and wider urology community.
David Thompson Fellowship 2027 Funding
The fellowship provides up to £35,000 per successful applicant.
The funding is intended to support expenses associated with an overseas training or research placement, including:
- Travel abroad
- Relocation and living costs
- Research expenses
- Publication costs
- Further study or clinical training relevant to the applicant’s current interests
An important condition is that salary is not included in the award.
Applicants should therefore prepare a realistic budget showing the expected costs of their proposed period abroad and explain why funding is required.
The award can be used to visit one or two centres for a maximum period of one year.
Who Can Apply?
The David Thompson Fellowship is aimed at trainees and early-career consultants living and working in the UK or Republic of Ireland.
Applicants must fall into one of the following categories:
Specialist Urology Registrars
Applicants should be at an advanced stage of specialist urological training, such as ST4 or above, at the time of application.
Academic Clinical Fellows
Academic Clinical Fellows at an advanced stage of urological training are eligible to apply.
Recently Completed Surgical Trainees
Applicants who completed surgical training within five years of the application date may also be considered.
In addition, applicants must demonstrate an intention to return to work in the UK or Republic of Ireland after the fellowship.
This return requirement is an important part of the programme because the fellowship is intended to facilitate skills and knowledge transfer back into the applicant’s professional environment.
What Can the Fellowship Fund?
The David Thompson Fellowship is intended to support professional development through an overseas placement.
Applicants can propose activities involving:
Clinical Training
The fellowship may support time at an international centre of excellence to gain advanced experience and exposure to specialist urological practice.
Research
Applicants can use the fellowship period to contribute to research aligned with their current area of interest and career objectives.
Further Study
The award may also support structured learning or other educational activities relevant to the applicant’s specialist interests.
The proposed programme should be clearly connected to the applicant’s current clinical or research interests and future career plans.
Fellowship Duration and Timing
The award is intended for fellowships that are due to start within 12 months of receipt of the award.
Although the fellowship itself can support a period of up to one year, the overall fellowship proposal must be completed within a maximum 24-month timeframe.
Applicants therefore need to plan their proposed placement carefully and provide a realistic timetable for the activities they intend to undertake.
Documents Required
Applicants must submit a completed fellowship application form together with the supporting documentation requested by The Urology Foundation.
The application requires information covering the candidate’s professional background, proposed programme and financial requirements.
Applicants should prepare:
- A statement of current clinical and research interests
- Career objectives
- A detailed proposal explaining how the time abroad will be used
- Details of the proposed host centre or centres
- A detailed analysis of expected costs
- A statement explaining the need for funding
- Names and contact details of two referees
- Confirmation that the employing authority will provide study leave if the application is successful
The application must also include a curriculum vitae and supporting statements from the proposed host centre or centres.
Employer Approval and Study Leave
Applicants should address institutional approval early in the process.
The application requires confirmation that the applicant’s employing authority will grant study leave if the fellowship is awarded.
This means candidates should discuss the proposed fellowship with their employer before submitting an application and make sure the required approval can be obtained.
Securing appropriate host-centre documentation is also important because the application should demonstrate that the proposed placement is feasible and professionally relevant.
How to Apply for the David Thompson Fellowship
Applications are submitted to The Urology Foundation by email.
Candidates should first complete the official application form and gather all supporting documents.
The application package should include:
- Completed application form
- Curriculum vitae
- Supporting statement or statements from the proposed host centre or centres
- Confirmation of study leave from the employing authority
- Required referee details and other information requested in the application
The completed application should be sent to:
grants@theurologyfoundation.org
Applicants are encouraged to ensure that all required declarations, approvals and supporting materials are completed before the deadline.
Application Deadline
The deadline for the David Thompson Fellowship is:
30 September at 23:59
Applicants should submit their materials before the stated closing time.
The Urology Foundation indicates that shortlisted candidates will be invited to an interview, with interviews expected to take place around late October or early November, although the precise date is to be confirmed.
Selection Process
Applications are first checked to establish whether applicants meet the eligibility requirements.
Eligible applications are then subject to peer review by The Urology Foundation’s Scientific & Education Committee (SEC) and external reviewers.
Shortlisted candidates are invited to interview.
The selection process considers the quality and relevance of the proposed fellowship, the applicant’s professional and research interests, and the contribution the proposed placement can make to future career development.
Successful applicants are notified by email, and feedback is provided to applicants.
All awards are made subject to The Urology Foundation’s standard grant terms and conditions.
What Makes a Strong Application?
A competitive application should clearly connect the proposed overseas experience to the applicant’s career trajectory.
Rather than simply describing the destination institution, candidates should explain what they intend to learn, how the experience will advance their clinical or research interests and how the knowledge gained will benefit colleagues and patients after they return.
The proposed programme should also be practical and specific. A clear explanation of the activities, host institution, expected outcomes, timeframe and budget can help demonstrate that the fellowship has been carefully planned.
The Foundation also expects fellows to become ambassadors for best practice, so applicants should explain how they intend to share knowledge gained during the placement with their teams and wider professional community.
Reporting Requirements
Recipients have ongoing responsibilities after completing the fellowship.
At the end of the fellowship, successful candidates are expected to:
- Provide a full report on completion of the fellowship
- Acknowledge The Urology Foundation’s support in publications arising from the fellowship
- Provide the Foundation with copies of relevant papers when published
Awardees may also be required to present a report about their fellowship at an appropriate BAUS educational meeting.
These requirements reinforce the fellowship’s emphasis on knowledge transfer and professional development beyond the individual awardee.
Why the Fellowship Is Important for Urology Professionals
Specialist clinical training and international research exposure can provide valuable opportunities for early-career urologists to learn from different healthcare environments and centres of excellence.
The David Thompson Fellowship is structured around this principle. It supports candidates in gaining experience abroad while maintaining a clear expectation that the knowledge and skills acquired will ultimately benefit the urology community in the UK or Republic of Ireland.
For professionals developing a specialist clinical or academic career, the combination of international exposure, research opportunity and structured knowledge transfer can make the fellowship particularly valuable.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is the David Thompson Fellowship worth?
The annual fellowship provides funding of up to £35,000.
Who is eligible for the fellowship?
Eligible applicants include advanced-stage Specialist Urology Registrars, Academic Clinical Fellows at an advanced stage of training, and doctors who completed surgical training within five years of applying.
Can international applicants apply?
The criteria provided specify that applicants must be living and working in the UK or Republic of Ireland. The fellowship also requires an intention to return to work in the UK or ROI.
Can the funding cover salary?
No. The award is intended for travel, relocation and living costs, research and publication expenses and relevant study or clinical training. Salary is not included.
How long can the fellowship last?
The fellowship can support a period of up to one year at one or two centres.
When must the fellowship begin?
The proposed fellowship should start within 12 months of receipt of the award.
Is there a requirement to return after the fellowship?
Yes. Applicants must demonstrate their intention to return to work in the UK or Republic of Ireland.
What is the application deadline?
Applications must be submitted by 23:59 on 30 September.
Where should applications be sent?
Completed applications and supporting documents should be sent to grants@theurologyfoundation.org.
Conclusion
The David Thompson Fellowship 2027 provides a substantial professional development opportunity for eligible urology trainees and early-career consultants in the UK and Republic of Ireland.
With funding of up to £35,000, the fellowship can support up to one year of international clinical training, research or further study at one or two centres of excellence. The programme places particular emphasis on strengthening urological expertise while ensuring that fellows return and share the knowledge gained with their teams and the wider urology community.
Candidates considering applying should begin preparing early, particularly around identifying suitable host centres, developing a detailed programme of activities, preparing a realistic budget and obtaining employer approval for study leave.
For the most accurate and current application information, candidates should consult The Urology Foundation’s official David Thompson Fellowship guidance and application materials before submitting an application.
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