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What is the Visiting Fellowship Scheme?

This is an annual scheme which offers short paediatric and neonatal clinical observation placements to doctors and nurses from low-resource settings within the UK National Health Service (NHS).

Since 1994, Members of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health (formerly the British Paediatric Association) have contributed to a fund for Visiting Fellowships for paediatricians from other countries. Applications are also open to nurses working on the field of Paediatrics or Neonatology.

Each year RCPCH members are encouraged to stimulate applications from eligible candidates and to assist by arranging a clinical attachment where this is appropriate.

The Fellowships, based in the UK, will last for five weeks from 24 March to 26 April 2025. Successful Visiting Fellows are invited to attend RCPCH Conference and exhibition alongside their clinical placement.

Types of fellowships

The Ashok Nathwani Visiting Fellowship was established in 2001 and supports one Fellowship to be awarded every year in memory of Dr Ashok Nathwani, Fellow of the College, who was killed in the Indian earthquake in January 2001.

The Donald Court Travel Fund was established in 1996. It is administered jointly by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health and BACCH (British Association for Community Child Health). It supports one Fellowship to be awarded every year in memory of Professor Donald Court, former President of the British Paediatric Association.

The David Baum Visiting Fellowship was established in 2015 and supports one fellowship to be awarded every year in memory of Professor David Baum, former president of the RCPCH, who died in a cycling accident whilst raising money for the wellbeing of children in the war-torn Balkans.

Judging criteria

We will wish to make awards to the most suitable applicants who will be able to use their award to their own maximum benefit and, to an extent, to the benefit of the College’s international work. If no suitable applicant can be identified then the award may not be made in any given year.

The judging panel will take into consideration the following criteria:

• Paediatricians who have reached the equivalent of a consultant post, but will be in the early to mid-years of their career
• Nurses with at least three years of relevant experience in Paediatrics or Neonatology
• Generally, applicants not otherwise likely to be able to visit the UK
• Quality of proposal with a concise summary of their interests and needs
• Plan for use of the Fellowship on their return home

The judging panel will be mindful of the requirements for:

• No concurrent awards or scholarships
• No other application for a College Fellowship that year (a successful application for different RCPCH Fellowship in a previous year does not preclude an award, but may mitigate against any further award)
• Letters of support from the candidate's head of department - essential
• Language - All applicants must be able to speak good conversational English (IELTS: Overall grade 6 with minimum of 5.5 in each subtest).  

Applications are currently open! Please find link to webform below. Application deadline: 12pm (GMT) 10th November

Visiting Fellows application form | RCPCH