Fellowships, scholarships & placements

Open to NCHDs who have completed basic specialty training (or equivalent) and are entering higher specialist training (HST), this programme is a unique, all-island, cross-institutional PhD programme for clinician scientists in human, veterinary, and dental medicine. This training is integrated with the health services and university clinical research centres and provides an integrated pathway for clinical academic training. ICAT provides clinical academic training to excellent postgraduate clinical trainees through a programme which integrates PhD research training with higher specialist training (HST).

Open to NCHDs who have completed higher specialist training (HST), Aspire fellowships provide opportunities for doctors who have completed specialist training in Ireland to access high-quality training in a specialised area of clinical care in Ireland. This will appeal to trainees who do not wish, or are unable, to travel abroad for fellowship training, but want to acquire additional training or experience not available on their higher specialist training programme. This exposes postgraduates to subspecialties and advanced clinical skills. There a number of post-CSCST fellowships advertised annually across a number of specialties.

A Lead NCHD represents their NCHD colleagues at an executive level within their organisation. The role allows NCHDs to have their voice heard at the highest levels of their local healthcare facility and to gain valuable experience in healthcare management.

The Lead NCHD programme was piloted in 2013 following a recommendation of the MacCraith Report. Since inception it has grown in scale and Lead NCHDs are now present across most acute hospital sites and community healthcare organisations. Over 700 Lead NCHDs have been appointed over the last 12 years

Lead NCHDs are appointed locally through medical manpower. The Lead NCHDs are supported by the National Lead NCHD Fellow(s), as well as Local and Regional Directors of Postgraduate Medical Education & Training. They are also expected to engage regularly with their local Clinical Director and Medical Manpower Department, and to participate in key meetings where issues relating to NCHDs in their site are addressed.

Lead NCHDs also organise and chair a local NCHD Committee, with representatives from diverse sectors of their NCHD cohort. This enables them to keep abreast of issues that NCHDs are facing in their local site and permits two-way communication between hospital management and NCHDs.

Lead NCHDs are provided with an additional top-up to current educational bursary to support their education in leadership and healthcare management. Lead NCHDs are expected to conduct a quality improvement (QI) project within their tenure as Lead NCHD. Further training in QI principles is provided through workshops and webinars organised by the National Lead NCHDs.

In alignment with the regionalisation of the HSE, and development of the Regional Offices of Postgraduate Medical Education & Training, the role of Regional Lead NCHD was established in 2025. The Regional Lead NCHD is a senior representative role designed to support and advocate for NCHDs across a defined hospital region. Six Regional Lead NCHDs representing WNW, MW, SW, DNE, DML and DSE have been appointed for 2025-2026. These Regional Lead NCHDs are supported by Group Leads for CHI, GP, Public Health and Mental Health Services. This role strengthens the connection between doctors, postgraduate education, and health service leadership. It focuses on improving NCHD working conditions, educational environments, retention, and professional development, while also supporting leadership and academic progression for the post-holder.

Further information on the Lead NCHD programme is provided in the Lead NCHD handbook.

Lead NCHD Application Process

If you are interested in leadership and keen to gain more experience in management, a Lead NCHD role could be for you!

Lead NCHDs are usually appointed for a 12-month term.

Benefits include:
• Develop, and improve, their leadership, management and communication skills.
• Networking opportunities with National Lead NCHDs, NDTP National Clinical Lead, NDTP Medical Director, Local and Regional Directors of Postgraduate Medical Education & Training, and Clinical Directors.
• Active voice for NCHDs at site or regional level.
• Access to additional €2,500 educational bursary.
• Access to Lead NCHD workshops.

If you are interested in becoming a Site Lead NCHD in July 2026, contact your local medical manpower department to register your interest now. Keep an eye out for recruitment updates on the NDTP and National Lead NCHD social media channels, and the monthly National Lead NCHD bulletin.

The National Lead NCHD Fellowship was established in 2016 to ensure that the voices of NCHDs are clearly represented at national level within the Health Service Executive.  Working with NDTP, the National Lead NCHD ensures that the experiences, interests, and perspectives of NCHDs are represented and directly involved with strategic decision making across the Irish health service.

The National Lead NCHD role is a 12-month fellowship.  The fellowship presents an exciting opportunity to develop leadership and managerial skills, while playing a leading role in this national initiative that supports NCHDs to make positive change to healthcare environments.

What are the core responsibilities of the National Lead NCHD?

During their tenure, the National Lead NCHD oversees several key functions:

1. Co-Ordination & Leadership

• Co-ordinate recruitment of Site Lead NCHDs.
• Co-ordinate election of Regional & Group Lead NCHDs.
• Update and provide a Site Lead NCHD Handbook.
• Support Site and Regional Lead NCHDs in their role through regular update meetings.

2. Education & Development

• Organise and deliver Lead NCHD skills workshops
• Develop and implement a communication strategy to keep NCHDs informed of relevant issues.
• Complete a quality improvement project with the Lead NCHD programme.

3. Engagement & Visibility

• Conduct site visits to clinical sites with Lead NCHDs in order to showcase their positive contribution to NCHD wellbeing, clinical care and highlight areas for improvement.

4. National Representation

A major aspect of the role involves representing the NCHD perspective on national committees including:

• Medical Council Education & Training Committee.
• Forum of Postgraduate Training Bodies Trainees’ Committee.
• NDTP Senior Management Team.
• Regional Directors of Postgraduate Education & Training.
• Medical Intern Board.
• National e-Health Library Roadmap Working Group.
• HSE Open Disclosure Steering Group.
• HSE Clinical Governance Framework Education, Training & Research Focus Group.

This representation ensures that NCHD clinical insight and frontline experience directly shape policies affecting NCHD working and training experiences across the health service.

How do I apply to be National Lead NCHD?

Recruitment for the 2026-2027 National Lead NCHD Fellowship has now closed.

Previous experience as a Site or Regional Lead NCHD is desirable, although not essential, for applicants interested in the role in future.

Open to NCHDs who have completed medical internship, the Spark Innovation Programme encourages and empowers healthcare workers to develop and implement new ideas with the potential to improve the services in which they work.

Spark was established by NDTP to encourage and support innovation. The programme includes NCHDs, consultants, nurses, midwives, and health and social care professionals. It is supported by the Office of the Nursing and Midwifery Services Director (ONMSD) and the National Health and Social Care Professions Office (NHSCPO).