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The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) is launching the new Fellows and Scholars programme, aimed at providing more chances for NHS public health and clinical professionals in England to work with NICE.

The new programme will create opportunities for NHS staff to undertake projects and work with the Institute to improve the quality of care within their local health communities. A wide range of staff, including public health and allied health professionals, doctors, nurses, and health service managers, are encouraged to apply.

Professor Peter Littlejohns, Clinical and Public Health Director at NICE said: "Frontline staff make a huge contribution to developing NICE guidance, and the report ‘High Quality Care for All’ recognised the value staff place on opportunities to work with NICE.  We have therefore expanded those chances by establishing the new Fellows and Scholars programme. Aimed at staff who are both leaders in their field and at the start of their careers, we hope to further use their invaluable expertise, experience and skills and present them with more  chances to work with us.

“This new programme will not only be a mark of professional distinction, but it will also foster a growing network of dedicated and influential individuals across the NHS that will support the implementation of clinically and cost effective practice. We therefore welcome applications from all health professionals who are committed to driving up the quality of care in the NHS."

NICE will award ten fellowships this year to senior health professionals who will  act as ambassadors for the Institute within their local health and professional communities. They will also have the opportunity to become involved in a range of other activities such as clinical audit, education and policy development. Fellowships will run for fixed term periods of three years.

NICE will also award ten scholarships to promising health professionals in their final or penultimate years of training. NICE Scholars will be required to undertake research-orientated projects, as agreed by their local postgraduate deaneries or training supervisors. Scholarships will last for fixed term periods of twelve months.

Health professionals have until 31 December 2009 to submit their applications. NICE will then appoint its Fellows and Scholars in spring 2010.