Completing an application

Applications must be based on current personal circumstances and cannot be based on expected or anticipated future events. This includes applications based solely on pregnancy.

It is only possible to submit one application and apply under one criterion. Applicants who believe they meet more than one of the criteria should discuss their circumstances with their foundation school before applying.  

Applicants who select the wrong criterion for their IFST application may have their application rejected for this reason.

All applications must be submitted on the 2026 IFST application form. Application forms from previous years will not be accepted and the application will be rejected by the national review panel.

All sections of the relevant 2026 application form must be completed by the applicant. Alternative formats will not be accepted.

Applicants can only list one “receiving” foundation school, and this is the foundation school where an approved application will be sent. Where two or more appropriate foundation schools have adjoining geographical borders, and either of them would be suitable to meet the applicant’s needs, it will be up to those foundation schools to discuss and advise the applicant which is the most appropriate.

It is expected that all evidence and supporting documentation for an applicant is recent and therefore evidences the recent change in circumstances.

All supporting statements and documents therefore must be dated or issued as below. Any supporting evidence that has been provided which is dated earlier than these dates will not be accepted by the IFST review panel.

Applicants who have not yet begun the foundation programme (incoming F1 doctors)
Evidence, statements, proof of address and signatures must be dated after the close of the application period for the foundation programme. This means that the document must be dated or issued on or after 09 October 2025 for FP 2026.

Current foundation doctors (either in F1 or F2)
Evidence, statements, proof of address and signatures must be dated after commencement of the foundation programme.

The national IFST review panel will not contact applicants or supporting signatories for additional information. The application process requires that this is all submitted by the national application deadline.

The supporting statement section of the application form should be completed and signed by the supporting signatory.

If an applicant needs to submit a letter or other document from their supporting signatory instead of them completing the Part 2 of the application form, this is permitted, however, the letter/document provided MUST include all the information that is requested in the UKFPO application form. 

If mandatory information is not provided in the letter/document the application may be rejected by the panel.

The applicant’s home address which they provide on their application form must be in the region of the foundation school they have applied to transfer to and must match the applicant’s proof of address which is provided as supporting evidence.
 
Guidance and a list of acceptable documents for proof of address can be found on the the Proof of Address webpage.

All IFST applications require the current Foundation School Director (FSD) to complete and sign Part 3 of the application form. The FSD can also choose to provide other information in a comments box provided if they wish to.

Applicants should note that completion of this section by the FSD does not mean that the IFST application has been approved. The national IFST review panel is responsible for agreeing on the outcomes of all IFST applications received during the national submission window.

The maximum permitted number of characters that can be entered into different parts of the application forms are listed in each section of the form. This includes spaces between words. The national panel will only accept and review the character limits listed.