FPPs have been developed to support specific areas of the UK that have historically found it difficult to attract and retain doctors through the foundation and specialty recruitment processes. The main aim is to maximise the opportunity for applicants who wish to be in less popular areas and therefore improve supply for specialty training and beyond. Many FPPs are specifically designed to attract and retain doctors in remote, rural and coastal geographies, under-doctored geographies and shortage specialties, and offer a range of incentives.
Preliminary analysis shows that FPPs do help in recruiting to areas of the UK that have traditionally seen low fill rates; further analysis and subsequent refinement of offerings will take place in due course.
Applicants are required to visit individual foundation school websites to view information about the FPP programmes that are available in each region.
How to apply for FPP
All applicants interested in applying for Foundation Priority Programmes (FPPs) must apply for the main Foundation Programme (FP). They can then choose to apply for Foundation Priority Programmes in addition to the main Foundation Programme.
Applicants should refer to the guidance which can be found on the Foundation Programme pages and the How to Apply page.
FPP applicants rank individual priority programmes once they submit their application form and before national allocation to FP. Offers to specific FPPs will be made before national allocation to foundation schools.
Programmes summary
FPPs offer a range of opportunities such as:
- Leadership and management programmes
- Medical education, teaching or simulation opportunities
- Academic/research experience (not SFP posts)
- Digital Health and Entrepreneurship opportunities
- Additional qualifications e.g. Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert)
- Quality improvement projects or teaching roles
- Financial Incentives
- Experience in remote and rural areas
- Support with accommodation and innovative rotas
- FPPs that specifically support/are tailored to less than full-time training
- Generalism/Enhance programmes
- Longitudinal integrated foundation training (LIFT)
- Longer programmes (up to three years) that provide opportunities to undertake additional training or train more flexibly and provide geographic stability for those that desire it.
- Enhanced exposure to certain specialties e.g. General Practice, Intensive Care, Stroke Medicine, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Oral and Maxillo-facial Surgery, Paediatrics, Pathology, Pre-hospital Care, Psychiatry, Respiratory Medicine
Foundation schools offering FPP programmes
Applicants should visit local foundation school websites for details of individual priority programmes including information about the incentives offered and the employing organisations.
The following foundation schools offer priority programmes:
East of England
91 x FPP posts are available for UKFP 2025. Details can be found on the East of England website.
Kent, Surrey and Sussex
30 x FPP posts are available for UKFP 2025. Details can be found on the Kent, Surrey and Sussex website.
Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland (LNR)
33 x FPP posts are available for UKFP 2025. Details can be found on the Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland (LNR) website.
Trent
6 x FPP posts are available for UKFP 2025. Details can be found on the Trent website.
Northern
61 x FPP posts are available for UKFP 2025. Details can be found on the Northern website.
North West
1 x FPP posts is available for UKFP 2025. Details can be found on the North West website.
Peninsula
10 x FPP posts are available for UKFP 2025. Details can be found on the Peninsula website.
Scotland
111 x FPP posts are available for UKFP 2025. Details can be found on the Scotland website.
Severn
5 x FPP posts are available for UKFP 2025. Details can be found on the Severn website.
West Midlands North
6 x FPP posts are available for UKFP 2025. Details can be found on the West Midlands North website.
West Midlands South
12 x FPP posts are available for UKFP 2025. Details can be found on the West Midlands South website.
Wales
9 x FPP posts are available for UKFP 2025. Details can be found on the Wales website.
Wessex
25 x FPP posts are available for UKFP 2025. Details can be found on the Wessex website.
Yorkshire and Humber
25 x FPP posts are available for UKFP 2025. Details can be found on the Yorkshire and Humber website.
The following foundation schools DO NOT offer priority programmes:
- London
- Northern Ireland
- Oxford
- West Midlands Central
Still have questions? See our FPP FAQ