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 following guidance documents and supporting information which can be found on the Foundation Programme page.
- Application Timeline
- Applicant Handbook
- How to apply to the Foundation Programme guidance
- Applicant Guide to the Pre-allocation process (if applicable)
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
100 x FPP posts are available for UKFP 2024. Details can be found on the East of England website.
Numbers TBC for 2025
Kent, Surrey and Sussex
8 x FPP posts are available for UKFP 2024. Details can be found on the Kent, Surrey and Sussex website
Numbers TBC for 2025
Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland (LNR)
33 x FPPs posts are available for UKFP 2024. Details can be found on the Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland (LNR) website.
Numbers TBC for 2025
Northern
49 x FPP posts are available for UKFP 2024. Details can be found on the Northern website.
Numbers TBC for 2025
North West
1 x FPP posts is available for UKFP 2024. Details can be found on the North West website.
Numbers TBC for 2025
Peninsula
10 x FPP posts are available for UKFP 2024. Details can be found on the Peninsula website.
Numbers TBC for 2025
Scotland
63 x FPP posts are available for UKFP 2024. Details can be found on the Scotland website.
Numbers TBC for 2025
Severn
3 x FPP posts are available for UKFP 2024. Details can be found on the Severn website.
Numbers TBC for 2025
West Midlands North
9 x FPP posts are available for UKFP 2024. Details can be found on the West Midlands North website.
Numbers TBC for 2025
West Midlands South
9 x FPP posts are available for UKFP 2024. Details can be found on the West Midlands South website.
Numbers TBC for 2025
Wales
18 x FPP posts are available for UKFP 2024. Details can be found on the Wales website.
Numbers TBC for 2025
Wessex
1 x FPP post is available for UKFP 2024. Details can be found on the Wessex website.
Numbers TBC for 2025
Yorkshire and Humber
37 x FPP posts are available for UKFP 2024. Details can be found on the Yorkshire and Humber website.
Numbers TBC for 2025
The following foundation schools DO NOT offer priority programmes:
- London
- Northern Ireland
- Oxford
- West Midlands Central
Still have questions? See our FPP FAQ