Foundation Priority Programmes

Non-urgent advice: Important update about 2026 Foundation Priority Programmes (FPP)

The separate recruitment process for 2026 Foundation Priority Programmes will no longer take place.  This is due to the timing of the introduction of the proposed Medical Training (Prioritisation) Bill which has just been announced.  

This means that the FPP offers which were due on 21,26,28 January 2026 and 02 February 2026 will not take place.

FPP programmes will be added into the main FP allocation process and vacancy on Oriel and applicants will be allocated to these via Preference Informed Allocation (PIA) after allocation to a foundation school has taken place.

FPP guidance will remain on the website for information only. Any FPP specific recruitment processes and deadlines no longer apply for 2026.

Foundation Priority Programmes (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 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.

As part of this process, applicants will have the opportunity to preference individual priority programmes by specific location rather than by foundation schools like in the FP vacancy. The types of incentives offered vary depending on the foundation school.

These programmes are offered before the national allocation process with the intention of increasing accessibility for those applicants who preference them higher.

Applicants should visit local foundation school websites for details of individual priority programmes including information about the incentives offered and the employing organisations.

Queries about FPP programmes must be directed to individual foundation schools.

Foundation Priority programmes may include but are not restricted to:
 
• Leadership and management programmes
• Medical education, teaching or simulation opportunities
• Digital health and entrepreneurship opportunities
• Additional qualifications, for example, 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
• Enhance programmes
• Longitudinal integrated foundation training (LIFT)
• Longer programmes (up to three years) that provide opportunities to train more flexibly in order to undertake additional activities, 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

The following foundation schools offer priority programmes:

East of England
Kent, Surrey and Sussex
Leicestershire, Northamptonshire and Rutland
Trent
Northern
North West of England
Peninsula
Severn
West Midlands North
Wales
Wessex
Yorkshire and Humber

The following foundation schools DO NOT offer priority programmes:

London
Northern Ireland
Oxford
West Midlands Central
West Midlands South
Scotland

Information about how to complete the application form and apply for FPP programmes on Oriel can be found on the How to Apply page.
 
All applicants interested in applying for FPPs must apply for the main Foundation Programme (FP). They can then choose to apply for FPPs in addition to the main Foundation Programme.
 
FPP applicants preference individual priority programmes after they submit their application form and before the FPP offers take place. Offers to specific FPPs will be made before national allocation to foundation schools. Further information can be found on the FPP programme preferencing and offers page.