NHS CEP Patient Entrepreneur Programme Cohort 2
The NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme is running a 12-month programme for patients who are working on healthcare innovations. We are offering access to the NHS CEP with additional support from our partners at the Patient and Public team at NHS England.
Its free, part-time and open to all patients with an innovation in healthcare.
What is the NHS CEP Patient Entrepreneur Programme?
The NHS CEP Patient Entrepreneur Programme is aimed at those with experience of an illness or condition who have a novel or new innovation to improve patient care. The programme aims to give these patients the skills and knowledge to develop their innovation, while giving them access to a network of mentors, healthcare experts and patient support.
Delivered by the NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme, this pilot allows patients to join an already established and respected programme of innovation learning and development, while benefitting from additional wrap around support and bespoke opportunities.
How does it work?
The programme is free. Individuals can apply to the programme as they would the NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme. The cohort will start in March 2024, and have full access to the CEP curriculum which includes:
Learning
- CPD Accredited Pit Stops – 2-day events delivering educational content, blended delivery both online and in person.
- Workshops and webinars – blended delivery where possible.
Mentoring
- Mentoring – online and in person.
- 1-2-1 clinics with experts - online and in person.
- Business planning – online and in person.
Opportunities
- International opportunities and trips.
- Company days and pitching opportunities with industry partners.
- Networking.
Community
- A supportive and inclusive community.
- Access to an online community.
In addition, wrap-around support will be provided by NHS England’s Patient and Public Involvement team in the form of:
- Regular check ins - the Patient and Public team will provide support for you while on the programme.
- Webinars and workshops - specifically aimed at patient entrepreneurs,. and cover topics such as how to share your story and communicating with impact.
- Patient network - to share successes and to work in collaboration with other patient entrepreneurs.
Key Programme dates
- Applications Open: 7am 1st October 2024
- Launch webinar date: 6pm 30th September 2024
- Applications Close: 6pm 29th October 2024
- Assessment and Review: December 2024/January 2025
- Successful candidates notified: January 2025
- Programme starts: 5th March 2025 with the Big Pitch Launch
Participation Requirements:
- Patients entrepreneurs need to attend at least 50% of the CPD Accredited pit stops. This can either be in person or virtually via zoom.
- If matched with a mentor, they need to have at least 4 x 1-hour sessions with them over the course of the year.
- They will be required to take part in mid and end of year surveys and provide entrepreneur profiles to the programme team, and produce a end of year report or presentation.
Advice and guidelines on how to use the portal
- Create an account: To be able to submit an application, you will need to register to the application portal. To register, please follow the on-screen instructions. Once logged into your account, you can then begin your application from the portal home page.
- Save your work regularly: We recommend you save your work regularly to minimise the risk of losing work due to internet issues or issues with your computers, which can happen. You may save your progress using the ‘Save and Close’ button and return to the application process later.
- Submit your application on or before 29th October 2024 at 6pm: This is the final deadline for applications and only complete applications received before the deadline will be accepted.
- Submit a single application: Please only submit one application and ensure all information provided is correct. Please provide relevant and well-articulated answers and give examples, if you can.
- Complete all sections: Please ensure you complete all sections of the application fully. Incomplete applications will not be assessed.
- Only use the portal to apply to the programme: Please only submit your application via the portal. Applications submitted by post, email, or any other method will not be accepted.
- Avoid using acronyms: Please try to avoid acronyms unless they are necessary. If you do choose to use an acronym, please write it out in full initially, with the acronym in brackets, and then continue to use the acronym.
- Please use clear, concise and and understandable language and provide adequate explanation to the questions asked, avoiding using overly complicated technical or medical terms: For more guidance see our pitching masterclass.
- Only submit written text and videos of yourself: Please only use written text, do not use images or other graphics in your answers. When submitting video answers, please keep it as simple as you can, with just video footage of yourself speaking. Please do not use PowerPoint presentations or animations.
- This application is for you as an individual. We will not accept any joint applications.
- Contact Us: We are more than happy to answer any questions and provide any clarification on the application process, so if you have any queries please email cep@aru.ac.uk
Am I eligible to apply?
To apply to the NHS CEP Patient Entrepreneur Programme, you need to:
- Have lived experience as a patient, carer or a family member of someone with a health condition.
- Individuals need to apply with a project or innovation that is already in development and beyond the idea stage. Applicants need to have done some market research, understand priorities to the health services and how their idea could potentially impact different populations. This programme is aimed at those individuals who don’t already have support from an organisation.
- Be based in England – sorry we cannot accept patient entrepreneurs from Scotland, Northern Ireland or Wales.
- Be 18 years of age or older.
I’m from Northern Ireland, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, can I apply to this year’s programme?
No, at this stage the pilot is currently only open to those in England.
Can I apply with an innovation, idea or concept in a very early stage of development?
No unfortunately very early-stage ideas will not be accepted. We welcome applications from those with an innovative idea who have undertaken some research and development or those who have progressed their innovation further (minimum viable product or testing, or already out in the market) but require additional support.