The CSO Innovation Academic Fellowship Scheme was launched in October 2022. It is targeted at clinicians early in their career to undertake a higher degree (MD or PhD) designed to develop future innovation leaders within the NHS. The scheme is 100% funded, including university fees.
Successful applicants will develop the capacity and capability to engage with and lead research, development and innovation (RD&I) in NHS Scotland and prepare them to be the leaders in this area in the future. Applicants will demonstrate the ability to engage with partners to develop products, services or devices creating the evidence to support decision making for adoption within NHS Scotland. This is with the clear intention of radically transforming the design and delivery of health and social care services in ways that ensure sustainability and high quality, timely, accessible services. Embedded within this approach is enabling and developing the skills and capabilities of the workforce while enhancing productivity during recovery and transformation of services.
Following a thorough and highly competitive application process, two CSO Innovation Academic Fellows were appointed in January 2023 with Fellowship commencing from September 2023. The successful applicants and their projects are detailed below.
| Code | Title | Fellow | Organisation | Funding Amount | Abstract | Final Summary |
| IAF/23/01 | Adaptation of the Advanced Symptom Management System for the Delivery of Supportive Care to People with Head and Neck Cancer. | Kate Hulse | West of Scotland Innovation Hub | £200,627 | IAF/23/01 Abstract | Project Active |
| IAF/23/02 | Utilising Routine Data and Digitally-Enabled Care to provide regional identification, triage, and management optimisation for COPD. | Claire Yerramasu | Health Innovation South East Scotland | £214,636 | IAF/23/02 Abstract | Project Active |