We are pleased to announce the 2026 cohort of the NHS Clinical, Patient, and Dementia Innovators Programme (CEP), a significant year as the programme reaches its 10th anniversary.
This year, 239 places have been offered across the programmes. This reflects the continued interest from clinicians, patients and carers who want support to develop ideas that address real health care challenges.
Marking 10 Years of the Programme
Since it began, the CEP has supported clinicians, patients and innovators to take ideas forward and explore how they could be used in practice. As the programme reaches ten years, places for 2026 have been offered across three schemes:
- 215 places on the Clinical Entrepreneur Programme
- 9 places on the Dementia Innovators Programme
- 15 places on Cohort 3 of the Patient Entrepreneur Programme
Together, these groups make up the 2026 cohort, bringing a wide range of backgrounds, experiences and approaches to improving care and services.
A Competitive Year
The 2026 intake saw the highest number of applications to date. Interest in the programme continues to grow, both within the NHS and from people working closely with health and care services.
All applications were reviewed by three independent external assessors and then discussed by an internal assessment panel. We would like to thank everyone who took the time to apply and share their work. The quality of applications made the selection process challenging.
Partnerships and Programme Development
We are continuing our work with Alzheimer’s Society on the Dementia Innovators Programme. Now in its second year, the programme supports people developing ideas to improve the lives of those affected by dementia.
We also welcome Cohort 3 of the Patient Entrepreneur Programme. This programme supports patients and carers to turn their experience of using services into practical ideas, ensuring that patient perspectives are built into new solutions from the outset.
“We’re delighted to welcome another group of Clinical and Patient Entrepreneurs and Dementia Innovators, whose ideas are shaped by lived experience. Their insight brings a depth and honesty to the programme that is vital if innovation is going to work for the people it’s meant to serve.” Polly Sullivan – Programme Lead, NHS Clinical Entrepreneur Programme, Anglia Ruskin University.
Regional partnerships remain an important part of the programme. In 2026, we continue to work with partners in Northern Ireland (Invest Northern Ireland and HIRANI), as well as in Scotland and Wales, to support participation from across the UK.
Looking Ahead
As the Clinical Entrepreneur Programme enters its tenth year, the focus remains on supporting participants as they learn, test ideas, and explore how their work could be used in real settings.
We would like to thank the assessors, partners and applicants who contributed to this year’s process. We look forward to working with the 2026 cohort and following their progress over the coming year.