The Clinical Entrepreneurial Programme is now open to all dentists who are developing or aspire to embrace clinical innovations or enterprises in the profession.

Managed jointly by NHS England, Health Education England and endorsed by the Chief Dental Officer for England, the scheme was developed over more than a year of intensive work with entrepreneurial clinicians, academic leaders and industry partners.

The Clinical Entrepreneur Programme includes:

  • Mentoring and coaching scheme – from an acclaimed international faculty including commercial, financial, clinical, academic, managerial, and public sector leaders and achievers

  • Customer matching – establishing relationships with providers/customers to deliver pre-commercial procurement opportunities

  • Possible entrepreneurial placements/internships – with industry, charities, social enterprises and public sector organisations with both partner funded and self-funding options

  • Time for entrepreneurial activity such as less than full-time, annualised job planning, time out from clinical duties.

The curriculum covers all aspects of setting up and running a small business, including attracting investors, applying for funding, and ensuring appropriate corporate governance. A dedicated programme in how to build a start-up – and how to operate in this highly-charged environment - is delivered as a series of 'Pitstop' educational events.

The application process runs from 10 July to 9 August 2017. Interviews will be held on 30 and 31 August and 1 September. The programme will commence in autumn 2017.

To apply for the clinical entrepreneur training programme, complete the application form on NHS England's Innovation web portal at http://www.innovation.england.nhs.uk/clinical-entrepreneur.

To find out more about the overall programme see https://www.england.nhs.uk/ourwork/innovation/clinical-entrepreneur/.