How to Apply

Applications for the 2025-26 Future Leaders Programme are open 1st March - 1st May 2025

Please read the following information carefully.

On this page you can find information about:

  • Funding routes and how to apply for them
  • Important information when applying
  • Selection process


How do I apply?

  • Applications must be submitted to [email protected] with the subject line ‘Future Leaders Programme Application’ by 23:59 on Thursday 1st May 2025.
  • The application must consist of the following in Word (.doc or .docx) format:
  • All documents should have your name in the file when submitted (e.g. JamesSmithCV.doc, JamesSmithApplication.doc)
  • Please do not include personal details such as date of birth within the CV, for data protection reasons.

Funding Routes and How to Apply for them

There are four main application routes to gain a place on the FLP:

BOA-sponsored

BOA-sponsored Place

To apply for the BOA-sponsored place, please use the Main BOA application form, supply your CV and Equality and Diversity Monitoring form.

The BOA invites applications from candidates with a strong interest in Equity, Diversity and Inclusion in Orthopaedics. The Quality Improvement Project proposed in these applications should be on a topic aligned with our 2020 Diversity Inclusion Strategy found here.

The sponsorship covers all fees, learning materials and day delegate hospitality, but does not cover travel or accommodation, which would need to be funded by the individual themselves.

Applications will be reviewed and shortlisted by a BOA panel and an interview held in early July 2025.

Trust-sponsored

Trust-sponsored Fellows

For a Trust-sponsored fellowship, there are two options: either you may already be working at a Trust and they wish to sponsor you on the programme, or you might be recruited to a Trust which wants to put you onto the scheme. The Trust and participant will need to fill in the Trust Application Form, provide a CV for the participant and complete our Equality and Diversity Monitoring form. There will be at least 10 Trust places on offer on the 2024-5 FLP, and successful candidates will be selected through a panel decision. Places will be awarded by 1st August 2025.

Specialist Society

Specialist Society/Specialist Interest-sponsored Fellows

For a Specialist Society/Specialist Interest-sponsored fellowships, the places available this year are listed in the table below, along with the criteria for applications. These Specialist Societies/Interests will use the Main BOA Future Leaders Programme application form (which also requires a CV and completion of the Equality and Diversity Monitoring form). Applications will be reviewed and selected by each individual Specialist Society.

  • British Association for Surgery of the Knee (BASK)
  • British Association of Spine Surgeons (BASS)
  • British Elbow and Shoulder Society (BESS)
  • British Hip Society (BHS)
  • British Indian Orthopaedic Society (BIOS)
  • British Orthopaedic Foot and Ankle Society (BOFAS)
  • British Orthopaedic Oncology Society (BOOS)
  • British Orthopaedic Sports Trauma & Arthroscopy Association (BOSTAA)
  • British Scoliosis Society (BSS)
  • British Society for Children's Orthopaedic Surgery (BSCOS)
  • Combined Services Orthopaedic Society (CSOS)
  • World Orthopaedic Concern UK (WOC)
  • British Limb Reconstruction Society (BLRS)
  • Orthopaedic Trauma Society (OTS)
Individual

Individual Applications (Self-funded)

For an Individual (self-funded) fellowship, please fill out the relevant sections in the Main BOA application form, provide your CV and complete the Equality and Diversity Monitoring form. Individual (self-funded) places will be awarded by 1st August 2025.

Important Notes about Applying

  • All application forms and CVs must be submitted as Word documents (.doc or .docx), NOT as PDFs. This is to allow applications to be anonymised for consideration.
     
  • You may apply for multiple routes (e.g. a combination of BOA-sponsored, Specialist Society/Specialist Interest-sponsored and self-funded fellowship), however, if you are successful for one, your application for the other(s) will automatically be removed from consideration. Self-funded places will be offered only once the sponsored places have been offered.
     
  • All applicants need to include with your application a completed Equality and Diversity Monitoring Form. As part of our monitoring processes we ask for your cooperation in completing the questions on this form. If for any reason you do not wish to provide an answer to any question, please tick the ‘prefer not to say’ box. 
     
  • All applicants for Trust-sponsored, BOA-sponsored and Individual (self-funded) places require a Project Sponsor, the details of whom should be given in the relevant application form. The Project Sponsor is responsible for overseeing the applicant's proposed project, and must agree to being nominated before you submit the form. Further information on Project Sponsors can be found here
  • Terms and Conditions: By applying for this programme, you are confirming that you have read and agreed to the terms and conditions of the BOA Future Leaders Programme.

Selection Process

All applications received by the BOA will be subject to an anonymous processing practice, with identifying details removed from the application form before being passed to the deciding panel. This blind (anonymised) shortlisting process will be used to reduce the potential for unconscious bias.

We may hold interviews for some places on the programme and will endeavour to let candidates know of dates with as much notice as possible.

Terms and Conditions: By applying for this programme, you are confirming that you have read and agreed to the terms and conditions of the BOA Future Leaders Programme.

Processing of data: The BOA takes the security and privacy of your data seriously. We have put together policies to comply with our legal obligations under the Data Protection Act 2018 (the ‘2018 Act’) and the UK General Data Protection Regulation (‘GDPR’) in respect of data privacy and security. Please visit our website at www.boa.ac.uk/privacy for information on the data we collect and how we use that data as part of our business and to manage our relationship with you.