SAS Development Fund Application Process

Scottish Government is providing annual funding for SAS doctors' and dentists' training and development needs.

This is not to support routine CPD, which should be funded as normal via your employer's study leave budget, but is rather to provide assistance to individuals by way of a contribution towards the cost of carrying out a course of study or project, for the purpose of meeting a specific aim as outlined above.

What's included?

SAS Professional Development Programme funding is run on an annual basis. Funding has been provided to support future course fees plus reasonable travel and subsistence costs (within the UK only), but in order to optimise the number of applicants who may benefit from the SAS Development Fund the monies cannot be used to support examination fees, exam preparation courses or college related fees (to present a CESR application).

For courses which extend beyond a single academic year, objective evidence of successful achievement within the first year will be required from the applicant prior to approval being granted to fund subsequent years.

To date, we have received a total of 521 applications for funding, of which 84% have been approved for funding.

Please find our application process flowchart here which includes information on eligibility and how to correctly complete your application.

What courses can I apply for?

To date, the Development Fund has supported applications for activities including:

Train the Trainer (Endoscopy) course, ALS Instructor training, CCRiSP courses, Laparoscopy courses, ADOS Autism Diagnostic Observation Skills courses, Cardiac/ECHO training, Transvaginal Ultrasound training, Rheumatology Ultrasound training, and other postgraduate qualification in specialty specific disciplines such as Palliative Medicine, Paediatric Neuro-disability and Conscious Sedation (Dentistry) courses amongst others. This list is not exhaustive.

As current circumstances favour online and distance learning courses, we have made a list of such courses we've previously supported available at this webpage. Applicants are also welcome to identify new learning opportunities they wish to apply for.

Applications for assistance from the Development Fund should relate to projects or courses of study which can clearly demonstrate enhanced or improved clinical service provision and patient care and safety. These projects or courses of study should lead to an increased contribution by the recipient to the National Health Service both in general and locally.

Applications may be considered for:

• short-term top-up training for CESR in accordance with current GMC specialty specific guidance
• postgraduate qualifications which may be certificates/diplomas/masters in clinical areas or others such as leadership, education, ethics etc.
• short-term clinical secondments for additional experience, which are of relevance to the individual and the Service they support.
• other training and development opportunities which are considered to enhance the development of that individual doctor/dentist and the service they can provide.

Applicants must hold a substantive SAS-grade post and will require approval from their Head of Service/Clinical Director and their Director of Medical Education before their application can be considered. If potential applicants require help and support in the process this will be provided by the locally appointed SAS Education Adviser in their board area.

Please note that the SAS Development Fund cannot be used for modules or courses focused on academic research/dissertations. Courses such as Masters degrees, if approved, will typically be funded for the Certificate (1^st) and Diploma (2^nd) years, but not for the research/dissertation modules which frequently take place in the 3^rd year of a Masters degree. Studying for a PhD would not usually be supported either, for the same reasoning. Please liaise with your SAS Education Adviser for queries on eligibility of any course that you have identified.

The national SAS Programme Board consists of the following representation:

• Associate Postgraduate Dean and Operational Lead for SAS Programme, Dr Lynne Meekison
• Associate Postgraduate Dental Dean, Mr Donald Thomson
• Representative of the DMEs Group, Dr Kate Patrick 
• Representatives of the British Medical Association (BMA), Dr Sine Steele and Mr Zeeshan Ahmed
• Representative of the Academy of Royal Medical College (AoRMC), Mrs Vinita Shekar

This SAS Programme Board meets four times a year to assess and approve applications for funding, and to try and improve the delivery of training and development for SAS doctors working in Scotland over and above their study leave entitlement.

When can I apply?

Applications can be submitted at any time during each funding approval cycle. The cut-off dates for the next cycle are as follows:

The next SAS Programme Board meeting will be taking place on Friday 17th May 2024.

To ensure bids are received in time to be considered by the Programme Board - APPLICANTS SHOULD or MUST:

1. Applicants should contact their EA by Friday 26th April (unless otherwise stated by your EA), to allow adequate time for discussion and planning

2. Applicants must submit their bids for internal approval (Clinical Director/ relevant Director of Medical Education) by Friday 3rd May at the latest.

3. Applicants must email their fully completed, approved and authorised applications to SASDevelopment@nes.scot.nhs.uk by Friday 10th May at the latest.

Please remember applications can be submitted AT ANY TIME, and we strongly recommend that you do not leave it until the closing date.

Application forms can be downloaded below: please note that you should use the form that corresponds to the type of development activity you are applying for.

• Application form type A - for training/academic courses
• Application form type B - for secondments related to Portfolio Pathway (formerly CESR)
• Application form type C - for secondments not related to Portfolio
• Secondment funding cost form - to be submitted with all secondment funding applications (backfill and/or additional hours)
• Top Tips for Applicants

SAS Equality & Diversity form: 

The subsequent funding panel will meet on the following date: (exact date tbc) July/August 2024.

PLEASE NOTE

Applicants must contact their local SAS Education Adviser prior to application submission, for relevant advice and guidance. If you are unsure who your local EA is, please contact SASDevelopment@nes.scot.nhs.uk

Applicants will require approval from their Head of Service/Clinical Director and their Director of Medical Education (or appropriate Associate/Deputy DME) before their application can be considered.

This page was last updated on: 15.03.2024 at 14.50