Building the Next Generation of Research Leaders
Are you a student or an osteopath with an interest in research and leadership?
Join the NCOR Governance Development Fellowship – a ten-month programme giving you hands-on governance experience, expert mentorship, and recognised training.
About the Programme
The NCOR Governance Development Fellowship is a structured ten-month programme providing students and osteopaths with practical experience of charity governance with a particular focus on NCOR as a charity. The fellowship is designed to be accessible and developmental – no prior experience of governance or research is required.
Governance roles involve helping to guide and oversee organisations such as charities, professional bodies, and research institutions. This typically includes serving as a trustee or non-executive board member, where responsibilities may include setting strategic direction, ensuring accountability, and supporting organisational development. While many osteopaths are unfamiliar with these opportunities, governance roles are increasingly recognised as valuable professional pathways and are often paid positions in larger organisations. This fellowship provides early exposure to how governance works in practice, along with formal training and mentorship, helping participants build the knowledge, confidence, and credibility needed to successfully apply for future governance roles.
Through mentoring, observational learning, and formal training, fellowship holders will gain confidence, skills, and connections that will serve them throughout their careers – whether or not they go on to take up a governance role in the future.
What the Fellowship Includes
Mentoring
Five structured one-to-one sessions with the NCOR Chair (Ms Glynis Fox) or an experienced trustee, focused on research leadership and governance.
Governance in Action
Observer status (with speaking rights) at NCOR Board of Trustees meetings (4x 2-hour meetings per year), working groups, and the Annual General Meeting.
Formal Training
Funded participation in recognised charity governance training (e.g. NCVO or Charity Commission courses), expected time commitment: ca. 1 day.
Who Can Apply?
The fellowship is open to:
- Penultimate-year or final-year undergraduate osteopathy students
- Postgraduate osteopathy students
- Registered osteopaths
We are particularly looking for applicants who:
- Have a demonstrated interest in research and/or leadership
- Are committed to engaging with the programme over its ten-month duration
- Are keen to contribute to the future of osteopathic research governance
- Come from a range of geographical backgrounds, educational institutions, and areas of clinical interest
| No prior research experience or governance knowledge is required. The fellowship is designed to develop your skills from wherever you are starting. |
What You Will Gain
By the end of the fellowship, you will have:
- Practical, first-hand experience of how a charity is governed
- Mentorship from experienced charity Trustees
- Recognised formal training in charity governance
- Expanded professional network across the osteopathic research community
- A strengthened curriculum vitae and professional profile
- Confidence to consider future non-executive and governance roles
- A greater understanding of the landscape of osteopathic research in the UK
Programme Timeline
| June – August | Recruitment and selection: applications open, shortlisting, and interviews |
| September | Induction: introduction to NCOR, the programme, mentors, and governance principles |
| September – May | Active participation: Board meetings, mentoring sessions (approx. every six weeks), and formal training |
| January / February | Mid-point review and feedback session |
| June | Completion: face-to-face Board meeting, reflective review, celebration of achievement, and discussion of next steps |
How to Apply
Applications are submitted via an online application form. You will be asked to:
- Confirm that you meet the eligibility criteria
- Describe why you would like to take part and what you hope to gain from the fellowship
- Provide a brief summary of your relevant background and experience (equivalent to a short CV summary)
Online application form: NCOR Governance Development Fellowship – Fill in form
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to a brief interview before final selection. We aim to notify all applicants of the outcome within four weeks of the application deadline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need research experience to apply?
No. An interest in research is desirable, but you do not need any prior research experience. The fellowship is designed to introduce you to research governance, not to build on an existing research career.
How much time will I need to commit?
The programme runs over ten months (September to June). It involves attending approximately four Board meetings (usually held online and lasting two to three hours, and one in June face-to-face in London), five one-to-one mentoring sessions, and completing a governance training course (ca. 1-day long). The total time commitment is approximately 20–25 hours over the year.
Is the fellowship paid?
The fellowship is a voluntary, unpaid development programme. NCOR will fund your formal governance training and contribute to reasonable travel expenses for the face-to-face Board meeting in June.
Can I apply if I have recently graduated?
Yes. The fellowship is open to recent graduates within five years of qualifying as an osteopath.
Will taking part in this fellowship mean I am committing to become a trustee?
No. The fellowship is a development programme with no obligation to take up a formal governance role. However, we hope that the experience will give you the transferable skills, confidence, and insight to consider such roles in the future – with NCOR or other professional organisations.
How many fellows will be selected?
We anticipate selecting one or two fellows per annual cohort. This ensures each fellow receives sufficient mentoring attention and meaningful engagement with the Board.
Contact Us
For any queries about the NCOR Governance Development Fellowship, please contact us at info@ncor.org.uk