About the prize
The prize includes:
- Registration for one day of RCPCH Conference with access to all workshops and seminars
- Attendance at the Foundation Doctor prize ceremony where you are awarded your prize certificate by the VP of Education and Professional Development and VP for Training and Assessment
The prize winners will have ample opportunity to network, listen to keynote lectures, attend practical sessions and get a better understanding of paediatrics. It won't just look great on your CV but will prove your commitment to your professional development and help you expand your ePortfolio.
Eligibility and how to apply
This prize is open to FY1 and FY2 doctors in the UK and Republic of Ireland.
Each autumn we invite deaneries and foundation schools to nominate outstanding foundation doctors with a keen interest in paediatrics.
As an FY doctor, you can apply to be nominated through your Head of Paediatrics in your deanery or foundation school. You'll need to provide a personal statement of no more than 500 words about why you are applying for the award, with evidence of your passion for the paediatric specialty.
Celebrating the paediatricians of the future: the 2026 winners
We presented the awards at RCPCH Conference 2026 in Birmingham in May. This photo shows Dr Simon Broughton speaking with the foundation doctor prize winners at the College stand.
Some of the feedback
Thank you so SO much for such an incredible time at the conference! I honestly can’t believe how lucky I am to have been able to be in the same room as so many inspirational individuals. The conversations that I had, the laughter that I shared, and the advice I received are going to stay with me for many many years to come! I have never been more excited about my career prospects, and everything that the future has to hold, so I can only say a massive thank you to the College for all their support!
Attending the RCPCH Conference was a great experience. The sessions were genuinely insightful and the atmosphere throughout was incredibly welcoming. It was clear how much the college values foundation doctors at this early stage of their careers! I am very grateful to have been recognised with one of the foundation doctor prizes this year, and I feel the day only strengthened my desire to pursue paediatrics as a specialty.
I’d encourage any foundation doctor with an interest in paediatrics to get involved with RCPCH events, it’s definitely worth it
The RCPCH conference was a truly inspiring event and I am very grateful to have been able to attend as part of the Foundation Doctor Prize! Particularly, the mental health crisis plenary and the workshop on increasing engagement and accessibility in children was thought provoking and definitely has had a lasting impact on me! I also found the RCPCH stand valuable to network and ask questions. Looking forward to start Paediatrics training soon and attending future conferences in the coming years!
This was my first time attending the RCPCH Conference, and it was an absolute pleasure to do so! It was wonderful to learn about sustainable prescribing practices and improving paediatric mental health services and most importantly, to see first-hand that paediatric healthcare workers really are the nicest people ever! I am so grateful to have received the Foundation Doctor Prize and cannot wait to #ChoosePaediatrics in the future.
For any enquiries, please contact us: choosepaediatrics@rcpch.ac.uk