The HealthTech Foundations Scholarship
Interested in HealthTech but don't know where to start?
What is The HealthTech Foundations Scholarship?
The HealthTech Foundations Scholarship is a high-impact 5-week programme offering medical students a structured and inspiring entry point into the world of digital health.
Designed for those eager to explore innovation beyond the wards, it combines expert-led teaching, interactive workshops, mentorship, and hands-on reflection — with opportunities to earn prestigious awards, prizes, and a credentialed certificate creating an all-in-one launchpad for your career in healthtech.
This scholarship offers the world-class expertise of BiteLabs — the UK’s leading HealthTech education provider. Bitelabs are UK & US accredited, having trained over 800 fellows, and placed over 200 in industry whilst raising >£1 million in funding. Their vast network in Digital Health combined with their 250+ faculty, mentors and advisors make them the perfect way to start your own journey in HealthTech.
This scholarship delivers proven, industry-backed education and insights that have helped countless medics secure roles in some of the most competitive and innovative sectors in healthcare.
No prior experience in digital health is required — just curiosity, ambition, and a drive to shape the future of healthcare.
Key Information
Places are limited and highly competitive.
Who: Medical Students
Type: Online
Cost: FREE
Duration: 5 weeks – 5 x 2h weekly live sessions from 27th October 2026 to 24th November 2026 (Tuesdays 6.30pm-8.30pm weekly) + in person pitch day (First weekend 5-6th December 2026, TBC).
Time Commitment: 12 hours over 5 weeks excluding pre-reading and capstone project work.
APPLICATION DEADLINE: Apply by 23:59 Monday 5th October 2026 to join the October cohort.
FAQ:
Can non medical students apply for this programme?
No, strictly only medical students can apply for this programme currently
Can non-UK medical students apply for this programme?
No, strictly only UK medical students can apply for this programme currently. This is because the in-person day is in the UK, and much of the teaching and advice is UK specific.
Will I get a confirmation email after my application?
There is no confirmation email after applying. You will be informed if you have received a place or not after the application period has closed. Please allow time for us to review applications. Rest assured your application has been received if you have properly completed the application form.
Eligibility: Who the Scholarship Is Designed For?
The HealthTech Foundations Scholarship is designed for medical students across the UK who are curious about digital health, innovation, and alternative career pathways within healthcare.
No technical background, coding experience, or prior involvement in digital health is required. The programme intentionally caters to beginners, offering primer materials, accessible teaching, and highly practical learning opportunities.
It is ideal for students who:
Are unsure where to start in HealthTech
Lack mentorship or exposure to the innovation ecosystem
Want structured guidance on opportunities, skills, and career routes
Hope to build networks and gain insight from clinicians active in digital innovation
Studying Alongside Other Commitments
The scholarship is designed to sit comfortably alongside existing studies, placements, or external commitments.
Participants are welcome to remain enrolled at their university or other institutions simultaneously. The schedule — five weekly evening sessions plus a light independent project — has been intentionally crafted based on medical-student feedback to ensure it is manageable during the academic year and avoids peak exam periods.
Programme Structure
1️⃣ From Clinical Insight to HealthTech Value (Inspire)
How is technology transforming medicine? Build a holistic understanding of digital health, its relevance to everyday clinical practice and discern real clinical value.
2️⃣ From Idea to Bedside (Empower)
Gain foundational understanding of product development, how innovations reach patients and how regulation and policy influence this process.
3️⃣ Health Economics, Stakeholders and the Mid-Programme Review (Orient)
Understand the key players in the UK digital-health landscape, foundational business acumen and gain valuable feedback on your Capstone Project via our Mid-Programme Review.
4️⃣ Career Pathways Within Digital Health (Develop)
Explore practical career routes into health technology, clarify opportunities at different stages of medical training, gain an understanding of AI and practice pitching skills.
5️⃣ Change Making and Next Steps (Apply)
Gain a deeper understanding of the importance of effective networking and create an action plan with executable next steps for continued learning and progress.
🛠️Capstone Project – a short project pitched at an in-person Pitch Day where the top submission earns Distinction Scholar status, certificate, 1-1 mentorship call, free Bitelabs Demo-Day with real investors, and a public LinkedIn feature.
Expectations of Scholars
To complete the scholarship and receive certification, scholars are expected to:
☑️Attend all live webinar sessions
☑️Attend in-person Pitch Day in London (date TBD – estimated 5-6th December)
☑️Complete all prereading and engage in discussions, breakout groups, and interactive activities
☑️Complete a capstone project within two weeks after Week 4
Top performers in the capstone project will be awarded:
Distinction Scholar status
A one-to-one mentorship session with Bitelabs
Invitation to Bitelabs Demo Day
A formal Distinction certificate
The scholarship aims to be inclusive, professional, and growth-orientated — with expectations designed to stretch scholars without overwhelming them.
Why become a HealthTech Scholar?
✅ Launchpad for HealthTech — Understand the key technologies, sectors, and next steps to get started in digital health.
✅ Boost Your Network — Meet like-minded medics, gain exposure to mentors, and connect with the leading HealthTech community in the UK
✅ Learn from Leaders — Join live sessions with clinician-founders, HealthTech experts, innovators, and NHS digital leaders.
✅ Excel and Spearhead your Career — top 3 submissions earn Distinction Scholar status, a 1-1 mentorship call, a free Demo-Day, and a public LinkedIn feature.
✅ Get Certified — Receive a Bitelabs-backed digital certification to display on your portfolio, to strengthen applications and interviews.
The impact of our programme so far?
