Deadline: 06-May-2026
The One Young World Roche Scholarship 2026 supports young leaders working in or with the NHS in the United Kingdom who are advancing sustainable healthcare innovation or health equity. Three selected scholars will receive a fully funded opportunity to attend the One Young World Summit 2026 in Cape Town, South Africa, from 3–6 November 2026.
About the Roche Scholarship
The Roche Scholarship, offered in partnership with One Young World, is designed for young professionals contributing to sustainable innovation in healthcare within the NHS ecosystem.
The scholarship will support three outstanding leaders to attend the One Young World Summit 2026, a global gathering of young changemakers and leaders.
The programme is focused on people who are already helping improve healthcare systems through innovation, equity, and sustainability.
Key Highlights
- Programme Name: One Young World Roche Scholarship 2026
- Organisers: One Young World and Roche
- Number of Scholarships: 3
- Target Group: Young leaders working in or with the NHS
- Location of Summit: Cape Town, South Africa
- Summit Dates: 3–6 November 2026
- Arrival/Accommodation Dates: 2–6 November 2026
- Funding Type: Fully funded summit participation
- Geographic Eligibility: Open to all nationalities, but applicants must be based in the UK
Who is Eligible?
You may be eligible if you meet all of the following:
- You are 18 to 35 years old at the time of the summit
- You are based in the United Kingdom
- You hold a position:
- Within the NHS, or
- In an organisation working in partnership with the NHS
- You are working on sustainable innovation in healthcare or health equity
- You can show:
- Understanding of important local or global issues
- A strong track record of impactful and innovative solutions
- A clear commitment to sustainable healthcare innovation
Not Eligible If
You are not eligible if:
- You will be under 18 at the time of the summit
- You are not based in the UK
- You do not work in the NHS or an NHS partner organisation
- You cannot demonstrate relevant work in health equity or sustainable healthcare innovation
Focus Areas
The scholarship is specifically looking for young leaders working in one or more of these areas:
1. Health Equity
Applicants may be addressing:
- The causes of health inequalities
- The effects of health inequalities
- Barriers to access, outcomes, or quality of care
- Solutions that improve fairness in healthcare delivery
2. Innovation in Treatment or Diagnosis
Applicants may be creating or implementing:
- New treatment methods
- New diagnostic tools
- Improved clinical pathways
- Innovations that strengthen patient care pathways
3. Sustainable Healthcare and Decarbonisation
Applicants may be working on:
- Reducing emissions in healthcare systems
- Lowering pressure on natural resources
- Decarbonising healthcare supply chains
- Improving sustainability in operations or procurement
What Does the Scholarship Cover?
Selected scholars will receive a fully funded summit experience.
Benefits Include
- Access to the One Young World Summit 2026
- Hotel accommodation in Cape Town (private room) from 2–6 November 2026
- Economy-class travel costs to and from Cape Town
- Travel is reimbursed after booking
- Catering:
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Transport between the airport and hotel via public transport
Why This Opportunity Matters
This scholarship is valuable because it supports young professionals who are already shaping the future of healthcare within or around the NHS.
It offers:
- Global visibility through the One Young World Summit
- Access to an international network of young leaders
- Recognition from Roche and One Young World
- A platform to share and scale ideas in:
- Health equity
- Healthcare innovation
- Sustainable healthcare systems
For NHS professionals, it can also strengthen leadership credibility and international exposure.
How to Apply
A strong application should clearly connect your work to health equity, innovation, or healthcare sustainability.
What to Prepare
Before applying, prepare:
- Proof that you are based in the UK
- Evidence of your role in:
- The NHS, or
- An NHS partner organisation
- Examples of your work or project impact
- A short explanation of your innovation or initiative
- Evidence of leadership and measurable outcomes
- Details showing your commitment to sustainable healthcare change
Best Application Structure
Use this simple format:
- What challenge are you addressing?
Explain the healthcare problem clearly. - What solution are you leading or supporting?
Describe your innovation, programme, or intervention. - What results or impact have you created?
Use practical examples or measurable outcomes. - Why does this matter for the NHS or healthcare systems?
Show relevance to patient care, equity, or sustainability. - How does your work align with the scholarship focus?
Link directly to health equity, diagnosis/treatment innovation, or decarbonisation. - Why are you a strong fit for One Young World?
Highlight leadership, influence, and future potential.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Avoid these common mistakes:
- Not clearly proving your NHS or NHS-partner connection
- Giving vague examples of impact
- Failing to link your work to the three focus areas
- Describing ideas without showing implementation or results
- Ignoring the UK-based requirement
- Forgetting that travel is reimbursed, not prepaid
Quick Tips
- Be specific about your role and organisation
- Show measurable impact where possible
- Use direct language and avoid jargon
- Connect your work clearly to patient outcomes, equity, or sustainability
- Emphasize both innovation and leadership
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Who can apply for the One Young World Roche Scholarship 2026?
Young leaders aged 18–35 who are based in the UK and work within the NHS or with an organisation partnered with the NHS can apply.
2. Is the scholarship open to all nationalities?
Yes. Nationals of all countries are eligible, but applicants must be based in the United Kingdom.
3. How many scholarships are available?
Three scholarships will be awarded.
4. What event does the scholarship support?
It supports participation in the One Young World Summit 2026 in Cape Town, South Africa, taking place from 3–6 November 2026.
5. What costs are covered?
The scholarship covers:
- Summit access
- Hotel accommodation (2–6 November 2026)
- Economy travel costs (reimbursed after booking)
- Meals
- Airport-hotel transport via public transport
6. What kinds of work are they looking for?
They are looking for applicants working on:
- Health equity
- Innovative treatment or diagnosis methods
- Sustainable healthcare systems
- Decarbonising healthcare supply chains
7. Can someone under 18 apply?
No. Applicants under 18 at the time of the summit are not eligible.
Final Takeaway
The One Young World Roche Scholarship 2026 is an excellent opportunity for young NHS professionals and NHS-partner leaders in the UK who are driving change in health equity, healthcare innovation, and sustainability. With three fully funded places to attend the One Young World Summit in Cape Town, it offers recognition, global exposure, and a powerful platform for emerging healthcare leaders.
For more information, visit One Young World.