Applications open for 2027-28 Technical Teaching Fellows

Recognised as one of the highest honours in technical education, the Technical Teaching Fellowship celebrates outstanding educators who are shaping the future workforce. If you demonstrate excellence in technical teaching, apply now to gain national recognition, funding and the opportunity to influence practice across the UK.

 

Applications for the 2027-28 cohort of Technical Teaching Fellows are now open. Apply before the deadline of 18 December 2026, by completing the Technical Teaching Fellowship application form below.

Download the 2027-28 Technical Teaching Fellowship application form

What is the Technical Teaching Fellowship programme?

Beginning in 2018, The Technical Teaching Fellowship programme is an initiative funded by a partnership between the Education Training Foundation (ETF), which has a charitable objective to develop the technical education workforce, and the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851.

The fellowship recognises, develops and shares exceptional technical teaching practice to improve the quality of teaching and training and support the industrial and technical expertise of the next generation.

Who can apply?

Applications are welcome from practitioners demonstrating excellence in technical teaching who work in England, Northern Ireland, Scotland or Wales. Read the full application details below.

What does a Fellowship involve?

Successful applicants use their funded Fellowship to develop and promote a model of professional excellence in their delivery of technical education. They share effective practice widely to help improve the quality of technical teaching and training. Read more about the programme below.

What are the benefits?

  • Recognition for exceptional technical teaching.
  • A funded opportunity to develop and share your practice.
  • The programme strengthens collaboration between education and industry, supporting the development of the next generation’s technical expertise.

Who funds the programme?

The programme is funded through a partnership between the Education Training Foundation (ETF) and the Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851. The Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851’s mission is to “increase the means of industrial education and extend the influence of science and art upon productive industry” through postgraduate Fellowships and Scholarships for advanced study and research in science, engineering, and a small number of Special Awards. Many of these are focused on raising awareness of career paths and opportunities presented by science and engineering to young people.

How many Fellowships are awarded each year?

Up to six ETF/Royal Commission Fellowships are awarded each year.

In summary, successful applicants will:

  • receive an award of £5,000 – £15,000 to support knowledge transfer activity and to ensure remission time is guaranteed (awards will be payable to employing organisation, but funding must be clearly allocated to enable Technical Teaching Fellows to carry out their agreed activities)
  • develop “Pathways to Impact” activity action plans, to maximise the benefit of their Technical Teaching Fellowships
  • attend two one-day developmental workshops over the academic cycle 2027-28
  • be allocated a programme mentor to support them for the duration of the programme.
  • be expected to disseminate their work at national conferences
  • contribute to the delivery of a final report, written to engage and motivate technical education in their area of practice.

Successful applicants will be made Fellows of Education and Training Foundation and awarded a year’s free membership during their participation in the programme.

The programme will accept applications from the Four Nations of the United Kingdom, any type of ESFA-funded provider and any type of practitioner role. Joint applications from two individuals wishing to work together will be considered, both from one organisation or as a partnership between two providers.

Technical Teaching Fellowships may be awarded in any area of technical education where innovative practice is already providing exceptional learning experiences. Applicants must be able to demonstrate the quality and impact of the work for which a Technical Teaching Fellowship is proposed. This may be for one specific area of practice or for a range of activities that collectively form a powerful and sector-leading experience for their learners.

Applications should propose activity to share effective practice and drive improvement, but full support will be given to assess the potential of the Technical Teaching Fellowship to drive growth, particularly in areas where there are greater skills needs or limited employer engagement with skills development.

Successful proposals will be characterised by:

  1. Demonstrating highly effective approaches to improving teaching and learning in technical education, with the potential to help other teachers to teach better.
  1. Promoting the professional standards of the FE sector and the professional standards of the workplace.
  1. Demonstrating how applicants will use this opportunity to become a positive national role model and inspire others to emulate their practice.
  1. Planning and delivering professional development opportunities which will share effective practice in technical teaching and impact positively upon the pedagogy of other teachers.
  1. Maximising reach, engagement, and impact by raising the profile of the Technical Teaching Fellowship programme and involving employers, professional associations, learned societies, skills groups or other partners to support and extend activity and practice.

Full guidance to assist applicants is provided at the end of the application form.

For further information about the programme, or to questions about the application process please contact Applicationttf@etfoundation.co.uk.

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