This highly prestigious UK-wide scheme recognises and rewards excellent learning and teaching, with up to 55 awards made on an annual basis to eligible higher education providers in England, Northern Ireland, Wales and Scotland. 

Funded by the Higher Education Funding Council for England, the Higher Education Funding Council for Wales and the Department for Employment and Learning in Northern Ireland, National Teaching Fellowships are the most prestigious awards that can be bestowed on those involved in teaching or supporting teaching in higher education. Each eligible higher education provider can only nominate up to three of its learning and teaching staff for consideration per year.

The awards are very competitive and require an intensive period of work on the application statement during the autumn period.

A Claim for Fellowship consists of a 4, 500 word narrative statement of how the individual demonstrates excellence relevant to three headline criteria:

1. Individual excellence: Evidence of enhancing and transforming the student learning experience commensurate with the individual’s context and the opportunities afforded by it.
2. Raising the profile of excellence :Evidence of supporting colleagues and influencing support for student learning; demonstrating impact and engagement beyond the nominee’s immediate academic or professional role.
3. Developing excellence:  Evidence of the nominee’s commitment to her/his on-going professional development with regard to teaching and learning and/or learning support.