” The sense of belonging I felt was unreal. I have found my tribe. The Shuri Network is going to be a lifelong relationship.” Shuri Fellow 2024/25
Applications for our 2026/27 Digital Fellowship will open on the 12th of December at 2pm!
Please join the Network if you are interested in applying for our fifth cohort.
A webinar was held on the 10th December 2025 for prospective applicants. You can view the recording with our Chair, Dr Shera Chok, coach Louise Miller and alumni Joicy Jose & Erioluwa Ajibade below:
The Shuri Network and NHS England are working collaboratively to support women from ethnic minority backgrounds to succeed and thrive in digital health and improve patient care. The Fellowship has helped to empower participants to overcome career-related challenges, gain insight into different digital roles, supported career progression, build positive relationships and translate their learning into improving patient and service user care, safety and outcomes. Our programme encapsulates innovation, empowerment and inclusion.
Applications will open on the 12th of December 2025. There are 46 places on the next Digital Fellowship cohort. Please note that applications will close on Friday 9th January or once the 220 application limit has been reached, so we encourage you to apply as early as possible. The programme will start in March 2026 and run to December 2026.
Our ground-breaking programme with NHS England has had a hugely positive impact and created a generation of new digital champions and innovators. The Fellowship applications are open to all NHS professional groups Bands 5-8A (or equivalent) including AHPs, midwives, paramedics, digital, data and informatics staff, nurses and resident doctors. We are also delighted to welcome applications from social care professionals.
“The Shuri Digital Fellowship wasn’t just a program; it was a conception phase—a bold foundation for transformational digital leadership. After 8 months of intense growth, learning, unlearning, and reimagining, I walk away deeply changed and purposefully charged. Thank you Shera Chok , Bisi Soledolu , Jenny Chong and the entire Shuri team. What you’ve built it’s a revolution in motion.” Erioluwa Ajibade, Shuri Fellow, Cohort 4.
You are also advised to read the advice on applications here.
IOur Fellows from Cohort 4 produced a podcast in March 2025 to reflect on their experience of the Fellowship: Listen to it here
” The Shuri Network … has been instrumental in mentoring emerging talent and creating new digital leaders.” Helen Balsdon, CNIO, NHS England, 2023.
“An email really did change my life…The Fellowship has been instrumental to my personal growth, it has been a platform that has given me a voice. The Network for me is about acceptance. It is an amazing programme that reminds me that digital includes all of us, not just software engineers or analysts.” Felicia Akubue, Digital Fellow 2022/23 and Fellowship alumni national lead
“I honestly couldn’t have done this (gained first digital role) without the experience, connections and learning afforded to me through the fellowship. I’m so glad that I went ahead and applied for the Fellowship even when the dreaded imposter syndrome kicked in and gave me 100 reasons not to. The Fellowship has given me so much confidence and belief in myself and my ability to make a difference, and although my fellowship has come to an end, this is just the start of my journey.” Awo Hussein, Digital Fellow 2022/23. Read about her journey here:
The Shuri Digital Fellowship has transformed me personally and professionally. I have become more confident, assertive, visible and have a vision to make impact. The course has re-ignited my passion for career growth and shown me the necessary steps to take for my development. The Fellowship … enhanced my knowledge of digital innovation and patient care which is vital in current NHS. ” Mariam Patel, Digital Fellow 2023/24
We were delighted to welcome Bisi Soledolu to the Shuri team in June 2021 as our Project Manager for the Nursing Fellowship. Bisi is a nurse & midwife by background and is passionate about helping nurses and midwives to succeed in their careers. In June 2022 she won the Workforce Innovator award at the National BAME Health and Care Awards for her work on the Fellowship !