Recruitment timeline

Specialty Recruitment applicant guide

Key recruitment dates for specialty recruitment.

Important: Important

It is important that you familiarise yourself with which round the specialty that you wish to apply to is being recruited in as their timelines may vary.

In 2026 Round 1, applicants will only be able to submit a maximum of five applications.

There will be no limit to the number of applications that can be submitted in Round 2.

Recruitment timelines for 2026

For further information on the ACF recruitment process, please visit the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) website.

October 2025

Applications open

Date: Thursday 2 October 2025

Applications close

Date: Thursday 30 October 2025

November 2025

Interview window opens

Date: Monday 10 November 2025

January 2026

Interview window closes

Date: Friday 16 January 2026

Initial offers released from

Date: Tuesday 20 January 2026

Hold deadline

Date: Tuesday 27 January 2026

Religious holidays

Wherever possible, recruitment offices will avoid religious holidays when planning interview dates, but this cannot be guaranteed. If you are unable to attend an interview date for this reason, you should contact the specialty Recruitment Lead at the earliest opportunity to establish if it is possible to make alternative arrangements.

Pregnancy and maternity leave

Specialty recruitment is organised in a number of nationally agreed recruitment rounds that all specialties adhere to. If you unable to attend the interviews due to pregnancy or maternity leave, you should contact the specialty Recruitment Lead at the earliest opportunity to enquire whether alternative interview arrangements can be accommodated.

Page last reviewed: 8 August 2024
Next review due: 8 August 2025