WONCA announces Young Family Doctors NCD Fellowship

WONCA is pleased to announce the launch of the WONCA Young Family Doctors Noncommunicable Diseases, NCD, Fellowship, a new global programme designed to support early-career family doctors in strengthening prevention, management, and leadership in NCD care within primary care.

Noncommunicable diseases, including cardiovascular disease, diabetes, chronic respiratory conditions, and other long-term illnesses, continue to place a major burden on patients, communities, and health systems worldwide. Family doctors and primary care teams are central to addressing these challenges through prevention, continuity of care, early diagnosis, long-term management, and person-centred support close to where people live.

This new fellowship reflects WONCA’s commitment to advancing high-quality primary care globally and to supporting the next generation of family medicine leaders. Seven fellows will be selected, one from each WONCA region, for a 10-month programme combining online learning, individual mentorship, leadership development, and the design and implementation of a practical NCD project responding to a local need in primary care.

As part of the fellowship, participants will also receive support to attend and present their work at a WONCA regional or global conference. This will give fellows the opportunity to share learning across regions, contribute to the wider family medicine community, and remain connected through an emerging alumni network.

WONCA is also inviting experienced family doctors, academics, and primary care leaders to apply as mentors. Mentors will play an important role in guiding fellows through project development, reflection, and shared learning across the fellowship period.

AstraZeneca supports this Fellowship via an independent grant. WONCA retains full responsibility for the programme design, content, and implementation.

This initiative is part of WONCA’s wider mission to strengthen family medicine and ensure that strong, community-based primary care remains at the heart of better health outcomes worldwide. By investing in young family doctors and supporting practical, locally relevant NCD work, the fellowship aims to build lasting impact in communities across all regions.

Read more about the fellowship and application process for fellows here:

WONCA Young Family Doctors NCD Fellowship - Fellows

Read more about the mentor role and application process here:

WONCA Young Family Doctors NCD Fellowship - Mentors