Fellowship Program

Program Overview

Fellowship Programs are advanced, structured clinical training pathways designed for licensed medical specialists seeking sub-specialty training. Fellowship training provides supervised, competency-based clinical experience to deepen sub-specialty expertise and support fellows in preparing for independent practice, academic practice, or further advanced training.

The Department of Health – Abu Dhabi (DoH) oversees all Fellowship Programs offered across accredited healthcare facilities in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. All fellowship applications must be submitted through the DoH application portal during the specified annual application window.

How to Enroll in Fellowship Program

• Application is available annually from 1^st March – 31^st March
• Start the application here

Who Should Apply

• Licensed medical specialists seeking advanced sub-specialty training in Abu Dhabi
• UAE nationals, UAE-trained graduates, and eligible international graduates

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet all of the following minimum requirements:

1. Educational Qualification

Hold a medical degree from an accredited institution.

2. Specialization Certification

• Valid primary Board specialization certificate from a Tier 1 or Tier 2 specialization board
• Time between completion of residency training to obtaining the specialization board certification must be less than 5 years

3. Time Since Graduation, Practice Discontinuity and Age

Applicants must meet the following limits based on the time elapsed since graduation and must not have any gap of practice:

Required Documents

Documents Required for All Applicants

1. Passport copy (valid for at least 6 months)
2. Emirates ID (if available, valid for at least 6 months)
3. Recent passport-style photograph (white background)
4. Graduation certificate and academic transcript
5. Curriculum Vitae (CV)
6. Internship completion certificate
7. Residency completion certificate
8. Board Completion Certificate

9. Valid professional license
10. Good Standing Certificate (issued by the health regulatory body that issued the professional license)

Additional Documents (Where Applicable)

11. For children of Emirati mothers:
    • Mother's passport
    • Mother's Emirates ID
    • Mother's family book
    • Applicant's birth certificate
12. Male UAE nationals must provide proof of completion or exemption from National Service.

Note: Additional documents may be requested during the review process.

How to Apply

1. Create or log in to your TAMM account
2. Complete the Fellowship Program application form
3. Upload all required documents (ensure all documents are accurate and valid)
4. Sign and attach the Applicant Declaration Form
5. Submit the application before the published deadline

Selection and Matching Process

Applications are processed through a structured, DoH-regulated matching system:

1. Online Application
   Applicants submit their application and required documents.
2. Eligibility Verification
   DoH reviews academic credentials, documents, and eligibility category.
3. Shortlisting & Interviews with Training Facilities
   Eligible applicants may be invited for interviews by accredited training facilities. Attendance is mandatory to be considered for matching.
4. Matching & Allocation
   Applicants are matched to available fellowship posts based on eligibility, preferences (where applicable), and availability of seats at accredited facilities.
5. Offer Issuance & Enrollment
   Matched candidates receive a fellowship offer specifying the training facility and start date. Offers must be accepted within the specified timeframe, followed by program orientation.

Successful applicants will receive onboarding instructions from the assigned training facility. Fellows are expected to comply with all DoH regulations, institutional policies, and professional conduct standards.

Application Timeline – MEAD 2026

The application process involves application submission, eligibility screening, interviews, and final matching. A detailed application timeline is published annually. Dates may vary.

Additional Program Conditions

• Certain fellowship programs may be restricted to UAE national applicants only, based on workforce needs and policy priorities.
• Program-specific eligibility restrictions are determined annually and will be clearly indicated during the application process.
• Non-UAE nationals may apply to a maximum of three fellowship programs per application cycle.
• Change of fellowship for active fellows is not permitted.

Approved Fellowship Programs

Fellows train exclusively in DoH-approved and accredited healthcare institutions and programs. Applicants may select preferred training facilities during the application process on the e-portal.

Fees & Sponsorship

• No application fee is charged by DoH
• Employment contracts and related agreements are completed directly between the fellow and the assigned training facility
• Training facilities may have additional onboarding requirements
• Visa sponsorship arrangements depend on applicant category and training facility