UKCGG Essay competition 2026

Essay Title:

Centralised or devolved: Which works best?

In this essay we invite you to explore the opportunities and the challenges of centralised versus devolved care models for delivery of cancer genetic services. Your essay could explore perspectives on topics such as genomic data, commissioning models, laboratory testing or direct clinical care including how we might deliver assessment, surveillance and other risk reducing interventions for enhanced genetic cancer risk. You should explore the pros and cons of centralising versus devolving at this pivotal time in NHS Genomic Medicine services or other nationally funded healthcare systems.

We welcome entries from the UK and Republic of Ireland from the following groups. There will be a winner from each category.
Medical students
Resident doctors (any training grade from FY1 to ST8)
Genetic counsellor STPs and current MSc students
Genomics Laboratory Clinical Scientist STPs/trainees

The winner in each category will receive a prize of £100.
The overall winner will also be invited to present their winning essay virtually at the UKCGG Winter Meeting on 3rd December 2026.
All winning essays will be published in full on the UKCGG website.

Please spread the word to your trainees and students!

Please send completed entries in Word format to Hannah.Musgrave@nhs.net making sure to include "UKCGG Essay Competition" and the appropriate entry category in the subject header.

Deadline for entries: By midnight 30 September 2026.
Essays no more than 2500 words.