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My 12-week journey on the Data Science Accelerator Programme

I am delighted to share that applications are now officially open for the next cohort of our flagship Data Science Accelerator Programme, running from 13 July to 9 October 2026. Find out more by reading a brilliant blog by Tejal Indulkar about her experience.

The Data Science Accelerator Programme is open for new applicants and mentors for the next cohort running from 13 July to 9 October 2026.

As an applicant, you will have the opportunity to develop your data science skills through a project of your own design. As a mentor, you will support an applicant in developing and completing their project.

The closing date for applications is 19 June 2026.

Tejal's blog below gives a fantastic insight into the data science accelerator programme and what you can expect.

To apply as a applicant/mentee or mentor, please complete the relevant application form on the left and send it to datascience@dhsc.gov.uk. The scheme is open to anyone working within DHSC, NHS BSA, and NHS England.

For more information about the scheme, please click the button below or join one of our dedicated drop-in sessions, details of which are also available on the right.

My 12-week journey on the Data Science Accelerator Programme

I recently had the opportunity to take part in the Data Science Accelerator Programme, a collaborative initiative between NHS England and DHSC, and I can confidently say it has been an incredible journey.

Starting from scratch

Before joining the programme, I had no experience in machine learning. Like many analysts, my work had largely focused on traditional data analysis. The world of data science felt new and, at times quite daunting. Over the 12 weeks, that completely changed.

The programme gave me exposure to a wide range of concepts, terminology, and techniques that I had never encountered before. More importantly, it helped me understand what the future of analytics might look like, particularly how machine learning and automation can be applied in real-world settings to support decision-making and improve services.

Learning with the right support

One of the standout aspects of the programme was the level of support available throughout.

Both the NHS England and DHSC data science teams were incredibly approachable and supportive, creating an environment where it felt safe to learn, experiment, and ask questions.

I was also fortunate to be paired with a mentor from NHS BSA, who was brilliant. He took the time to truly understand my project and supported me every step of the way. Having someone patiently guide me through unfamiliar tools and concepts made a huge difference to my confidence and progress.

Through the programme, I was introduced to tools and practices such as:

  • GitHub for version control
  • RAP (Reproducible Analytical Pipelines) principles
  • Structured approaches to building and deploying data science models.

Because I was applying these directly to a project I cared about, it made the learning much more meaningful, and much easier to grasp.

Building confidence in data science

For many analysts, data science concepts can feel unfamiliar and complex at first. I really appreciated how the programme recognised this. The weekly workshops were relaxed and informal, which made it easy to ask questions without hesitation. Over time, this helped build not just knowledge, but also confidence. It wasn’t just about learning theory, it was about understanding how to apply these methods in practice.

My project: Supporting patient triage

As part of the programme, I developed a project focused on the NHS Digital Weight Management Programme. The aim was to create a tool to support the triaging of patients to the most appropriate level of intervention. For this, I:

  • Built a model using random forest techniques
  • Applied RAP principles to ensure reproducibility
  • Used GitHub for version control — something completely new to me

This project allowed me to bring together everything I had learned and apply it to a real-world healthcare challenge, which made the experience even more valuable.

Bringing it all together

The programme concluded with a fantastic wrap-up event in Leeds, where all participants presented their work as posters.

It was inspiring to see the breadth of projects and ideas across the cohort. Looking at what others had achieved really highlighted the “art of the possible” with data science in healthcare.

The event also included insightful sessions on AI and machine learning, which helped place our individual projects into a wider strategic context.

What happens next

One of the most exciting outcomes for me has been the continued interest from the NHSE data science team in supporting the productionisation of my model.

Seeing something that started as a 12-week learning project potentially being developed into something that could support a live programme is incredibly rewarding.

Final reflections

Overall, this has been a hugely positive experience. The programme has:

  • Opened my eyes to the potential of data science
  • Given me practical skills I can apply in my work
  • Built my confidence to explore new tools and techniques

For anyone considering applying in the future, especially if you’re new to data science, I would highly recommend it. You don’t need prior experience, just curiosity and a willingness to learn. It’s an opportunity to step outside your comfort zone and discover what’s possible.