International Volunteer/OOPTE Grant 

For long-term voluntary work in developing countries, generally longer than one month. If additional funding is required for a visit already in receipt of an IRC grant, a new form should be completed.

If a visit lasts more than six months, reports will be submitted to IRC at intervals of not more than six months in addition to the final report.

The safety of applicants and participants must be considered in all projects. Funding for projects and travel will only be considered where the submitter can demonstrate that due diligence has been followed regarding the trip. We advise all applicants to review the guide for doctors volunteering abroad ahead of submission.

All applications will be scored against the IRC scoring criteria. Funding partners may require that the applicant is a current member of the relevant organisation to receive grant funding.

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Submission deadline: 23:59, Wednesday 24 June 2026

Amount per applicant - Up to a maximum of £20,000

Eligibility criteria - You must be a UK-based or Ireland-based, qualified anaesthetist 

• All applicants must be anaesthetists based in Great Britain or Ireland.
• All applications must be fully submitted electronically prior to the deadline stated on the Association of Anaesthetists website.
• Applications will not be considered retrospectively, please ensure you apply for funding before the start of your visit/project.
• The safety of applicants and participants must be considered in all projects. Funding for projects and travel will only be considered where the submitter can demonstrate that due diligence has been followed regarding the trip.
• Those holding resident/trainee appointments should have a consultant (or equivalent) as referee, and may require RCoA approval for out of programme experience. It is the responsibility of the applicant to organise this.
• Applications from charitable organisations or NGOs must be submitted in the name of the organisation not the individual. Evidence is required of other funding applied for and to be raised
• Applications for project funding should demonstrate sustainability and explain how the benefits of the project work will be maintained in the future
• Applicants must ensure they have completed the form in full and attached all of the requested documentation
• UK faculty are expected to contribute to their own travel costs (50%), in line with the principles applied to IRC grants
• Accommodation/subsistence funding will be provided for in-country costs only
• Charitable financial contributions to other charities or organisations are excluded from funding applications
• Applicants may only apply for one grant per project.

Frequency - twice a year

Funding partners - Association of Anaesthetists, Paediatric Critical Care Society, Regional Anaesthesia UK, Royal College of Anaesthetists, Society for Intravenous Anaesthesia, and World Anaesthesia Society 

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