Undergraduate elective funding
The medical student elective can bring enormous benefits for a successful career in anaesthesia, pain, medicine and intensive care medicine.
Applications are invited from medical students studying in Great Britain and Ireland (subject to confirmation of eligibility) to apply to the Association for funding towards a medical student elective period taking place between the eligible dates. Overseas students should ensure that they are permitted to apply for charitable funding. Grants will only be awarded to applicants who intend to spend time away from their base academic institution, and whose travel, accommodation and subsistence costs are increased as a result.
Preference will be given to those applicants who can show the relevance of their intended elective to anaesthesia, intensive care or pain relief. A key focus of the Association is support for projects in the developing world, hence elective placements supporting work in developing countries are given priority.
The Association is keen to support medical student elective placements which:
- Prepare students for a successful career in anaesthesia, pain, peri-operative, and intensive care medicine
- Help to develop a student’s interest or passion that can then make an impact on patient care both at the time and in the future
- Are well organised with consideration of personal safety, patient safety, appropriate supervision (both clinical and non clinical) and with support in place in the event of any difficulties
To complete your application you will need to supply:
- Your personal details
- Details of visiting centre and dates of attendance
- A description of experience to be gained and projects to be performed (500 words max)
- Information about why you have chosen this specialty (200 words max)
- The amount of funding applied for
- Details of any other funding applications you have made.
Amount per applicant - Up to a maximum of £750 (broken down into travel and accommodation)
Eligibility criteria - You must be a medical student studying in Great Britain or Ireland
Frequency - x2 a year
Funding partners - Association of Anaesthetists
Eligible dates: For undergraduate elective funding applications taking place between 1 November 2025 and 30 April 2026. Applications will not be considered if the start of the elective commences before 1 November 2025 or after 30 April 2026.
| Key dates:
|
| For electives taking place between
|
Applications close
|
| 1 November 2025 - 30 April 2026 (start of elective must not commence before 1 November 2025 or after 30 April 2026) |
23:59 Wednesday 20 August 2025 |
| 1 May 2026 - 31 October 2026 (start of elective must not commence before 1 May 2026 or after 31 Octiober 2026) |
to be advertised |
Applications are assessed by a panel of undergraduate elective assessors and members of the Research & Innovation Committee using the scoring criteria. All applications are blinded to reviewers.