Guidelines

Restrictions & Eligibility

1. Under the scheme four medical schools are invited to apply they are: University College London, University of Nottingham, University of Liverpool and Penisula College of Medicine & Dentistry.
2. Medical schools should note that the applications they submit must be for students who are UK citizens and who have successfully completed the first year of their undergraduate medical degree
3. Medical schools should note that the Foundation does not fund overseas students, medical electives, volunteering, part time study or gap year projects
4. The trustees wish to identify and assist particularly gifted or talented undergraduates who are struggling to support themselves financially through medical school.
5. It is a mandatory requirement of the Foundation that a personal or family link with commerce is established for an application to be considered. To qualify the applicant, the applicant’s parents or grandparents must have worked in or owned a commercial business. This does not include professional people i.e. doctors, accountants, architects, solicitors, etc. Supporting documentation may be required. Details supporting this link will be requested on the application form.
6. The Trustees give preference to applications that will ultimately benefit the United Kingdom and its communities.

Timing

Grants are annual, with applications considered by the Trustees in May each year. Applications must be submitted by the medical schools online through the Foundation’s website by the 31 March. Applications submitted after this date will not be considered. The Foundation will notify both the school and the applicants of the outcome of their application in June.

Value

Each medical school is considered for a maximum grant of £20,000. It is the up to the school to decide how this grant is divided between one and a maximum of five students. Schools do not have to submit five applications, the grants do not need to be divided equally and nor does the full grant have to be claimed. For example, a school may wish to submit just one application for the full £20,000, or may submit up to five applications for a combined total of £20,000 or less.

Payment

Grants are paid directly to the individual usually in September of the year awarded. For larger grants, it may be necessary to split the award into two payments up to 6 months apart. 

Applying Again

Previous grant recipients and those who were unsuccessful in previous rounds can reapply via their Medical School however; there is no guarantee of repeat funding.

Monitoring

It is mandatory that all grant recipients submit a progress report to the Trustees; this will be in the March following the start of the academic year for which the grant was awarded.

How to Apply

• Medical schools should discuss this funding opportunity with potential applicants individually and provide them with the Foundation’s Application Form and Guidance Notes for Applicants.
• All applicants must complete the application form and provide a personal statement of no more than 1 side of A4 paper outlining their career ambitions/intentions and why they are seeking financial assistance from the Foundation.
• These documents must be returned to their medical school contact.
• It is then at the discretion of the medical schools to shortlist applications on an equal weighting of academic ability and financial need.
• Those shortlisted should be submitted to the Foundation via the online form on our website.
• The Dean (or appropriate person) should provide a letter of recommendation to accompany the student’s application. Applications should be placed in priority order indicating the sum requested to a maximum combined value of £20,000.
• The medical school must submit all online applications with attached letters of recommendation on behalf of the candidates by 31st March.

Any general queries about the process should be addressed directly to the Administrator at the Foundation; all contact details are on the Contact Us page

Please note: all fields marked required in the online applications form must be filled out before an application can be saved.

Online applications should be submitted by the Medical School by 31 March.

The application form for completion by applicants can be downloaded at the top right of this page.