Medical Elective

Definition of a Medical Elective

The Diabetes UK Medical Elective scheme enables undergraduate medical students to gain experience and training in research into diabetes during the elective period of their studies.

Research Electives can be held in the United Kingdom or worldwide.

Financial support

Support of up to £250 may be requested. This may be used towards the cost of travel and other expenses.

Eligibility

Applicants must be medical undergraduates applying for support during the elective period of their studies. Applicants must have a plan of their proposed research with a research question and outcomes. Applications will only be accepted from undergraduates enrolled at an institution based in the United Kingdom.

Deadlines

Applications should be submitted no later than three months before the intended date of travel.

How to apply

Applications should be submitted by the student and must include the following:

  • A completed application form which can be downloaded on the right.
  • A letter of acceptance from a supervisor at the host institution at which the elective will take place.

Administrative processes

Applications will only be accepted if in the format of the application form. Applications are not sent for peer review. Decisions will be made by the office based on the assessment criteria outlined below.

Assessment criteria

Applications are judged on the following criteria:

  • The clarity of the research question
  • Relevance of project to diabetes
  • A clear interest in the field and the work of Diabetes UK
  • Strong support from the UK and host institutions
  • Strong support from the UK and host institutions.