Introduction

The Royal College of Psychiatrists is keen to attract high calibre doctors to the specialty of psychiatry and to foster good attitudes towards psychiatry and the College as a whole.

The Psychiatry Trainees' Committee (PTC)  is pleased to offer bursaries for medical students and foundation doctors looking for financial support with their electives in psychiatry or to undertake research in the UK or overseas.

There are 11 bursaries which are offered in the following three types of activities:

To undertake an elective in psychiatry

• £150 per week for a maximum of 8 weeks (total £1200)

To undertake a period of research on a psychiatry related topic

• £150 per week for a maximum of 8 weeks (total £1200)

To prepare a research presentation

• £100 for submissions in the UK
• £150 for submissions abroad

Regulations

I. The bursaries are open to undergraduate medical students enrolled on a full time course of studies in medicine at a medical school in the UK or foundation doctors training within the two year UK Foundation Programme.

II. All applicants must be Student Associates of the College.

III. The bursaries are intended to cover travel, accommodation, subsistence and fees (if applicable) to further study, to widen academic research skills or to undertake voluntary clinical experience relevant to psychiatry.

IV. The applicant should submit the following:

• A current curriculum vitae
• An essay or a written proposal of the elective or research project (no more than 1500 words)
• The names and contact details of two referees, one of whom should be the applicant’s personal tutor or lead tutor.
• Confirmation from the medical school that s/he is currently enrolled on a course of medical studies, issued by the Dean’s Office.
• Confirmation from the medical school stating that elective has been granted or that the research project has been approved.

Please note only applications from eligible candidates will be considered.

Selection criteria

I. The awarding panel consists of:

• The Dean
• The Chair of the Psychiatric Trainees' Committee (PTC)
• The Vice-Chair of the Psychiatric Trainees' Committee (PTC)

II. The awarding panel considers the following:

• Written applications of no more than 1500 words, to describe the nature of the elective, research project or research presentation.
• Bursaries will be used solely by the successful applicant and not be shared.
• The successful applicant will be required to submit a brief report on the elective or research project within a year of completing it. Additionally, applicants might be asked to present their report at the College Annual Meeting.
• If none of the applicants is of sufficient merit, the bursary will not be awarded.
• The bursary may not be received on more than one occasion by the same applicant.
• fThe panel’s decision is final.

Closing Date

Applications for bursaries regarding electives and research to take place in 2012 should be submitted to Rebecca Sheridan by 5pm on Friday 16 March 2012 (deadline extended).