The Faculty of Forensic Psychiatry Prizes and Bursaries

The John Hamilton Travelling Fellowship 

This travelling fellowship is awarded from funds bequeathed by Dr John Hamilton, past Honorary Secretary of the then Forensic Section, and College Fellow.  Dr Hamilton trained and worked in Edinburgh before he took up a post as senior lecturer in forensic psychiatry at the Maudsley Hospital, and consultant forensic psychiatrist at Broadmoor Hospital. He went on to become Medical Director at Broadmoor until his untimely death. He visited Russia as a representative of the College and was particularly keen on the development of forensic psychiatry services in other countries. This travelling fellowship is intended to encourage psychiatrists working in the field of forensic psychiatry to broaden their knowledge and experience through travel to recognised forensic centres.  Proposals to visit developing forensic services in order to support, advise and teach will also be considered.  Though not essential, candidates may wish to pursue a research topic or a comparative study. Visits are expected to be no longer than two to four weeks.

Prize:  £2,000

Frequency:  Biannual - next award 2015

Eligible: Applicants must hold the MRCPsych and be either on an approved higher training scheme in forensic psychiatry, or hold a consultant forensic psychiatrist post.

Where presented: Faculty residential meeting, usually held in February each year

Regulations:

I.         Applicants must work in the UK or the Republic of Ireland.

II.       Applicants should submit the following – by email:

a)       An application form

b)       Two references

c)       A detailed proposal as to how the time abroad and funds will be spent

d)        Information about the host centre, with confirmation that the proposal is acceptable to them

e)       An identified supervisor at the host centre

f)        Confirmation from the employing authority that study leave will be granted if the applicant is successful.

III.     A panel of forensic psychiatry assessors nominated by the Faculty Chair will    award the Fellowship.

IV.      The successful candidate will be expected to submit a report to the Faculty Chair.

Application form:  Download application form

Closing date: 31 October 2014

Submissions to:  By email to Stella Galea, Committee Manager

The Medical Student Essay Prize in Forensic Psychiatry - 2014

The Faculty of Forensic Psychiatry is offering a £300 prize for an essay of 5000 words (footnotes and appendix should be included in the word count but the bibliography can be an addition) on any topic related to forensic psychiatry. The essay should be researched from relevant literature and based on theory. Essays which are written around clinical cases are not eligible. The examining committee may decide in certain circumstances that an oral examination is necessary.

Some examples of possible topics:

1. Does mental illness cause violence?
2. Are men more violent than women? If so, why?
3. Is public protection a proper. role for a mental health service?
4. Are sexually abused children more likely than others to develop mental disorder and/or criminality?

Linked with this essay prize, the Forensic Faculty sponsors up to four medical students to attend the annual residential conference (to be held in February each year). Sponsorship will include registration for the full conference, attendance at the conference dinner and up to £250 to cover travel and subsistence. Students who have submitted the best essays will be offered this sponsorship and the winner will be announced at the conference dinner.

Please submit essays by email attachment with a short curriculum vitae marking the email “Forensic Faculty Medical Student Essay Prize”.

Prize: £300

Frequency:  Annually

Eligible:  Medical Students from UK or Republic of Ireland medical schools who submit the essay before graduation or no longer than 3 months after graduation.

Where presented:  Faculty residential meeting, usually held in February each year

Regulations: 

I.     The prize will be advertised in the Student BMJ in the spring preceding the year of award.

II.    The Faculty has agreed that each year the winner(s) of the essay prize will be included as guest(s) at the Faculty annual conference.  The prize itself will be presented during the Faculty's business meeting held during this conference.

Closing date: 31 October 2013

Submissions to: Stella Galea, Committee Manager                                        

Bursaries  

Bursary to attend National Forensic Psychiatry Trainee Conference

The Faculty of Forensic Psychiatry offers bursaries for up to ten UK or Republic of Ireland medical students to attend the 2013 National Forensic Psychiatry Trainee Conference to be held on 3 and 4 October in Bristol.

Bursaries include registration fee, conference dinner and up to £250 to cover standard class travel and subsistence. 

Applications: Applications should be sent by email and should include a brief statement of why you would like to attend the meeting, a letter of support from a Faculty member together with a current concise curriculum vitae sent as email attachment. 

Eligible: Medical students from the UK or Republic of Ireland or recent graduates

Closing date:  31 July 2013

Submissions: To the Faculty of Forensic Psychiatry, the Royal College of Psychiatrists

College contact: Stella Galea, Committee Manager 

Bursary to attend the Forensic Psychiatry Annual Residential Meeting

The Faculty of Forensic Psychiatry offers bursaries for up to four UK or Republic of Ireland medical students to attend the Faculty Residential Conference. Successful applicants may have submitted entries to the essay prize, have a poster accepted at the conference or otherwise demonstrated an interest in forensic psychiatry.

Bursaries include registration fee, conference dinner and up to £250 to cover standard class travel and subsistence. 

Applications:  Applications should be sent by email and should include a brief statement of why you would like to attend the meeting, a current concise curriculum vitae sent as email attachment and a letter of support from a Faculty member. 

Eligible: Medical students from the UK or Republic of Ireland or recent graduates

Closing date: 31 October  2013

Submissions: To the Faculty of Forensic Psychiatry, the Royal College of Psychiatrists

College contact: Stella Galea, Committee Manager