Edward Boyle Medical Electives grants help medical students at UK ACU member institutions undertake an eligible elective overseas. The current call offers six grants of up to £1,000. The elective must be in a low- or middle-income Commonwealth country.
Applications close on 24 November 2026 at 15:00 UTC. Eligible elective dates run from 1 March 2027 to 31 January 2028. This guide explains the institutional letters, budget limits and official MyACU application route.
Edward Boyle Medical Electives Details
This is a targeted medical-elective grant rather than a scholarship for an entire medical degree. The applicant’s home institution and the proposed destination both need to meet the published conditions.
The ACU page links its membership information and guidance for checking the destination category. Confirm those two points before requesting letters, since a strong application cannot replace basic eligibility.
Provider | Association of Commonwealth Universities |
|---|---|
Applicants | Medical students at a UK ACU member institution |
Destination | Eligible low- or middle-income Commonwealth country |
Awards | Six grants |
Maximum value | £1,000 per grant |
Elective window | 1 March 2027–31 January 2028 |
Application deadline | 24 November 2026, 15:00 UTC |
Stay Updated with Scholar Gem
Follow Scholar Gem for verified scholarship, fellowship, and education updates.
Always recheck the official source before submitting an application.
Grant Value and Budget Restrictions
Each successful applicant can receive up to £1,000. The current competition has six grants, so applying and meeting the eligibility rules do not guarantee an award.
Applicants are responsible for applicable taxes, duties or levies connected with payment. The call states that the total project budget, including such costs, must not exceed the stated maximum, so show a realistic compliant budget.
Eligibility for Edward Boyle Medical Electives
You must be a medical student at a UK ACU member institution. Studying medicine elsewhere does not automatically satisfy the home-institution requirement.
The elective must be based in a low- or middle-income Commonwealth country, as defined by the OECD DAC list of ODA recipients. Its dates must fall between 1 March 2027 and 31 January 2028, so check the placement calendar with the host.
Letters and Application Preparation
The current call requires a support letter from the applicant’s institution. It also requires a letter from the proposed host institution for the elective, making early communication with both institutions useful.
Read the linked FAQ and application guidance before completing the form. Use the questions in the MyACU application form for project details and budget information.
How to Apply for Edward Boyle Medical Electives
Applications are submitted through the official MyACU system linked from the grant page. Existing account holders can access the form through the platform, while new applicants must register first.
Follow the registration email to log in before opening the application. Allow time to collect both letters and complete the budget so that last-minute account or document problems do not prevent submission.
Deadline and Other Health or Study Funding
The application deadline is 24 November 2026 at 15:00 UTC. That is the grant application deadline, distinct from the later permitted elective dates.
A related option for students in life-sciences degrees is the EPFL Summer Research Program, an eight-week research placement in Switzerland. It is a separate programme with its own eligibility rules, so check its requirements independently.
Frequently Asked Questions
Eligibility depends on the home institution, destination and elective dates together. A qualifying placement alone is not enough if the applicant does not meet the student-status rule.
The official MyACU form remains the final source for submission details.
Is this for any medical student worldwide?
No. Applicants must be medical students at a UK ACU member institution.
How many grants are available?
The current call lists six grants of up to £1,000 each.
Can an elective outside the Commonwealth qualify?
The published call requires a low- or middle-income Commonwealth destination.
Are both institution letters required?
Yes. A support letter from the current institution and a letter from the proposed host are required.
Which time applies to the deadline?
The official page specifies 15:00 UTC on 24 November 2026.
Conclusion
Edward Boyle Medical Electives grants offer focused support for eligible overseas placements. The application is strongest when the home institution, host and budget are clearly aligned with the call. Both letters and the eligible placement window deserve early attention.
Prepare the MyACU submission before 24 November at 15:00 UTC. Keep your project budget within the published limit. Read the official guidance again before submitting the final form.
