The Association of British Neurologists' annual Undergraduate Prize is open to all current UK medical students, with three categories of entry and a £200 prize in each. Entries are a written account of work undertaken since entering medical school (not a previous degree project), submitted online as a Word document, and the prize aims to encourage an interest in neurology. The ABN cannot offer feedback to unsuccessful applicants.

The Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh invites medical students to submit a 250-word case report with a clear learning point for its Medical Trainees Conference (Leeds and online, 26 February 2027). The highest-scoring medical student submission is invited to give an oral presentation, and other strong entries may present moderated posters and compete for the poster prize, which is awarded on the day. Cases must suit a general medicine audience and patient or family consent (ideally written) is required. The deadline is 9am UK time on 11 November 2026.

The International Journal of Medical Students runs this online conference on 10 and 11 July 2027, giving medical students and recent graduates a platform to present research and receive structured academic feedback. At least one author must be a current medical student or a physician within three years of graduating, and abstracts are peer reviewed. Submissions open on 1 April 2027 and close on 10 May 2027 (11:59pm Eastern Time); a submission fee applies to each abstract.

The Society for the Social History of Medicine awards one prize each year for the best original, unpublished essay on the social history of medicine. It is open to undergraduate and postgraduate students, including medical students, who are registered at the deadline or who graduated during 2026. Essays must be written in UK English and submitted anonymised, and entries close on 1 February 2027.

The Royal College of Radiologists funds five bursaries of up to £300 each for UK clinical undergraduate medical students taking an elective in clinical radiology, in the UK or abroad. One bursary is reserved for an applicant carrying out a research or quality improvement project during their elective, and recipients must report to the RCR afterwards. Applications usually open in January and close in early March, so check the RCR website for the exact 2027 dates.

Twice a year the British Society for Dermatological Surgery sets a title and format on a dermatological surgery topic (recent rounds have asked for a poster) and awards £300 to the winning submission. It is open to anyone with medical student status at the time of application, or who graduates that year, and winners may be invited to present at a BSDS meeting. Recent rounds closed on 31 January and 31 July, so check the BSDS page for the next title and date.

The Medical Women's Federation runs an annual essay competition for undergraduate medical students, with a £100 prize and an invitation to present the winning essay at the MWF Spring Conference. Entrants write 600 to 800 words on a set question (the 2026 question was 'Are women in leadership born or made?') and do not need to be MWF members. The competition usually opens in December and closes in March, so watch the MWF website for the 2027 question and deadline.

The British Society for Clinical Neurophysiology offers an annual £500 prize for a case-based essay of up to 3,000 words by a UK medical student. The 2026 title asked how neurophysiology assisted in the diagnosis or management of a patient, and the first or lead author receives the prize. The 2026 round closed on 31 July, so expect a similar summer deadline for 2027 and check the BSCN website for details.

The British Society of Physical and Rehabilitation Medicine (BSPRM) hosts its annual Medical Student Essay Prize to encourage students to explore rehabilitation medicine as a specialty. Entries are open for 2026, with submissions invited to address key themes in physical and rehabilitation medicine. The prize awards cash, recognition, and engagement with the BSPRM academic community — an excellent way to develop academic writing and engage with an often-overlooked specialty.

The Medical Schools Council and General Medical Council have partnered to run the 2026 Medical Student Competition, inviting students to create social media content, vlogs, podcasts, or blogs addressing bystander intervention and professional behaviour in medicine. Students can work individually or in teams of up to six, with prizes of £600 (grand prize) and £200 (runner-up). Submissions close midday on 7 October 2026, with winning content shared nationally across UK medical schools.

The Royal College of Pathologists runs two annual essay competitions opening in January 2027: the Hugh Platt Foundation Prize for foundation doctors aspiring to specialise in pathology, and the Paola Domizio Undergraduate Essay Prize for medical, dental, and biomedical science students. Both competitions award £250 cash prizes and publication in The Bulletin. Register your interest on the RCPath website to be notified when the 2027 competitions open.

The British Thoracic Society Winter Meeting is one of the UK's leading respiratory medicine conferences, held annually in London. Medical students with research in respiratory medicine are invited to submit abstracts for the 2026 Winter Meeting, with opportunities to present posters or oral presentations to leading respiratory physicians. Successful presenters may also be eligible for student bursaries to attend the conference.

The British Association of Dermatologists Annual Meeting is the premier dermatology conference in the UK, welcoming abstract submissions from medical students and trainees with research in any area of dermatology. Accepted abstracts are presented as oral or poster presentations, providing invaluable conference experience and networking with leading dermatologists. Medical students with an interest in skin disease, clinical research, or aesthetic medicine are encouraged to submit.

The Association of Breast Surgery Annual Meeting 2026 invites abstract submissions from medical students and surgical trainees with research in breast oncology, surgery, or reconstruction. ABS also offers dedicated bursaries to help medical students attend the meeting regardless of available funding. An outstanding opportunity for students interested in surgical oncology to present their work and connect with leading breast surgeons.

UCL's Faculty of Population Health Sciences offers paid undergraduate summer internships in child health, epidemiology, and global health, working alongside leading researchers at one of the world's top universities. Medical students gain experience in population health research, statistical methods, and academic writing — skills that transfer across all specialties. Applications typically open in early spring each year for summer placements; check the website to register your interest.

Health Data Research UK runs an annual Black Internship Programme providing paid placements in health data science for Black undergraduate students, including those studying health-related degrees. Participants gain hands-on research experience across partnering institutions, a supportive peer community, and mentorship from leading researchers. The 2027 programme will open applications in early 2027 — register your interest now on the HDR UK website.

The RCS England Elective Prize awards up to £500 to clinical medical students at UK medical schools planning a surgical elective in a developing country during the 2026/2027 academic year. A separate PKK & SK Elective Fellowship offers up to £1,000 for electives specifically in India. Applicants must be a fully paid affiliate member of RCS England and pursuing a career in surgery. Applications open in summer 2026 via the RCS England Flexi Grant portal.

The Society of British Neurological Surgeons (SBNS) offers up to 14 bursaries of £500 each to UK undergraduate medical students undertaking elective placements in neurosurgery. Placements typically last 2–4 weeks at a UK or international neurosurgical centre. Applicants submit a one-page statement, a medical school reference, and a letter of agreement from the host unit. Successful recipients provide a short report after the placement and may have their work showcased on the SBNS website.

The Royal College of Physicians offers bursaries of up to £500 to medical student members undertaking overseas electives. Applicants must have been a student member of the RCP for at least six months before applying. The scheme reopens in late Autumn each year — check the RCP website from November onwards for the next application window.

Outstanding medical students are nominated annually by their Head of Paediatrics or Undergraduate Lead for this RCPCH prize. Winners receive full registration at the three-day RCPCH Annual Conference and attend the prize ceremony hosted by the RCPCH President, gaining access to networking opportunities with paediatric trainees, consultants and specialists. Nominations are submitted via individual medical schools — contact your Head of Paediatrics to find out how your university nominates.

Guts UK and the Falk Foundation award annual prizes to medical students with a research interest in gastroenterology, hepatology or pancreatology. A £1,000 essay prize is available to students who completed an intercalated degree in these fields, while four £1,500 prizes are awarded to students currently in a full-time science degree focusing on these areas. The next round is expected to open in November 2026 with a deadline around February 2027.

The British Society of Gastroenterology awards bursaries of up to £500 to medical students undertaking elective placements abroad in gastroenterology or hepatology. Free BSG student membership is available to all medical students interested in the field, and membership is required to apply. Applications typically open in the autumn — check the BSG website from September 2026.

The Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Glasgow awards six scholarships of up to £1,000 each year to medical students undertaking a 4–6 week overseas elective. Applicants must be affiliate members of the College and be enrolled at a UK or Republic of Ireland university. Applications typically close in November for electives taking place the following year, with successful candidates announced in January.

Abstract submissions open for the RCEM Annual Conference 2027 (13–15 April, Manchester). Top abstracts invited for oral or poster presentation. All presenters eligible for 20% conference registration discount. Contact events@rcem.ac.uk.

The British Society for Gynaecological Endoscopy provides awards and bursaries to support education, research and professional development in gynaecological endoscopy. Funding opportunities are available for consultants, SAS doctors, GP hysteroscopists, doctors in training, nurses and paramedics who are BSGE members.

Annual essay competition for UK undergraduate medical students and FY doctors on perinatal mental health. Prize: £150 + free conference registration to the annual Perinatal Psychiatry Faculty conference. Run by the Royal College of Psychiatrists.

Annual essay competition encouraging medical students to engage with themes in the psychiatry of intellectual disability. Submit to intellectualdisability@rcpsych.ac.uk by 1 December each year.

Annual essay prize promoting excellence in volunteering and international psychiatry. Up to 3,000 words. Prize: £200 + VIPSIG Annual Conference attendance. Runner-up: £100. Open to medical students, foundation trainees, and psychiatry trainees. Submit to sigs@rcpsych.ac.uk.

Annual essay competition on spirituality in relation to psychiatry. Up to 5,000 words. Prize: £300 + SPSIG conference attendance. Open to medical students and psychiatry trainees. Run by the RCPsych Spirituality and Psychiatry Special Interest Group.

Awarded annually to the best essay on a designated ENT topic. Open to undergraduate medical students and foundation trainees.