4 Best Sources to Get Medical Elective Grants in US

Last Updated on January 31, 2024 by Lori Pace

Medical Elective Grants in US

Medical electives are vital for medical students as they enrich the learning experience and allows them to stand out early in their medical training. This initiative will also enable students to discover their strengths, decide their career path, and reveal how they choose their electives. This article will provide more information about 4 best sources to apply for medical elective grants in the US.

Continue reading to learn more about the top medical elective grant programs available for US medical students. Also, find out the criteria and application process.

Best Sources of Medical Elective Grants in the US

1 – AAMC Visiting Student Learning Opportunities (VSLO)

Association of American Medical Colleges offers Visiting Student Learning Opportunity (VSLO), which provides short-term learning opportunities for medical and public health students at locations far from their schools. This program is open to all students in medical or public health programs at accredited universities/medical schools around the world.

Students can become observers and participate in summer research programs. They also have the opportunity to find clinical opportunities, rotate to other institutions, do clinical rotations, and find other visiting opportunities.

There may be differences in the eligibility criteria for medical electives offered under the VSLO program. After completing the application, you must submit it to your home institution for verification. After the application has been verified, it is sent to your host institution for approval.

2 – Mayo Clinic College of Medical and Science Visiting Medical Student Electives

The Mayo Clinic is without doubt the most well-known healthcare and medical organization in the country. Medical students have a wide range of electives available. It places students who are eligible with host institutions to improve their skills and gain experience. In short, students selected by the Mayo Clinic Visiting Medical Student Elective Program can, for example, choose from a variety of clerkships and then apply to electives at prestigious medical centers in Arizona, Florida, and Minnesota.

Mayo Clinic receives more than 1,400 elective applications annually for approximately 600 elective positions. Eligibility criteria include assessing the applicant’s medical school transcript grades and USMLE Step 1 score. They also need to consider competitiveness and availability of space. For more information on the Mayo Clinic’s Visiting Student Clerkship program, visit the AAMC-Visiting Student Learning Opportunities website.

Mayo Clinic College Of Medical And Science Visiting Medical Student Electives

3 – UCSF Visiting Elective Scholarship Program

For medical student rotations, the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF), Department of Emergency Medicine has the Visiting Elective Student Program. This program encourages fourth-year medical students to apply for the UCSF Emergency Medicine (EM 140.0) rotation. This initiative awards up to $ 1,500 to the applicants.

These are the aims of this medical grant.

  • Fourth-year medical students from underrepresented backgrounds are able to access an academic-grade training program in medicine
  • Promotion of student interest in emergency medicine residency programs

The VESP clinical rotation lasts for four weeks. It is available to US visiting medical students according to their availability. So, to be eligible for the VESP medical elective grant, the applicant must meet the following requirements:

  • Fourth-year US visiting medical student.
  • Students whose ethnic or cultural identities are not adequately represented in medicine include students with disabilities, students with disabilities, students of disadvantaged families, and students who are the first generation to attend college.
  • Must excel academically at a US accredited medical school. 
  • Meet the criteria for the UCSF School of Medicine’s clinical electives criteria

After you have completed the VESP form, it is reviewed and approved. The deserving applicants are then offered medical elective grants.

Ucsf Visiting Elective Scholarship Program

4 – George Washington University’s International Clinical Electives Program Scholarship

George Washington University offers the International Clinical Electives Program Scholarship to third and fourth-year medical students. This scholarship is an amazing opportunity for medical students to improve their medical education, and diversify their knowledge and experience in public health. It also strengthens their commitment to providing high-quality medical care to all patients. This program awards up to $ 2,500 to international applicants who are successful in applying.

To be eligible for the ICEPS, applicants must meet the following requirements:

  • Good academic standing for third- or fourth-year medical students
  • Preferably, enrolled in the Scholarly concentration program

The official website of George Washington University provides more information about the International Clinical Electives Program Scholarship.

Be sure to apply for Medical Elective Grants in US

These medical elective grants can be a great way to advance your medical career. So, do not hesitate to apply for the above grants to help you excel in the medical field as much as possible.

Lori Pace
Lori Pace

Lori Pace is a single mother of three daughters ages 7 and under. As a working mom from home, she balances kids, work and two crazy dogs with humor and love. Follow Lori as she honestly gives tips and advice based on her own experiences as a single mom!