The Visiting Elective Scholarship Program supported by the UCSF School of Medicine was established to encourage fourth year medical students who are either underrepresented in medicine, disadvantaged, have demonstrated a commitment to working with underserved populations, OR have demonstrated a commitment to working with issues related to diversity, equity, inclusion (DEI) to apply for a clinical elective at UCSF. The scholarship program provides up to $2,000 and is designed to:

• Expose fourth-year medical students to an academic training program.
• Promote student interest in applying to an academic residency training program.
• Provide faculty and housestaff mentorship during the clinical elective experience.

Clinical electives are four weeks in length and are available, space permitting, to U.S. visiting students only. VESP participants are assigned a faculty advisor and have the opportunity to network with UCSF faculty, housestaff, and students. A diversity dinner with faculty and housestaff is held during each rotation. In addition, all participants are invited and encouraged to attend various seminars and lectures including those offered by the UCSF Office of Diversity and Outreach and the UCSF Multicultural Resource Center.

• Fourth-year U.S. medical students who are underrepresented in medicine, disadvantaged, have demonstrated a commitment to working with underserved populations, OR have demonstrated a commitment to working with issues related to DEI are encouraged to apply.
• Only students enrolled at an affiliated LCME-accredited institution or COCA-accredited AACOM member institution may apply**.
• UCSF does not accept international students for clinical experiences.
• Student must be in good academic standing at an accredited US medical school.
• Students must be applying for a visiting elective based at one of the San Francisco Campuses (Electives at BCHO-Oakland, UCSF Fresno, or Highland hospital do not count)
• Requirements for the UCSF School of Medicine’s clinical electives must also be met. Please thoroughly read the specific elective information listed on the AAMC VSLO website. You can also find UCSF Department-specific information at the Department Contact & Elective Info website.
• If you are applying for a scholarship for electives in Emergency Medicine, General Surgery, Radiology, Orthosurgery, or Urology please apply through the links below and NOT the primary VESP Application link:
  • Emergency Medicine VESP Application
  • Radiology VESP/REDR Application
  • Orthosurgery VESP APPLICATION
  • Surgery VESP Application 
  • Urology VESP Applicaiton

Complete the online VESP application using the link below*:
(*Paper applications not accepted)

VESP Online Application

Please refer to the information below for the submission requirements (Requirements reference PDF):

• An official academic transcript from your school of medicine (electronic preferred)
• Recent CV which you can upload directly on the Qualtrics website when you apply for the VESP
• Letter of recommendation on official letterhead from a faculty member in your department of interest

**Please note: Students MUST also apply to the clinical elective program of their choice through the UCSF School of Medicine. Students MUST apply to the VESP before their rotation begins in order to be considered. 

Please refer to the link below for more information on the UCSF Visiting Student electives:

UCSF Visiting Student Program

• If you are applying for a scholarship for electives in Emergency Medicine, General Surgery, Radiology, Orthosurgery, or Urology please apply through the links below and NOT the primary VESP Application link:
  • Emergency Medicine VESP Application
  • Radiology VESP/REDR Application
  • Orthosurgery VESP APPLICATION
  • Surgery VESP Application 
  • Urology VESP Applicaiton

Scholarships (up to $2,000 each*, to be used toward visiting student elective fees, transportation costs, and lodging) will be awarded on the basis of:

• Interest in pursuing a career in academic medicine
• Interest in working with underserved populations
• Commitment to issues related to diversity, equity, and inclusion
• Leadership
• Community service
• Academic achievement as indicated by transcripts, letter of recommendation, etc

(*Scholarships are awarded on a rolling basis.  Funds are awarded upon completion of the elective. Receipts must be submitted for reimbursement.)