Dear Members, 

The Association of Otolaryngologists in Training (AOT) is pleased to announce the launch of two new travelling fellowship grants. These grants have been established to support trainees participating in projects and learning from first-hand experience of ENT delivery in other parts of the world, providing funding for travel and accommodation up to £1,000 each.

Successful applicants will assist in the delivery of their chosen project under the guidance of the supervising team.

Grant project opportunities include:

1. Paediatric Hearing Loss in Malawi
   Dates:January 2027 – Date TBC
   Supervisor: Ms Isobel Fitzgerald-O’Connor
2. Endoscopic Ear Surgery Course and Community-Based Tympanoplasty in Malawi
   Dates:November 2026
   Supervisors: Mr David Strachan and Prof Mahmood Bhutta
3. University of Cape Town Clinical Observership, South Africa
   Dates:Up to 1 month in 2027 (May–Oct availability)
   Supervisor: Prof Johan Fagan

 

Eligibility:

Applicants must be ST5 or above at the time of application and an AOT member (membership is free via aotent.org).

Application Requirements:

• Online application responses
• Shortened CV (max 5 pages)

 

Purpose

To support AOT members to contribute to and gain experience from ENT delivery in other parts of the world, and to foster relationships with local partners and AOT.. This opportunity is funded by AOT.

 

Funding

£2,000 per year in total

Awarded as 2 × £1,000 grants per year. Ring-fenced funding confirmed (£4,000 total available over the next two years, as £2,000 allocated last year)

Timeline (proposed)

Applications open: end of January 2026 (after committee meeting)

Applications close: April 2026

Shortlisting & review: April–May 2026

Announcement: AOT Conference 5 June 2026

 

Eligibility (to confirm)

Open to AOT members (membership is free)

Selection panel

AOT President, Vice-President and Global Health Grant Representative, with

1–2 invited members from ENT UK Global Health Committee (for transparency and future collaboration on proposed projects).

Selection criteria (suggested)

Clear long-standing interest in global health and/or medical education

Applicant’s skillset will benefit local partners and/or contribute to longer term relationships or capacity building

Consideration: Applicant’s previous attendance at AOT conferences or events, and/or committee

Application process

Short application form (online), accessed via the AOT member’s area

Applicants to rank their preferred project/placement (1-3)

Provide shortened CV (maximum 5 pages) alongside answering the following questions:

• Please outline any previous involvement or interaction you have had with AOT (200 words)
• Please outline your previous experience and interest in global health (250 words)
• Please outline your previous experience and interest in medical education (250 words)
• How will your skillset contribute to the success of the project/placement? (150 words)
• What do you hope to learn from being part of the project/placement? (150 words)