ASiT x RCSEng Foundation Essay Prize 2025

We are delighted to announce this year’s ASiT Foundation Essay Prize!

Essays of no more than 1500 words should explore the following title:

"Is the UK Foundation Programme adequately preparing surgeons of the future?"

Eligibility:

• All entrants must be ASiT members and is open to those at an appropriate and equivalent level for candidates who have not yet entered a formal surgical training position post-medical school, including locally employed doctors, trust grade, F1s, F2s and F3s, etc.
• Essays should be written in Arial size 12 font, double-spaced and referenced in the Vancouver style.
• The total word count should not exceed 1500 words (excluding the cover page and reference list).
• Applicants should include a cover page detailing their full name, ASiT membership number, Foundation
• Programme year (or equivalent), region, and email address. The rest of the submission must not have any identifiable information about the submitter.
• The use of generative AI or any form of NLP is strictly forbidden. Please check the box at the end of this form to confirm that this work was strictly created by you for the purpose of this essay competition, and that no other party contributed.
• Plagiarism is strictly forbidden. Please check the box at the end of this form to confirm this essay has not been submitted elsewhere (for a previous project, poster, publication, write-up or presentation).

Prizes generously provided in collaboration with our sponsor RCSEng:

1st Place: Essay published in RCSEng Bulletin Journal, £200
2nd Place: 25% discount for entry to the RCSEng Basic Surgical Skills Course
3rd Place: 25% discount for entry to the RCSEng Basic Surgical Skills Course

Please note: Equivalent prizes may be substituted depending on availability. All prizes are non-transferable and non-exchangeable. ASiT will share the contact details of the prize details with RCS.

For the winning entry, publication in the Bulletin is subject to the essay being approved by the Bulletin Editor. For second and third placed entries, the discount will only apply to BSS courses in the Bjorn Saven Centre at the College in London that have places available at the time of enquiry. Accepting a place on a course also accepts RCS England’s cancellation terms as per its terms and conditions. Courses must be booked by 30 June 2026. All prize winners who have not yet passed their MRCS Part B will be awarded complimentary affiliate membership with RCS England for one year. This must be redeemed through the RCS England membership team by 31 December 2026. Please note: prize winners who have already passed MRCS Part B are not eligible for this offer. Other terms and conditions may apply.

Failure to adhere to any of the eligibility criteria above will result in automatic disqualification of your application.

The deadline for submissions is 23rd November 2025, 23:59 (GMT)

We look forward to receiving your entries!

If you have any queries, please email edwardjstaniforth@gmail.com (Dr Ed Staniforth - ASiT Foundation Doctor Representative)