The International Relations Committee of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) announces the availability of the Traveling Fellowship to Germany. The purpose of this fellowship is to encourage international exchange of surgical science, practice, and education, and to establish professional and academic collaborations and friendships. The ACS Traveling Fellow will visit Germany and, as part of the exchange program, a German Traveling Fellow will visit North America.
Basic requirements
The scholarship is available to a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons in most of the surgical specialties who meets the following requirements:
- A major interest, and accomplishment, in clinical and basic science related to surgery
- Holds a current full-time academic appointment in the U.S. or Canada
- Younger than 45 years of age on the date the application is filed
- Enthusiastic, personable, and possesses good communication skills
- Applicants possessing some German language skills are particularly encouraged
Activities
The Fellow is required to spend a minimum of two weeks in Germany and to engage in the following activities:
- Attend and participate in the annual meeting of the German Surgical Society in Munich, Germany, April 30–May 3, 2013
- Attend the German ACS Chapter meeting
- Visit at least two medical centers (other than the center in the annual meeting city) in Germany before or after the annual meeting of the German Surgical Society to lecture, and to share clinical and scientific expertise with the local surgeons
The academic and geographic aspects of the itinerary would be finalized in consultation and mutual agreement between the Fellow and designated representatives of the German Surgical Society and the German ACS Chapter. The surgical centers selected for a visit would depend, to some extent, on the special interests and expertise of the Fellow and his or her previously established professional contacts with surgeons in Germany.
His or her spouse is welcome to accompany the chosen applicant. There will be many opportunities for social interaction, in addition to professional activities.
Financial support
The College will provide $6,000 to the chosen applicant, who will also be exempted from registration fees for the annual meeting of the German Surgical Society.
He or she must meet all travel and living expenses. Senior German Surgical Society and ACS German Chapter representatives will consult with the Fellow about the centers to be visited in Germany, the local arrangements for each center, and other advice and recommendations regarding travel schedules. The Fellow is urged to make his or her own travel arrangements in North America, due to the likely availability of reduced fares and travel packages for travel in Germany.
The ACS International Relations Committee will select the Fellow after reviewing and evaluating the final applications. A personal interview may be requested prior to the final selection.
Applications for this traveling fellowship may be obtained from the College’s website, http://www.facs.org/memberservices/acsgermany.html, or by writing to the International Liaison, American College of Surgeons, 633 N. Saint Clair Street, Chicago, IL 60611-3211.
The closing date for receipt of completed applications and all supporting documents is April 1, 2012. The successful applicant, and an alternate, will be selected and notified by July 31, 2012.
