The International Relations Committee of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) has announced the availability of one traveling fellowship to each of the following countries in 2016: Australia and New Zealand (ANZ), Germany, and Japan. Applications for these awards are due November 15, 2014. Applicants may apply for more than one scholarship, but must supply separate essays for each location.
Purpose
The traveling fellowships are intended to encourage an international exchange of information concerning surgical science, practice, and education and to establish professional and academic collaborations and friendships.
These are exchange fellowships; for example, a U.S. or Canadian ACS Traveling Fellow will visit Japan for the annual meeting of the Japan Surgical Society, and a Traveling Fellow from Japan will visit the U.S. for the Clinical Congress.
Basic requirements
The traveling fellowships are available to Fellows of the ACS in most surgical specialties who meet the following requirements:
- Have a major interest and accomplishment in basic sciences related to surgery
- Hold a current full-time academic appointment in Canada or the U.S.
- Are under 45 years of age on the date their application is filed
- Are enthusiastic, personable, and possess good communication skills
Activities
The traveling fellows are required to spend a minimum of two to three weeks in the countries they visit. While in the country they are visiting, they are expected to engage in the following activities:
- Attend and participate in the annual scientific meeting of the host country:
- Royal Australasian College of Surgeons, Brisbane, Australia (May 3–6, 2016)
- Germany Society of Surgery, Berlin (April 26–29, 2016)
- Japan Surgical Society, Osaka (April 14–16, 2016)
- Participate in the formal convocation ceremony of that annual meeting
- Attend and address the local ACS chapter meeting during that annual meeting
- Visit at least two medical centers in the country before or after the annual meeting to lecture and share clinical and scientific expertise with the local surgeons
The academic and geographic aspects of the itinerary will be finalized in consultation and mutual agreement between the Fellow and the President or designated representative of the local chapter of the ACS. The surgical centers to be visited depend to some extent on the special interests and expertise of Fellows and their previously established professional contacts with surgeons in their selected country.
Spouses are welcome to accompany successful applicants. There will be many opportunities for social interaction in addition to these professional activities.
Financial support
The College will provide a dollar amount yet to be determined at press time, which will cover the scholars’ expenses. The awardees must meet all travel, living, and registration expenses. Senior chapter representatives will consult with the Fellows about the centers to be visited, the local arrangements for each center, and other advice and recommendations about travel schedules. The Fellows are advised to make their own travel arrangements in North America to take advantage of reduced fares and travel packages for travel overseas.
The ACS International Relations Committee will select the three Traveling Fellows after review and evaluation of applications. Personal interviews may be requested prior to the final selection.
The closing date for receipt of completed applications for all three destinations is November 15, 2014. The successful applicants and alternates will be selected and notified by March 2015.
Send applications for this scholarship in the form of a single PDF to kearly@facs.org or via post to: International Liaison Section, American College of Surgeons, 633 N. Saint Clair St., Chicago, IL 60611-3211.
