Purpose

‍The purpose of this international traveling fellowship is to facilitate the continuing education of a deserving young faculty surgeon. The award is to be used for international travel to another institution for 4-16 weeks for the purpose of learning a novel technique, adapting innovative technology and/or fostering collaboration between surgical investigators in order to further the progress of cardiothoracic surgery at the recipient’s home institution. The successful applicant will have a record of excellence in training and academic achievement. He/she will have secured a position at a host institution, and a mentor capable of providing continued growth and development in the realm of cardiothoracic surgery.

Eligibility

• The applicant must be a cardiothoracic surgeon who has completed a program leading to certification by the American Board of Thoracic Surgery or its equivalent in a country outside of the United States, or who will be certified (or eligible for certification) by the grant start date (January 2024), and who is within seven years of their first faculty appointment.
• Surgeons who have achieved appropriate certification or recognition of their achievements in cardiothoracic surgery, and who devote their professional efforts to the interests of the specialty.
• Applicants must have a full and unrestricted license to practice medicine in his or her respective geographic area, and have no action pending which could adversely affect the applicant’s qualification for staff privileges at any hospital.

Award Amount‍

Awards of $23,200 US Dollars for 4-16 weeks will be granted to support a cardiothoracic surgeon for this fellowship. The first award payment (75%) will be distributed at the time of award notification. The second and final grant installment (25%) will be made upon completion of a satisfactory progress report, which will be approved by the TSF/FFF Award Committee. This award of $23,200 US Dollars will be used to defray the travel and living expenses for the fellowship period.

TSF/FFF Awards Selection Committee

• TSF President
• FFF President
• Two (2) STS Representatives
• Two (2) EACTS Representatives

Application Requirements

• Biographical Information
• Personal Goal
• Career Goal
• Education Environment at Host Institution
• Mentor/Convenor Information

Required Application Materials

• Biographical Information
• Applicant CV
• Mentor CV (Restricted to one page CV / biography / NIH Biosketch / or equivalent)
• One (1) Letter of Support from Mentor: The letter should confirm: (a) the availability of adequate training environment/educational experience that will provide the proposed training, and (b) his or her agreement to serve as mentor.
• Budget (approximate breakdown of funding costs)
• Visa and appropriate international travel materials

Mentor/Convenor

• Applicant is responsible for selection of his/her mentor.
• Applicant is responsible for securing a position with the mentor at the host institution.
• Mentor must be an STS or EACTS member.

Timeline

• Application Open: July 1, 2024
• Application Deadline: September 15, 2024
  
• Applicants Notified of Award or Regrets: December 2024 - January 2025

See full award timeline here.