Surgeon Scientist Training Pathway

Join the Pilot

The Surgeon-Scientist Training Pathway (SSTP) is a new, national pilot program that creates a separate, matchable track allowing medical students interested in an academic career the opportunity to match directly into unique residency positions focused on developing both research and clinical skills in a longitudinal and supportive environment. The program is designed to:

Modernize the growth of surgeon-scientists
Align rigorous surgical training with sustained, competitive research development
Integrate surgeon-scientists into the larger community of physician-scientists

Utilizing the National Resident Matching Program reversion mechanism, allows an unfilled position to revert to the regular categorical track so that positions are not at risk.

Launching with the 2026–2027 Match cycle, any interested institution can join the SSTP. To join the pilot, email sstp@facs.org.

Why This Pathway Is Different

Traditional research “time-out” models—often limited to 1–2 years disconnected from clinical training—no longer meet the demands of today’s complex scientific landscape or competitive funding environment.

The SSTP introduces a longitudinal, integrated approach that allows residents to:

Develop as excellent surgeons and productive investigators at the same time
Learn how to sustain research activity alongside clinical responsibilities
Enter faculty positions better positioned for NIH K- and R-level funding
Remain engaged in discovery during the critical final years of residency

This approach mirrors successful physician-scientist pathways in internal medicine and pediatrics—now thoughtfully adapted for the realities of surgical training. The outline below illustrates how research and clinical time would be balanced throughout the program.

Years 1–3

Early Clinical Training

Years 4–5

Research Phase

Years 6–7

Final Clinical Training

Solidify mentorship team
Participate in lab meetings
Develop and submit F32 proposal
Complete responsible conduct in research training

Full-time research
Optional master’s degree or PhD
Continued mentorship engagement

Resume clinical training while sustaining research effort
Departmental support for research continuity and grant submission (K08, K99/R00, or R01)

A National Community of Surgeon-Scientists

A key innovation of the SSTP is intentional integration into the broader physician-scientist ecosystem, including:

Engagement with institutional physician-scientist development offices
Participation in focused sessions at national meetings such as:

ACS Clinical Congress
Academic Surgical Congress
American Society of Clinical Investigation, Alliance for Academic Internal Medicine, Burroughs Wellcome Fund Physician-Scientist Pathways Workshop

This is more than a training track. The SSTP is a national community committed to sustaining discovery in surgery.

Expectations and Guiding Principles

Programs are expected to provide a well-developed training infrastructure, mentors, institutional commitment, and a high-quality research environment. Mentors for trainees would include a multidisciplinary team, such as a scientific mentor, surgical mentor, programmatic leadership, and research advisory council.

Several guiding principles align across pilot programs.

Identification of extraordinary trainees for whom scientific investigation is likely to form the cornerstone of their future academic surgical career.
Individualized development planning that builds on prior scientific training with a focus on strong multidisciplinary mentorship throughout clinical training.
Postdoctoral-level immersive research experience that facilitates competitiveness for future independent career development (K) or investigator-initiated research project (R) awards.
Institutional support complemented by extramural funding mechanisms (for example, NIH T32, R38, F32 awards).
Ongoing evaluation using clear outcomes, such as publications, board performance, fellowship placement, career trajectory, and independent funding success.

Funding Model

Salary support during research years should be guaranteed through departmental or hospital funding, ideally with limited (1–2/month) clinical call obligations
Additional departmental support for late-phase over final clinical years, covering personnel, supplies, and mentor support for trainees
Pursue sustainability through institutional training grants (T32, R38) and individual awards (F32, K08, K99/R00)

Contact Us

For more information or to join the pilot, contact SSTP@facs.org.