Unsupported Browser
The American College of Surgeons website is not compatible with Internet Explorer 11, IE 11. For the best experience please update your browser.
Menu
Become a member and receive career-enhancing benefits

Our top priority is providing value to members. Your Member Services team is here to ensure you maximize your ACS member benefits, participate in College activities, and engage with your ACS colleagues. It's all here.

Become a Member
Become a member and receive career-enhancing benefits

Our top priority is providing value to members. Your Member Services team is here to ensure you maximize your ACS member benefits, participate in College activities, and engage with your ACS colleagues. It's all here.

Become a Member
ACS
Scholarships

International Guest Scholarships

The International Guest Scholarships offer young surgeons from countries outside the U.S. and Canada the chance to engage in clinical, teaching, and research activities across North America. Sponsored by the American College of Surgeons, this $10,000 award supports professional development and participation in the ACS Clinical Congress.

Highlights:

  • $10,000 scholarship for young international surgeons.
  • Opportunity to visit clinical, teaching, and research institutions in the U.S. and Canada.
  • Full participation in the ACS Clinical Congress.
Eligibility Criteria
  • Graduate of a medical school with completed surgical training.
  • Must have practiced, taught, or conducted research for at least one year at their permanent location post-training.
  • Must demonstrate a strong commitment to teaching and/or research.
  • Preference for early careerists over senior academic appointees.
  • Preference for those without prior U.S. or Canadian training/fellowships.
Location
  • Applicants must be from countries outside the United States and Canada.
  • Applications must be submitted from the applicant’s intended permanent location.
Age

35 to 49 years old at the time of application submission.

Application Requirements
  • Fully completed application form (available on ACS website).
  • Curriculum vitae (CV) – CV submission alone is not acceptable.
  • List of all publications.
  • Three complete publications (reprints or manuscripts) from the list.
  • Three independently prepared letters of recommendation:
    • One must be from the department chair or a Fellow of the ACS in the applicant’s country.
    • The letter must detail the applicant’s teaching and academic involvement.
  • All materials must be submitted in English.
Essay

Not required, but academic and teaching commitment must be evident in the application.

Letter Requirements
  • Three letters of recommendation.
    • One must be from a department chair or an ACS Fellow.
  • Letters must be submitted directly by the recommenders.
Award Obligations
  • Scholarships must be used in the designated year (cannot be postponed).
  • Recipients must submit a written report after completing their visit.
  • Unsuccessful applicants may reapply only twice, with new applications and documentation.
Progress Reports

One post-visit report is required.

FAQ
  • Deadline: July 1 (for the following year’s Clinical Congress).
  • Congress Dates: September 26–29, 2026 (Washington, DC).
  • Contact: scholarships@facs.org | 312-202-5161
  • Mailing Address: Scholarships Administrator, American College of Surgeons, 633 N. Saint Clair St., Chicago, IL 60611-3295

The selection of the surgeon will be by mutual agreement between the ACS Division of Member Services and the International Relations Committee.

Contact

Questions may be directed to the ACS Scholarships Administrator at 312-202-5161 or by email to scholarships@facs.org.