Purpose
The International Relations Committee of the American College of
Surgeons (ACS) is pleased to announce travel awards for surgeons
aged 30 to 50. These awards, in the amount of $4,000 each, provide
international surgeons with the opportunity to attend and participate
fully in the educational activities of the ACS annual Clinical Congress.
They are proposed to specifically assist surgeons who work in
community or regional hospitals or clinics in countries other than
the United States and Canada, or who are from struggling academic
departments of surgery in low- or middle-income countries.
Each awardee will receive gratis registration to the annual Clinical
Congress and to one available postgraduate course held during the
Clinical Congress. Assistance will be provided to obtain preferential
housing in an economical hotel in the Clinical Congress city. In
2016, the Clinical Congress takes place in Washington, DC, October 16-20.
Basic Requirements
- Applicants must be graduates of schools of medicine.
- Applicants must be at least 30 years old, but under 50, on the date that the complete application is filed.
- Applicants must submit their applications from their intended
permanent location. Applications will be accepted for
processing only when the applicants have been in surgical
practice, teaching, or research for a minimum of one year at
their intended permanent location, following completion of
all formal training (including fellowships and scholarships).
- Applicants must show evidence of commitment to high-quality surgery, to surgical teaching, and to improving
access to surgical care in their community.
- Applicants must submit a fully completed application form provided by the College on its website. The application and
accompanying materials must be typewritten and in English. Submission of a curriculum vitae only is not acceptable.
- Preference will be given to applicants who have not already experienced training or surgical fellowships in North America.
- Applicants must submit independently prepared letters of recommendation from three (3) of their colleagues.
One letter must be from the chair of the department
in which they hold a clinical or academic appointment
or from a Fellow of the American College of Surgeons
residing in their country. The chair’s or the Fellow’s letter
is to directly address the applicant’s commitment to high-quality
surgery, surgical teaching, and improving access to
surgical care locally. Letters of recommendation should be
submitted by the persons making the recommendations.
- The Community Surgeon Travel Awards must be used in the year
for which they are designated. They cannot be postponed.
- Awardees are expected to provide a written report upon their return home, specifically focusing on the
value of the visit to the awardee and the potential
beneficial effect to patients in the country of origin.
- Unsuccessful applicants may reapply only twice and only by completing and submitting a current application form provided
by the College together with new supporting documentation.
Financial Support
Each awardee will receive gratis registration to the annual Clinical
Congress and to one available postgraduate course held during the
Clinical Congress. Assistance will be provided to obtain preferential
housing in an economical hotel in the Clinical Congress city.
In order to qualify for consideration by the selection
committee, all of the requirements must be fulfilled.
Supporting materials and questions
should be directed to the International
Liaison at:
kearly@facs.org or 312-202-5021 (facsimile)
All applications for the year 2016 and all of the supporting
documentation must be received by the International Liaison prior to
July 1, 2015, in order for an applicant to receive consideration by the
selection committee. All applicants will be notified of the selection
committee’s decision in November 2015. Applicants are urged to
submit their completed applications and supporting documents as
early as possible in order to provide sufficient time for processing.
Requirements and overview
Apply online
Community Surgeon Travel Awardees (2012-2014)
Conflicts of Interest Disclosure Form