September 30, 2025 | Past Recipients |
Purpose
The goal of this Traveling Fellowship is to promote interaction and learning among SSAT Members working in academic practice environments with gastrointestinal surgeons in academic practice in other countries.
Description
One fellowship, every other year, will be awarded to an SSAT Member to visit a limited number of academic Gastrointestinal Surgical Units in other countries for a period of two to three weeks. The Traveling Fellow is expected to observe procedures in the operating room, as well as to accompany the host faculty member(s) on patient rounds and clinic / office sessions and to attend and participate in relevant research, service, and teaching conferences of the host institutions. Accompaniment by Spouse / Family is encouraged. The travel period may be continuous or divided into segments.
Criteria
- Must be an SSAT Member
- Must be in academic practice (preference will be given to those within 10 years of their initial academic appointment, but all interested members are encouraged to apply)
- Submission of an itinerary which outlines visits to two to four academic gastrointestinal surgical units located outside the applicants own country
- Coordination of the time of travel with a major international meeting in the geographic vicinity of the institutions to be visited is encouraged. For example, the International Society of Digestive Surgery World Congress, International Society of Surgery, the International Hepato-Pancreatic-Biliary Association, or the SSAT
- Must comply with the application process and submit all required materials as described in the Fellowship Application Process section
- If selected, the Fellowship must be accepted or declined by within one week of the Fellowship recipient receiving notice of award
- At the conclusion of the fellow's travel, the fellow will submit a brief report to the Education Committee including a description of the experience and offering observations and highlights as well as opportunities for improvement
- Must be certified by the American Board of Surgery or a similar accrediting college/board in the surgeon's own country
Conditions of Fellowship
The selected fellow will contact potential sponsorship institutions and make arrangements to complete the fellowship between January 1 - December 31 of the academic year following the announcement of the Fellowship. If the selected fellow requires assistance in contacting host institutions the Education Committee will provide such assistance.
Stipend
A stipend of up to $10,000 will be provided to the Traveling Fellow to defray reasonable costs for travel, lodging, and meals. Additional support for family members will not be provided.
Expenses will be reimbursed by the Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract Treasurer upon receipt of the Traveling Fellows report and summary of expenses.
Timeline
September 30, 2025 | Application Submission Deadline |
October | Applications reviewed by the Education Committee |
October-November | Notification to Applicants |
January 1 to December 31 | Term of Award (One Year) |
Please note the timeline of reviewing and notifying applicants is estimated and dates may vary slightly.
Questions
If you have any additional questions please contact the SSAT office at 978-927-8330 or Email SSAT
Please note that this is now an on online process, and only online applications will be considered.