Funder: Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract
Due Dates (Anticipated): September 2027 (Application deadline)
Funding Amounts: Up to $5,000 USD per recipient for travel, lodging, and meals; one-year fellowship
Summary: Supports paired US and international early-career surgeons in a surgical exchange and travel to Digestive Disease Week.
Key Information: Applicants must be board-certified surgeons in clinical/academic practice within seven years of completing GME training.
Description
The Society for Surgery of the Alimentary Tract (SSAT) offers this exchange to pair a US surgeon with an international surgeon, broadening both members’ expertise through shared surgical experiences. The program particularly encourages participation by surgeons from low- and middle-income countries. Funding supports attendance at Digestive Disease Week (DDW) and a visit to the recipient’s exchange country.
The exchange also aims to identify potential leaders within SSAT global chapters and help them develop their roles in their countries’ chapters. Recipients share their experiences with the wider membership through a podcast interview and a written perspective, with potential publication in JOGS. A panel session at SSAT/DDW provides another opportunity to discuss the exchange and encourage collaboration between US and international members.
