The CWIG Traveling Fellowship Scholarship is an annual, one-month educational opportunity for early-career surgeons or those new to pectus surgery who are actively engaged in pectus surgery and wish to expand their experience through mentorship at established CWIG centers worldwide. The scholarship, generously funded by AEGIS MEDITECH, provides travel and housing support for the selected fellow for up to one month. 

The award covers international or domestic travel to an institution (or institutions in a region) for up to four weeks to learn a novel technique, adapt innovative technology, and/or foster collaboration among surgical investigators to advance pectus surgery at the recipient’s home institution. The successful applicant will have a record of excellence in training and academic achievement.
 

Participating centers have agreed to host the visiting surgeon for one to two weeks, providing exposure to both the operative and clinical aspects of pectus care. Fellows will observe or participate in patient evaluation, perioperative management, and surgical repair, depending on the policies and permissions of each host institution. Each participating center will assist the fellow with the necessary application process to serve as either an observer or an active surgical participant.
 

Applicants may choose to pursue a fellowship with a mentor selected from a list of mentors and fellowship opportunities provided by CWIG.

Eligibility

• The applicant must be a thoracic or pediatric surgeon who has completed a program leading to certification by the Board of Thoracic Surgery or Pediatric Surgery or by an equivalent certifying body in the applicant’s country of residence, or who will be certified by the grant start date.

• Applicants are preferred to be within 5 years of their first faculty appointment; however, exceptions can be considered.

• Surgeons who devote their professional efforts to the subspecialty of pectus surgery.

• Applicants must have a complete and unrestricted license to practice medicine in their respective geographic area and have no action pending that could adversely affect the applicant’s qualification for staff privileges at any hospital.

• The applicant should be able to communicate in English.

Application Requirements

• Career & Personal Goals (750 words)

• Applicant CV

• One (1) Letter of Support from CWIG Executive Board: The letter should confirm (a) the availability of an adequate training environment/educational experience that will provide the proposed training and (b) his or her agreement to serve as a mentor.

• One (1) Letter of Support from the Department Chair at the applicant’s home institution, allowing the fellow to be absent for one month

• Chosen mentor site or sites

• Budget (approximate breakdown of funding costs)

• Note that a visa and appropriate international travel materials may be required after the award is issued.

• Every fellow must be a CWIG member or become a member before their term.

• Fellows must complete a written document of their experience and attend the CWIG annual meeting to present a summary within one month of completing the fellowship.

• Fellows must complete a post-fellowship survey at the end of their experience.

Fellowship Sites