Travelling Fellowships

James IV Association of Surgeons Traveler Guidelines

The James IV Travelling Fellowship is designed to promote communication and collaboration in the surgical community. Travellers are both ambassadors representing their home countries, and conduits for the dissemination of knowledge. It is expected that travellers will promote collegiality and collaboration amongst our community of surgeons. Many of our previous travellers have gone on to become outstanding surgical leaders.

Members of the Regional Associations are invited to nominate potential candidates for James IV Travelling Fellowship on an annual basis. Guidelines and timelines for each group can be found within the ‘Regional Groups’ section of the website by selecting the appropriate group.

US Traveler Guidelines:

The Fellowship covers a four week period and pays a flat stipend of $15,000. The Association recognizes that the stipend does not fully cover all costs of travel and it is expected that the traveler’s home institution will also contribute. The Fellowship is ideally suited to young academic surgeons who are at the stage in their career to benefit from international exposure. Typically travelers will be at the assistant to associate professor academic rank, have distinguished themselves in terms of their academic achievements, and be considered emerging leaders in surgery. Travelers have often commented that this experience was one of the highlights of their careers.

The candidate’s home institution must guarantee availability to travel for a period of up to four weeks within a two year period. The award may be one four week trip, or two, two-week trips, over a period of two years. Travelers are announced at the annual James IV Association of Surgeons, Inc., General Members meeting held during the annual American College of Surgeon’s Clinical Congress, in the fall. The Traveler’s timeline begins in January, three months following the fall award announcement.

Candidates may choose a travel itinerary that best meets their needs in terms of their own career development. Travelers should visit sites that have a James IV member to serve as a host.

Requirements

The following information will be required for the nomination to be considered:

• Personal statement from the candidate describing their goals for travel
• Curriculum Vitae (short version) and bio
• Digital picture
• Letter of Recommendation from department chair/head, confirming support of traveler, and time away
• Seconding letter from a James IV active member
• Other letters of support from James IV active and senior members are welcome

In the letters, it is useful to include descriptions of how the proposed travel will facilitate the nominee’s career goals and how the candidate will foster relationships within the surgical community.

Candidates are selected at the association’s annual fall meeting during the American College of Surgeon’s Clinical Congress.

United States nominations:

Nominations are made by surgical chairs or nominees’ department head, or a James IV Member. We invite potential applicants to contact their chair/department head or a James IV member to discuss the possibility of a nomination, and seek advice as they construct their application.