ASCRS Travel Scholarship

Dear Doctor:

The ASCRS, through its International Council of Coloproctology, has made available up to 6 Scholarships per year to assist those currently training in colorectal surgery in countries outside the United States and Canada to attend the annual scientific meeting of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons.

Currently, each award will be funded to a (maximum) total value of $US 3000 on a matching arrangement. This will consist of (up to) $US2000 provided by the ASCRS provided the amount is matched by $US1000 derived through the applicant’s (home) national colorectal society (or similar organization). Thus ASCRS will provide funding on a 2:1 basis. Confirmation in writing will be required from that (national) organization.

The Scholarships will consist of funding to support attendance at the next annual meeting of the ASCRS and will be supplemented by free registration for the meeting and a free subscription to Diseases of the Colon and Rectum for the following 12 months.

1. Completed application form
2. Two letters of recommendation, one from the current President or official nominee (such as Secretary) of the relevant National Society of the country of origin or the country in which he/she is training (essential), which guarantees the matching support. The other from the Chairman of the Department in which the candidate is currently working.
3. A current activity profile
4. List of publications, research work (completed or in progress) and presentations given/suitable for presentation.

Applications for the Scholarships must be received in the office of ASCRS no later than March 31.

All submissions must be in English and typewritten (preferably submitted in the first instance electronically to allow review and time to resolve any matters of clarification). Incomplete or illegible applications will not be considered.

Please submit your application to the following address:

Graham Newstead MB BS,
Chairman ICCP
American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons
85 West Algonquin Road – Suite 550
Arlington Heights, IL 60005
Phone: 847-290-9184
Fax: 847-290-9203
E-Mail: ascrs@fascrs.org

Yours sincerely,

Graham L Newstead MB BS
Chairman
International Council of Coloproctology
ASCRS

Purpose:

To provide opportunities for further education for colorectal surgeons in training by attendance at an annual scientific meeting of the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons. The Scholarships are intended for those who are undertaking colorectal surgical training within an accredited colorectal training program or whose colorectal training is being undertaken in a colorectal specialist unit in a country in which the specialty is still in development but in which there is a national society or specialist grouping for the purposes of supervision and support.

Eligibility:

The candidate should:

• Have completed general surgical training and be currently involved in a program of specialized colorectal surgical training.
• Be able to demonstrate a commitment to a practice in specialized colorectal surgery.
• Have a guarantee of one third funding support from within his/her national colorectal society, organization or acceptable specialized group.
• Be available to undertake the Scholarship at the next meeting of the ASCRS

The candidates are encouraged to submit a podium or poster presentation for consideration for inclusion in the program for the meeting.

Selection Process:

The candidate should:

• Be proposed in writing by the current President or official nominee (such as Secretary) of the relevant National Society of the country of origin or the country in which he/she is training or by the senior colorectal surgeon in the national specialty grouping (essential), and in which the matching (one third) funding support is guaranteed.
• A further reference of recommendation is required from the Chairman of the Department in which the candidate is currently working.
• Provide current and complete curriculum vitae.
• Write a letter stating background, ambitions within colorectal surgery, his/her need for the Scholarship and benefits which might result from the award.

The applications will be

• Reviewed by Council of ICCP and those recommended for selection referred to Council of ASCRS for confirmation.
• Matching guarantees will be confirmed before final offers are made.

The Scholarships:

• Currently, each award will be funded to a (maximum) total value of $US 3000 on a matching arrangement. This will consist of (up to) $US2000 provided by the ASCRS provided the amount is matched by $US1000 derived through the applicant’s (home) national colorectal society. Thus ASCRS will provide funding on a 2:1 basis. Confirmation in writing will be required from the (national) organization.
• Purpose is to assist with expenses to attend the next annual scientific meeting of the ASCRS.
• The Registration fee for the meeting will be waived
• A one year subscription to Diseases of the Colon and Rectum will be provided (if the applicant does not already have access)

Responsibilities of recipients:

• Use the award to attend the meeting in the year in which it is awarded. In general the Scholarship will not be considered transferable.
• Provide a written report on the benefits of the experience (to include any suggestions) within one month following the meeting.
• Consider submitting a podium or poster presentation for possible inclusion in the program for the meeting.

Caveats:

• The Council of the ASCRS is the determining authority. In any year, the Executive of ICCP may recommend awarding a lesser number of Scholarships and modification of the funding to be offered.
• The reports provided by the recipients may be published in the Newsletter of the ASCRS.

Application

Travel Scholarship Application