International Chapters & Surgical Organizations in Africa

The International Relations Committee of the American College of Surgeons (ACS) is pleased to announce a special opportunity for international ACS Chapters provided by the Dr. Pon Satitpunwaycha Fund. The International Opportunity Fund (Dr. Pon Fund) will allow international chapters or other eligible organizations to create a local educational course that includes faculty from the ACS.

To support ongoing strategic partnerships between the ACS and institutions in the regions of its international chapters, applications from non-ACS chapter organizations are eligible for the 2024 round of funding. All applications must be co-sponsored by an official International Chapter of the College or an organization in an ACS Chapter region.

The goals of this competitive grant program are:

To promote surgical education to the international surgical community.
To encourage the active involvement of the international chapters and other institutions in ACS activities.

Eligibility

Subject to the quality, merit, and requirements of each proposal, either a single grant in an amount of up to $25,000 or two grants in an amount up to $12,500 each will be awarded.
Preference will be given to low-resource countries as defined by the World Bank.
Preference will be given to proposals from chapters and other eligible institutions (as defined above in paragraph 2) that demonstrate additional funds from other sources.
An international chapter or other eligible institution (as defined above in paragraph 2) may use the grant to present the ACS General Surgery Review Course or to develop other surgery-focused courses in its home country.

Application Information

The grant is intended to cover necessary costs, such as the travel expenses of ACS faculty who will teach the course. The grant is not expected to cover all expenses related to course material, venue rental, AV equipment, or food; therefore, chapter/institutional funds should be used to support those expenses.
All proposals must be made by an officer of an international ACS chapter or senior leader of an eligible institution (as defined above in paragraph 2).
All Proposals should be submitted electronically at the link provided below.
International chapters/eligible institutions will submit an application consisting of the following, in this order, submitted as a single PDF document:

1. The title of the proposed course.
2. A description/purpose of activity explaining why such a course is needed in the country, the targeted audience (e.g., surgeons, trainees, nurses, other), and learning objectives. The audience should include medical students and surgical trainees. In addition, the estimated size of the audience should be included in the proposal.
3. Duration of the course (at minimum 1 day) and the proposed date.
4. Course format (e.g., lectures, hands-on sessions, other). Submission of a preliminary program is required.
5. Names of proposed faculty, both local and international. International faculty will ideally represent 50–60 percent of the faculty. U.S.-based ACS Fellows will ideally represent 40–50 percent of the faculty.
6. A conflict of interest form must be submitted for each faculty member.
7. Costs for the course itemized by category (e.g., travel, materials, etc.).
8. A letter of support from the organizing institution or university.
9. It is appropriate for chapters or eligible institutions to apply for this award as a matching fund to their own contribution.

Award Obligations

Preference will be given to proposals that can be replicated.
The awardee(s) must demonstrate ways it will encourage surgical trainees and medical students to attend and participate in their event.
A detailed report of activities must be submitted at the conclusion of the event. In addition, a detailed financial breakdown of grant use is required.

Applications are now open. The deadline to apply is December 13, 2024.

Apply Today

Additional documents and questions are to be directed to the Scholarships Administrator: scholarships@facs.org or Scholarships Administrator, American College of Surgeons, 633 N. Saint Clair St., Chicago, IL 60611-3295.

Opportunity for International Chapters & Surgical Organizations: Develop an ACS-Based Education Course