AO Spine Europe and Southern Africa fellowship program 2023 for Surgeons

AO Spine Europe and Sub-Saharan Africa (AOSESA) short-term fellowship program provides additional experience in surgical techniques for fully trained orthopedic and neurosurgeons interested in spine surgery

Application Deadline: 30th June 2022

About the Award: The purpose of an AOSESA fellowship is to provide additional experience for trained orthopedic and neurosurgeons interested in spinal surgery. It is the responsibility of the host Spine Center to ensure that the fellow becomes conversant in the principles, indications, planning, techniques and complications of spinal surgery and develops the hands-on surgical skills for general spinal practice. Fellows are expected to enthusiastically immerse themselves in all aspects of the program offered by the host center.

Type: Fellowship

Eligibility: Successful candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Be a current member of AO Spine
• Be a spine physician (or in-training, but at least in the 4th year as resident in the specialty), or specialized in orthopedics, neurosurgery, or trauma surgery with a strong interest in spine surgery.
• Speak and understand English, or the local language where the AO Spine Center is located.
• Submit a complete online application form and required documents in time (1–31 May)
• Have previously participated in at least 5 hours of AO Spine education (including hands-on courses, seminars, local seminars, Global Spine Congress, webinars)
• Have not participated in any other AO fellowship within the past three years (from the date when the application is handed in)

Eligible Countries: European & Southern African countries

To be Taken at (Country):

• Short-term fellowships are offered in official AO Spine certified Spine Centers (further details on the AO Spine website), namely hospitals or clinics throughout the regions.
• Applicants must choose and prioritize a minimum of 3 Spine Centers, which increases their chances of being accepted. However, the final decision regarding choice of AO Spine Center will be made based on the number of applications and availability of the AO Spine Center.
• A fellowship cannot take place in an AO Spine Center where the fellow already works, or in a hospital that is no certified as AO Spine Center.

Number of Awards: Not specified

Value of Award:

• An AOSESA stipend will be transferred to the bank account of the fellow on a monthly basis at the beginning of each month. If a regular bank transfer is not possible, additional fees (e.g. for a Western Union transfer) will be deducted from the fellow’s stipend. The stipend is
  calculated based on the current World Bank Purchasing Power Parity in order to cover the costs for food and accommodation in the host country. All travel expenses are the responsibility of the fellow.
• To receive the monthly stipend, the fellow must send financial documents certifying how the grant has been spent, and educational feedback showing the progress of the fellowship (her/his activities) and the mentoring process. Incomplete or unsatisfactory documentation may be a cause for termination of the grant.
• If family or hotel housing is required, arrangements must be made privately by the fellow himself (AO Spine will not provide any support in arranging accommodation). This can be expensive, and AOSESA cannot cover such additional expenses

Duration of Award: AO Spine offers short-term fellowships that range in duration from 2 weeks up to
8 weeks. In case the fellow would like to do a 12-week fellowship, the additional 4 weeks must be self-financed by the fellow and approved individually by the Spine Center.

How to Apply: Please send your application and required documents by Applying here.

• It is important to go through all application requirements in the Award Webpage (see Link below) before applying.
• GOODLUCK

Visit Award Webpage for Details