Austria, Switzerland and Germany (ASG) Travelling Fellowship

Applications for 2024 are now closed. Applications for 2026 will open in 2025

The Fellowship promotes international travel for the exchange of medical ideas with a tour of Austria, Switzerland and Germany together with Fellows from the American and Canadian Orthopaedic Association. The tour will take place in Spring 2024 over 4 weeks.

History of the ASG Fellowship:

The ASG Fellowship was introduced in 1978 by the Orthopaedic Associations of Austria, Germany and Switzerland to provide an opportunity for orthopaedic surgeons from those three countries to visit North America in order to forge closer international relations. In 1981, the American Orthopaedic Association founded a reciprocal tour enabling US surgeons to visit those three countries. Over time, Canadian and British Fellows have been included in this tour.
 

The Visit:

The Fellow selected will visit orthopaedic institutions throughout Austria, Switzerland and Germany during a three to four week period.

All applicants should ensure that they are available to travel for the duration of the tour and the preliminary programme is available here.

How do I apply?

  • Applications must be submitted to [email protected] with the subject line ‘ASG Fellowship Application’ by 11 September 2023.
  • The application must consist of the following in Word (.doc or .docx) format
    • Your CV
    • A covering letter that includes:
      • BOA membership number
      • Date of consultant appointment
      • Your subspecialty interest(s)
      • Names of two referees who must be BOA Home Fellows
      • Answer the question: How do you think you would benefit from receiving the ASG Travelling Fellowship?

By applying for this fellowship, you are confirming that you have read and agree to the terms and conditions of the BOA ASG Travelling Fellowship.

Please check that the contact details held on the BOA membership database are correct, as these will be used to contact you regarding your application.

Interviews for short-listed candidates will take place on Tuesday 17th October 2023

Funding:

The BOA funds an economy return air fare to Europe. The host country sponsors all other costs incurred by Fellows during their tour.
 

Nominations:

Please note that applicants must be BOA members and must have obtained their CCT within the last 10 complete years on 1st January of the year the tour is due to commence. Please read the terms and conditions below for further information.

Applications are considered by the BOA Executive Group and there is only one place available in the UK.

Shortlisted applicants may be invited for an interview by a panel made up of members of the BOA Executive.

Terms & Conditions

Eligibility & Applications:

  1. Applicants must be current members of the BOA.
  2. Applicants who have previously applied but have been unsuccessful can apply again.
  3. Applications will not be accepted from successful candidates in the previous year’s round.
  4. The ASG Fellowship cannot be awarded retrospectively.
  5. The ASG Fellowship has specific eligibility criteria and applicants should ensure they check these carefully:
    1. Applicants must have obtained their CCT within the last 10 complete years on 1st January of the year the tour is due to commence.
    2. Applicants must be available to travel during the spring of the year following their application. The tour lasts approximately 3-4 weeks.

The Fellowship:

  1. By accepting the ASG Fellowship, the awardee agrees not to partake in any activities that will bring the BOA and/or the sponsors into disrepute.
  2. The BOA accepts no liability for the actions of the candidate while on the ASG Fellowship, or for activities related to it.

After the Fellowship:

  1. Following completion of the ASG Fellowship, the BOA requires the successful applicant to submit a report about their Fellowship:
    1. The report should be submitted within six weeks of Fellowship completion.
    2. The report should be of at least 500 words and, where possible, include some photographs.
    3. The BOA reserves the right to publish the report on the BOA website, in its publications and publicity, and for any other purposes as it sees fit.

Financial Arrangements:

  1. The BOA will be responsible for the purchasing of their flight (economy class) to the host country and the inter-rail ticket (standard class) required for the train journeys between host sites up to the maximum value of £1000.
  2. Successful applicants will be responsible for funding the costs of travelling to and from the airport which they are flying from.
  3. Successful applicants will be responsible for funding the cost of travel insurance.
  4. All other costs incurred will be met by the host country.
  5. More details on financial arrangements will be provided to successful applicants.
  6. Funds must be claimed within six months of the end of the fellowship, after which time the funds available will be reallocated to other BOA expenditure.