What is the maximum grant amount that the Foundation will fund?
The maximum amount awarded per grant varies by year depending on the total funds raised by the Foundation and the number of grant applications received. In recent years, the awarded amount has been $20,000 per fellowship position.
Fellowship programs are able to apply for multiple awards in a given specialty in one application. If a program director is applying for fellowships in different disciplines, s/he must submit a separate application for each discipline.
How do I apply?
Complete and submit all necessary materials in the online application on or before the posted deadline.
Invoices and Receipts will be sent following the close of the application process, in February.
Credit card receipts can be located at the bottom of your completed application PDF.
Who is eligible to apply?
Applicants must be institutions that have programs accredited for post-graduate level surgeons seeking clinical training in the surgical disciplines of MIS General, Bariatric, MIS General/Bariatric, Colorectal, Thoracic, and HPB. Applicants may apply specifically for a robotic-focused fellowship within one of these six disciplines.
- Fellowship training must be primarily minimally invasive.
- Currently, the Foundation only funds institutions in the United States.
- Fellowship Programs must be accredited by The Fellowship Council. Certain fellowship programs with ACGME-accreditation and which do not receive CMS funding may also be considered.
- Institutions will be ranked based on their meticulous quality and demonstrated excellence in surgical practice, training, and scholarly activities.
All applicants should be dedicated to carrying out the Foundation’s mission of fostering consistently excellent surgical innovation.
What are the requirements to be considered for a Robotics Fellowship Grant?
To be considered, each fellow in the program must have a minimum of 50 cases performed using a dual console in the last academic year. In addition the combined case volume for all primary faculty administering training for the program must be at least 75 cases performed as a console surgeon in the last academic year. Programs are first evaluated within their specialty, then for robotics caseload.
What do I do if I am not a member of The Fellowship Council or ACGME accredited?
Click on this link if your program is not accredited by The Fellowship Council and you would like to become a member of The Fellowship Council.
Is the Fellowship Grant taxable?
It depends on the institution’s tax designation. Check with the institution’s accounting department or tax professional for definitive advice.
Can an Institution apply for grants for multiple Fellows in different disciplines?
Yes, but a separate application must be submitted for each discipline. In addition, one application or position being funded does not ensure that all will be.
Does completing the Fellowship Council application qualify a program for funding from the Foundation for Surgical Fellowships?
No. The Fellowship Council is a Fellowship accreditation association and is a completely separate entity from the Foundation for Surgical Fellowships. To receive funding from the Foundation for Surgical Fellowships, you must apply directly to the Foundation by using the online application process.
Will the FSF accept applications from ACGME accredited Fellowships?
Certain fellowship programs with ACGME accreditation but which do not receive CMS funding may also be considered.
If a fellowship program is awarded a grant, when will the money be received?
Notifications of awards are sent to grant applicants approximately 90 days from the application close date. Grant funds are awarded in two payments during the funded fellowship year (November and May), assuming that the program has submitted all case logs and other requirements on time.
Can the institution use Foundation funds for something other than a Minimally Invasive Surgical Fellowship?
No. Funding for surgical fellowships awarded by the FSF must only be used for the MIS training of fellows applied for in the original application.
Will the full grant amount be awarded all at one time to the institutions?
No. The grant will be received in two payments during the fellowship year and will depend on qualifying programs submitting Fellow’s case logs and evaluation forms for review.
Can award funding be used for indirect and administrative costs?
An institution is only permitted to use the grant funds for:
- Fellow salary and benefits; and
- Travel expenses for no more than one surgical society meeting or conference attendance per fellowship year.
An Institution is not permitted to use any FSF grant funds for:
- Administrative overhead
- Malpractice insurance
- Capital equipment purchases
- Computer hardware or software purchases
- Cellular phones or related charges
- Parking fees
- Meals