Thoracic & Minimally Invasive Surgery Fellowship
Summary
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Application dates:
1st July – 1st September 2025
- Grant:
€11,350
- Location:
Shanghai Chest Hospital, China
- Duration:
6 -12 months
- Start Date:
From January 2026
Fellowship Overview
The selected Fellow will get full exposure to the following:
- Basic VATS skill training at the simulation centre.
- Scrub in as cameraman and first assistant.
- Wet lab training for lobectomies (thymectomy, esophagectomy).
- How to do a standard lobectomy and segmentectomy (thymectomy, esophagectomy).
- Principles and skills in lymph node dissection under VATS.
- How to cope with unexpected situations during VATS procedures.
- Journal club and MDT conferences.
- Clinical research group meetings.
Learning Objectives
- Improved understanding of modern principles in diagnosis and treatment in thoracic oncology, including lung cancers, mediastinal tumours, and esophageal diseases.
- Building competency in independently performing thoracic procedures, focusing on skills for minimally invasive approaches.
- Mastering basic knowledge in clinical studies related to thoracic surgery.
Specific Learning Objectives
- Understanding of modern principles in decision making on surgical indication, resection extent, and lymph node dissection for lung cancers (thymic tumors, esophageal cancers, etc.).
- Mastering necessary skills in minimally invasive lobectomy, segmentectomy, and lymph node dissection for early-stage lung cancers (thymectomy, esophagectomy, etc.).
- Getting to know basic ideas in clinical study design, data analysis, and manuscript writing.
Funding
This Fellowship includes a generous financial contribution of €11,350 towards living and travel costs. In addition, EACTS will provide a bursary towards the cost of your attendance at the 2025 EACTS Annual Meeting.
Application and Selection
In order to apply for this fellowship there are some essential criteria you must meet:- Be an EACTS member
- Last year or stage of training, or within the first four years of independent practice.
- Formal medical education and a medical license in the home country.
- Basic training in open thoracic procedures and peri-operative management
- Be Fluent in English – English language proficiency in conversation and writing
Applicants who possess the following desirable criteria would be of particular interest:
- Possibility of applying the knowledge and abilities acquired during the fellowship in home practice
In order to complete your application, you must submit the following documents*:
- Letter of interest detailing the way in which you meet the above application criteria, along with your career aspirations and how you believe the Fellowship will impact your career.
- Curriculum Vitae, including a list of publications.
- Summary of operative experience in Thoracic surgery.
- Residency in a formal general thoracic/cardiothoracic training programmes in a recognised center.
- Letter of support from a current supervisor.
*Please ensure that all documents submitted are written in English, and that they are submitted either as word documents or PDF. We do not accept images or handwritten applications. We are unable to provide advice or guidance about visa applications, so please ensure that you understand the visa requirements before applying for this Fellowship.
Evaluation and Feedback
The Fellow will be expected to maintain an operative logbook. A learning agreement to be completed by Fellow and mentor at the commencement of the Fellowship, to encompass realistic and achievable goals, tailored to the needs of the Fellow.Regular meetings with a mentor(s) at Shanghai Chest Hospital to ensure progress.
A final appraisal at the end of the Fellowship Programme, focusing on the fellow’s clinical achievements and mastering of surgical skills and knowledge. Fellows will also produce a full report on their experience based on the Francis Fontan Fund Committee guidelines.
Participation in clinical studies is expected, and joint research activities after returning to their home country (data analysis, paper writing, meeting presentation) is encouraged.
In addition, there will be periodic communication with the Fellowship director to ensure feedback from the trainee.
Terms and Conditions
- You cannot apply for more than one fellowship in a single year.
- You cannot apply for a fellowship if you have been awarded one in the last two years.
- If you do not submit all requested documents your application will not be reviewed.
- If you do not follow the application guidelines (document format, essential criteria etc) your application will not be reviewed.
- If you submit any false information your application will be immediately void (regardless of application stage).
- Once your fellowship start date is confirmed, 80% of the fellowship grant will be transferred to you.
- On completion of the fellowship and receipt of your final report, the remaining 20% of the fellowship grant will be transferred to you.
- Should your fellowship include third party fees, EACTS will pay this directly from your initial 80% grant payment, with the remaining balance being transferred to you.
- If for any reason you find you are unable to complete or attend training, you should notify EACTS at your earliest convenience. If the grant payment has already been made, you will be asked to repay the monies received based on incurred costs to date. Proof of expenses will be required.
The Francis Fontan Fellowship programme fosters the continued growth and development of cardiothoracic surgeons by providing opportunities to learn from the highest standards of cardiothoracic care and gain knowledge of novel techniques and innovative technologies used by other institutes around the world. Successful applicants will use the valuable learnings and collaborative relationships developed through their Fellowship to further the progress of cardiothoracic surgery at their home institution and support the delivery of the highest quality patient care.
- The fellowship needs to be completed within the year that it was awarded.
- Awardees need to be in full time employment throughout the fellowship.
NB. The Francis Fontan Fund Committee will consider any fellow who falls outside of this condition on a case-by-case basis. All decisions are final, and the Committee are not obliged to share the reasoning behind any decision made.
- Grant: