AATS Foundation

Every Heartbeat Matters Valve Fellowship

AATS Foundation · Selected host institution, International · Travelling Fellowship · Upcoming

Advanced valve-disease training for surgeons serving populations with limited access to specialist heart-valve care.

Duration

Up to 3 months

Deadline

Next opening date not announced

Eligibility

Global programme; published applicant requirements apply

Required prior training

Completed cardiac or cardiothoracic surgery training

International applicants

Worldwide applicants treating underserved patients; host visa and licensing requirements apply

Funding

Award up to US$7,500 for study lasting no more than one month, or up to US$15,000 for one to three months

Application documents

CV detailing surgical experience; chief/chair letter if employed by a hospital/medical school; proposed host support letter; training plan and timeline; one-page learning-goals statement; current-practice outline with underserved-patient volume and projected valve-disease caseload

Official contact

AATS Foundation: foundation@aats.org

Focus

Heart Valve Surgery

Participation

Training scope defined by host

Registration

Applicant must meet the proposed host country and institution licensing requirements

Accreditation

Society fellowship

Intake

Opening date being determined

Visa information

Applicant must meet the proposed host country and institution visa requirements

Application opens

Next opening date is being determined

Operative exposure

Training scope defined by host

Salary or stipend

Travel/study award: up to US$7,500 (maximum one month) or US$15,000 (one to three months)

Benefits

International recipients travelling to the US may face federal tax withholding of up to 30%

How to apply: Next opening date is being determined. Identify a suitable training centre and obtain its support letter, then submit the listed application materials when the AATS Foundation reopens the award.

Not published by the host: language, positions, fees, research component, accommodation. Confirm directly before applying.

Official source ↗ · Last verified 14 Aug 2026 · Full programme profile →

Tirone E. David International Fellowship

AATS Foundation · North American host institution, North America · Travelling Fellowship · Upcoming

International observational training combined with mentor support for an early-career cardiac surgeon's home institution.

Duration

Observational fellowship of 2-4 weeks at an AATS member institution (page also says up to US$15,000 supports a 1-month observational fellowship); mentor longitudinal visits of 5-10 days at the home institution

Deadline

2 July 2027 (page banner also says 11:59pm Eastern on 7/1/2027 - confirm exact cut-off with AATS Foundation)

Eligibility

Practicing cardiac surgeons or those enrolled in a cardiac surgery training programme, within their first 14 years out of training; applicants from low- and middle-income countries strongly encouraged; must be eligible to enter the host country; should plan to return to their home country after the fellowship

International applicants

Designed for international cardiac surgeons within published career-stage limits

Funding

Up to US$15,000 for a 1-month observational clinical fellowship at an AATS member's institution, plus up to US$10,000 travel support for the AATS mentor's visit to the home institution. Awards to international individuals may be subject to US federal tax withholding of up to 30%.

Application documents

CV detailing surgical experience; one-page statement linking fellowship and career goals; proposed study plan; host/mentor support letter with observership and reciprocal-visit plans; proposed budget; home surgical-chief support and permission letter

Official contact

Use the official programme page

Focus

International Cardiac Surgery Education

Participation

Clinical observation

Registration

Host requirements apply

Accreditation

Society travelling fellowship

Intake

Annual cycle

Visa information

AATS requires observers to be eligible to enter the proposed host country and to provide a host support letter describing the observership. Confirm the appropriate entry arrangements with the host before travel.

Application opens

May 1, 2027

Operative exposure

Clinical observation

Salary or stipend

Grant-supported; see official page

Host arrangements

AATS publishes potential host surgeons; applicants may also propose another host with agreement. A listed host is not a guaranteed assigned mentor.

How to apply: Apply through AATS Foundation when open.

Not published by the host: required prior training, language, positions, fees, research component, benefits, accommodation. Confirm directly before applying.

Official source ↗ · Last verified 11 Nov 2026 · Full programme profile →

James L. Cox Fellowship in Atrial Fibrillation Surgery

AATS Foundation · Host institution selected with awardee, North America · Travelling Fellowship · Needs confirmation

A two- or four-week AATS Foundation fellowship in the pathophysiology, decision-making and surgical treatment of atrial fibrillation, including lesion sets, energy sources, left atrial appendage management and postoperative rhythm assessment.

Duration

2 or 4 weeks

Deadline

2 Dec 2026 (page header); applicant text states 1 Dec at 11:59 PM ET

Eligibility

Final year of training with fellowship completed before formal appointment, or fewer than three years in practice; host licensure/credentialing eligibility and English fluency required

Required prior training

Final-year cardiothoracic trainee or early-career surgeon in practice for fewer than three years

International applicants

The official award structure explicitly includes international trainees; all applicants must meet host-centre requirements

Language

English fluency is mandatory

Funding

Domestic: up to US$3,750 / US$7,500; international: up to US$5,000 / US$10,000

Application documents

CV with surgical experience; chief/chair support letter; 1–2 page narrative; career goals; planned use of learning; and number of atrial fibrillation cases observed

Official contact

AATS Foundation · foundation@aats.org

Focus

Atrial Fibrillation Surgery

Participation

Credentialing and scrub-in are pursued where possible; the official page states that some host sites are observation only

Registration

Applicant must meet all licensure and credentialing criteria required by the selected host centre

Accreditation

Society fellowship; not a residency accreditation route

Intake

Programme opens 1 Sep 2026

Application opens

1 Sep 2026

Operative exposure

Host credentialing is sought where possible so the fellow may scrub in; some sites remain observation-only

Research component

Literature, consensus guidance and outcome reporting are included in the curriculum; no separate research post is described

Salary or stipend

Educational award, not a salary

Benefits

Award support based on two- or four-week level; separate reimbursement up to US$1,500 for airfare and lodging to attend a future AATS Annual Meeting

Accommodation

Covered only within the published award or meeting reimbursement limits; host accommodation is not promised

How to apply: Apply through the AATS Foundation portal.

Not published by the host: positions, visa information, fees. Confirm directly before applying.

Official source ↗ · Last verified 17 Oct 2026 · Full programme profile →

Aldo R. Castañeda Fellowship

AATS Foundation · North American host facility, North America · Observership · Closed

Observational training for early-career Latin American congenital heart surgeons at a North American host facility.

Duration

Up to 3 months

Deadline

2026 cycle closed; requirements specify 1 July 2026 at 23:59 Eastern (display header also shows 2 July)

Eligibility

Latin American citizens practising congenital heart surgery within their first ten years of practice; fluent English and host travel/licensing requirements.

Required prior training

Congenital heart surgeons in the first ten years of practice.

International applicants

Latin American congenital heart surgeons within published criteria

Language

Fluent English.

Funding

One recipient up to US$15,000 for three months, or two recipients up to US$7,500 each for one month; additional US$1,500 AATS meeting travel support if attended.

Application documents

CV describing surgical experience, a support letter from the department chair or division chief, and a separate letter from the proposed host. Include a two- to three-page statement describing the placement goals, how you will use the training at home, how it fits your prior experience and career plans, and how you will use the award.

Official contact

Use the official programme page

Focus

Congenital Heart Surgery

Participation

Observation only; no hands-on surgical privileges are promised.

Registration

Host requirements apply

Accreditation

Society observational fellowship

Intake

Annual cycle

Visa information

The recipient must meet the licence and visa requirements for travel to and from the chosen host training site. The award does not replace host or immigration approval.

Operative exposure

Observation only

Salary or stipend

See official award terms

Training site

A North American host, ideally a first- or subsequent-generation Aldo Castañeda mentee; the award does not assign a permanent host.

How to apply: Apply through AATS Foundation when open.

Not published by the host: positions, fees, application opens, research component, benefits, accommodation. Confirm directly before applying.

Official source ↗ · Last verified 31 Oct 2026 · Full programme profile →

Evarts A. Graham Memorial Traveling Fellowship

AATS Foundation · North American host institutions, North America · Travelling Fellowship · Closed

International travelling fellowship supporting cardiac or thoracic training across selected host centres.

Duration

6 months

Deadline

2026 cycle closed

Eligibility

Designed for international cardiothoracic surgeons

Required prior training

Completed formal training in general surgery and in thoracic and/or cardiovascular surgery, not yet in a senior position

International applicants

Designed for international cardiothoracic surgeons

Language

English (sufficient proficiency required)

Funding

US$50,000 award

Positions

Two annual awards described for the 2026 cycle

Application documents

CV detailing surgical experience; one-to-two-page narrative; proposed study plan; host-surgeon support letters; proposed budget

Official contact

Use the official programme page

Focus

Cardiac or Thoracic

Participation

Clinical observation and training plan vary by host

Registration

Host requirements apply

Accreditation

Society travelling fellowship

Intake

Annual cycle

Operative exposure

Clinical observation and training plan vary by host

Salary or stipend

US$50,000 award

How to apply: Apply through the AATS Foundation portal when the next cycle opens.

Not published by the host: visa information, fees, application opens, research component, benefits, accommodation. Confirm directly before applying.

Official source ↗ · Last verified 31 Oct 2026 · Full programme profile →

Jack A. Roth Fellowship in Thoracic Surgical Oncology

AATS Foundation · United States (three host options) · Observership · Closed

Short observational fellowship integrating participants into clinical and academic thoracic oncology programmes.

Duration

2–4 weeks

Deadline

2026 cycle closed; requirements specify 1 July 2026 at 23:59 Eastern (display header also shows 2 July)

Eligibility

Completed thoracic surgical training or an interest in a thoracic surgical career; applicants from training programmes worldwide may apply; fluent English and host travel/licensing requirements.

Required prior training

Completed thoracic surgery training or a developing thoracic surgical career, as worded by AATS.

International applicants

See official cycle requirements

Language

Fluent English.

Funding

Up to US$15,000 to defray travel and living costs; up to two recipients per year.

Application documents

Submit a CV describing surgical experience, a support letter from the current attending or future department chair or division chief, and a one- to two-page statement covering goals, relevant preparation, and how you will use what you observe at home.

Official contact

Use the official programme page

Focus

Thoracic Surgical Oncology

Participation

Observation only; no hands-on surgical privileges are promised.

Registration

Host requirements apply

Accreditation

Society observational fellowship

Intake

Annual cycle

Visa information

Applicants must meet the visa and licensing prerequisites for travel to and from the selected training centre. Confirm the arrangements with that host.

Operative exposure

Observation only

Salary or stipend

Up to US$15,000

Training site

UT MD Anderson Cancer Center, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center or Massachusetts General Hospital.

How to apply: Apply through AATS Foundation when open.

Not published by the host: positions, fees, application opens, research component, benefits, accommodation. Confirm directly before applying.

Official source ↗ · Last verified 31 Oct 2026 · Full programme profile →

Marc R. de Leval Fellowship

AATS Foundation · Institution selected by recipient, International · Travelling Fellowship · Closed

Advanced congenital heart surgery exposure for surgeons who recently completed congenital fellowship training.

Duration

2–3 months

Deadline

2026 cycle closed

Eligibility

International and domestic applicants described

Required prior training

Completed formal congenital heart surgery fellowship and within the first five years of congenital heart surgery training.

International applicants

International and domestic applicants described

Funding

Funded award; amount on official page

Application documents

CV detailing surgical experience; current attending and future department-chair/division-chief support letters; support letter from host chief if selecting an unlisted host; travel itinerary and lodging arrangements; one-to-two-page goals, skills-transfer and career narrative

Official contact

Use the official programme page

Focus

Congenital Heart Surgery

Participation

Clinical techniques studied at chosen host

Registration

Host requirements apply

Accreditation

Society travelling fellowship

Intake

Annual cycle

Visa information

Applicants must satisfy the licence and visa requirements for travel to and from the host training site; arrange the placement and dates with the host.

Operative exposure

Clinical techniques studied at chosen host

Salary or stipend

Funded award; amount on official page

How to apply: Apply through AATS Foundation when open.

Not published by the host: language, positions, fees, application opens, research component, benefits, accommodation. Confirm directly before applying.

Official source ↗ · Last verified 31 Oct 2026 · Full programme profile →

Thoracic Surgical Oncology Clinical Trial Research Training Fellowship

AATS Foundation · United States (AstraZeneca: Gaithersburg or Waltham) · Research Fellowship · Closed

An industry–academic thoracic oncology research practicum with AstraZeneca. The award supports clinical-trial methodology and a defined research project, with a published institutional award of US$100,000 over twelve months.

Eligibility

Surgical trainees in an ACGME or comparable foreign general/thoracic surgery programme, with general thoracic surgery as their intended primary field and an academic/hospital appointment. English proficiency and an immigration status permitting the full onsite term are required; no citizenship restriction is published.

Deadline

2026 round closed; requirements specify 1 July at 23:59 Eastern, while the date header displays 2 July

Required prior training

Active general/thoracic surgical training in an accredited or comparable foreign programme; resident, fellow or new-faculty academic/hospital appointment.

Language

English (fluency mandatory)

Funding

US$100,000 for a twelve-month fellowship; part may support attendance at AATS educational meetings.

Application documents

CV describing surgical experience; attending/chair/division-chief support letter; and a 1–2 page narrative covering goals at AstraZeneca, use of the acquired skills, preparation and planned work, and future clinical/research plans. The published 2026 round is closed.

Official contact

Central AATS enquiry form: https://www.aats.org/contact-us . Select General and identify the AATS Foundation Thoracic Surgical Oncology Clinical Trial Research Training Fellowship. This is an administrative routing form, not a published programme-specific submission inbox.

Participation

Clinical-trial research and industry practicum; no surgical practice privileges are promised.

Training site

AstraZeneca, Gaithersburg, Maryland or Waltham, Massachusetts.

Visa information

Applicants must ensure their immigration status allows the full onsite term while maintaining home-institution employment.

Restrictions

Government-entity/private-industry employees or subcontractors and clinical fellows applying from U.S. government laboratories are excluded under the published rules.

How to apply: Use the AATS application instructions with CV, surgical experience, attending/chair support letter and a 1–2 page narrative of fellowship goals, preparation, intended AstraZeneca work and future career plans. The 2026 application round is closed.

Official source ↗ · Last verified 31 Oct 2026 · Full programme profile →