SOFCOT- French Society for Orthopaedic Surgery - SOFCOT Grants

SOFCOT Grants

As a young orthopaedic surgeon, you will receive financial support for a study visit abroad. The scholarship is awarded by the French Society of Orthopaedics and Traumatology (SOFCOT). The main travel grant (Bourse SOFCOT) amounts to 10,000 EUR for 6 months or 20,000 EUR for 12 months within Europe. Outside the EU, 11,000 EUR or 22,000 EUR is paid for the same period. Alternatively, you can apply for other options under the same programme. A Master’s grant of between 20,000 and 22,000 EUR covers one year of Master’s study without a paid research post. An EFORT scholarship of up to 1,000 EUR enables you to attend the EFORT Congress (max. 3 per year). A new APCORT scholarship of 15,000 EUR funds an international mobility project. Foreign surgeons may receive a congress grant of 500 EUR as well as free admission to the SOFCOT Congress (10 per year). You may only claim one SOFCOT grant throughout your entire professional career.

Who can apply

• Field: You work in the field of orthopaedic and trauma surgery.
• Career stage: You are a young surgeon. For the purpose of the main travel grant, you are at the level of a junior doctor (intern) and are a junior member of SOFCOT and the College of Young Orthopaedists (CJO).
• Nationality: The main scholarships are aimed at French surgeons. Foreign surgeons under the age of 40 who do not live in France may apply for the separate conference scholarship.
• Where you go: You are using the money for an internship or a study placement abroad, whether in Europe or outside the EU.
• Support letters: You have a letter of acceptance from the head of a host department and a letter of recommendation from a current SOFCOT member.
• Track record: You have previously given presentations or published articles at a SOFCOT congress or in its journals (RCOT/OTSR).

How to apply

You must email a complete PDF file to the Grants Committee, which meets twice a year, in January and June. Your documents must be received at least one month before the meeting and six months before your departure date. The current deadline is 15 December 2026 for the meeting on 15 January 2027.

How realistic are your chances?

This funding scheme is very narrowly defined. You must be a young orthopaedic surgeon, a member of SOFCOT, and already have a conference presentation or a publication to your name, meaning that the pool of eligible candidates is small. Only one grant is awarded per career, and first-time applicants are given priority. A well-suited applicant with a firm offer from the host institution and a sound research project therefore has good prospects. Please apply well in advance of your departure, as the six-month rule leaves no scope for late applications.