SOFCOT- French Society for Orthopaedic Surgery - SOFCOT Grants for Foreign Candidates

SOFCOT fellowship grant for foreign surgeons

A scholarship is a form of funded educational support, not paid work. You will receive up to 1,670 EUR per month for a research or training placement in France. This is equivalent to approximately 10,000 EUR for six months or 20,000 EUR for a full year. The placement can last up to 12 months and will take place in a department of orthopaedics and trauma surgery in France, usually in Paris. During the placement, you will work on a research project in collaboration with your host department. The funding is provided by SOFCOT, the French Society of Orthopaedics and Traumatology.

Who can apply

• Field: You work in orthopaedics and trauma surgery.
• Career stage: You are currently undertaking specialist training or are already a qualified surgeon.
• Age: You are under 40.
• Nationality: Applicants of all nationalities are welcome to apply. They simply need to be resident outside France and wish to come to France.
• French: You can demonstrate that you have a sufficient command of French for clinical work.
• Host placement: You have been offered a place by a head of department who is a member of SOFCOT and has arranged a research project for you.

How to apply

You must submit your complete application to SOFCOT. This must include your CV, the letter of acceptance from your host institution, your research proposal, proof of your French language proficiency and a funding plan. There are two application deadlines per year: 1 June and 1 December. You should apply at least six months before your planned start date.

How realistic are your chances?

This funding scheme is narrowly defined: you must be working in the field of orthopaedics and trauma surgery, be registered under 40, and have already secured a host department headed by a SOFCOT member. Finding such a host department is the real hurdle, which is why the pool of eligible candidates is small. Applicants who can already demonstrate that they have a permanent post and a project have good prospects. Please apply in good time before the six-month deadline expires.