SVS Diversity Medical Student VAM Travel Scholarship

The next submission period will open December 2, 2024 and closes January 6 at 4pm EST.

Please read all the below information before applying.

This scholarship supports aspiring vascular surgeons attend the 2025 SVS Vascular Annual Meeting (VAM) on June 4-7 in New Orleans, LA to learn more about the latest treatments and research in vascular disease, and to enhance the professional network of medical students from underrepresented racial/ethnic minorities within the vascular surgery specialty. In addition to scientific sessions, the VAM offers medical students other valuable opportunities to learn about vascular surgery, including:

• Medical Student Sessions – walk away with tips from experts in the field on how to pursue and succeed in a vascular surgery career
• Mock Interview Session – receive constructive feedback provided in preparation for interviewing with a vascular surgery training program
• Residency Fair – explore vascular surgery residency and fellowship programs from across the continent, meet with program directors and coordinators, and ask questions about their programs
• SVS Connect@VAM – enjoy interacting with fellow students, residents, and vascular health professionals in a festive atmosphere
• VAM Mentoring Program – connect with a paired vascular surgeon/SVS mentor for guidance on experiencing VAM and career goals

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Scholarship Includes:  

• A financial award to be used toward the cost of travel expenses for VAM*
• Complimentary VAM registration

*Past financial award amounts have ranged between $300 - $400. The final amount will be determined after all applications have been reviewed and will be included in the award letter to recipients. Scholarship recipients will receive a mailed check after VAM pending meeting the terms and conditions outlined below. (Local scholarship recipients are not eligible to receive the financial award.)

Eligibility:

• Active interest in vascular surgery
• Currently enrolled as:
  • Medical Student; or
  • Pre-Med Student
  • Be part of a minority group based on gender or ethnicity

​LOCAL APPLICANTS: Please note that while local residents/students are not eligible to receive the financial award, they are encouraged to apply in order to receive complimentary registration. Be sure to select "local student/resident" on the application form.

Scholarship Terms and Conditions:

Applicants selected will need to agree to the following terms and conditions in order to accept and receive the scholarship:

• Attend all days of VAM25 taking place June 4-7 in New Orleans, LA*
• Check-in on site at VAM with SVS staff*
• Complete a post-VAM Resident-Student Program evaluation* 
• Complete a follow-up survey in the future from SVS to assess outcomes of the VAM Resident-Student Program

*Required to receive mailed financial award check after VAM.

Application Process: 

• Applicants must have an SVS account before applying. Click here to create an account if you don't already have one.
• Complete all application tasks that includes:
  • Demographic Information  - Applicants must submit a complete online application providing demographic information such as training level, institution/school currently attending, etc. 
  • Statement of Interest - Applicants must provide a written statement, no longer than 200 words, regarding their interest in vascular surgery and why they want to attend the VAM. The application undergoes a blind review. DO NOT INCLUDE any individual or institutional identifiers in your statement (i.e. your name, institution/medical school name, vascular surgeon mentors).
  • Application submission agreement
  • Complete and submit the application by Monday, January 6, 2025 at 3pm CST (4pm EST)

Applying for Multiple SVS VAM Travel Scholarships - Please note students are allowed to submit applications to each of the following scholarship programs: General Surgery Resident/Medical Student Travel Scholarship and the Diversity Medical Student Travel Scholarship, but are eligible to receive only one award. 

Review Process:

After the submission deadline, applications will undergo a blind review by members of the SVS Resident and Student Outreach Committee. Priority will be given to students who:

• Have not previously received any type of SVS travel scholarship;
• Are not presenting an abstract/poster at the VAM; and
• Have not already matched into a vascular surgery training program.

Award Process:

Applicants will be notified of the committee’s decision via email in early March 2025. Scholarship recipients will need to confirm their VAM attendance and reconfirm their agreement to the above terms and conditions to receive the scholarship.   

Please do not register and pay for VAM before finding out if you are a scholarship recipient! Enough notice will be provided on the status of applications to allow non-selected applicants time to register for VAM before the early bird registration deadline.

More Information:

Please contact studentresident@vascularsociety.org with any questions or for additional information.