SICO announces three two-year fellowships of 60,0000 euros each in cancer surgery: an opportunity for excellence training for young oncology surgeons

The Italian Society of Oncologic Surgery (SICO) has launched a new edition of the Training Program of Excellence in Oncologic Surgery, which offers three young oncologic surgeons the opportunity to acquire advanced, multidisciplinary skills in different tumor areas through a two-year customized pathway at national centers of excellence. The established gross amount of the fellowship is 60,000 € (sixty thousand/euro) for the 24 months (30,000 € annually).

The program, inaugurated in 2023, aims to train future leaders in the multidisciplinary approach to the oncology patient, providing them with the theoretical and practical tools to meet the challenges of modern oncology surgery, characterized by technological innovation, precision, and multidisciplinarity. In addition, the program aims to foster the development of a network of contacts and collaborations between young oncology surgeons and the qualified mentors who will supervise them, as well as to stimulate their participation in teaching and scientific research.

The three fellowship winners will be able to choose four rotations of four months each from the following areas: gastro-intestinal; colorectal; sarcomas; pancreas; liver; peritoneum; melanoma; and breast. The rotations will take place at national centers of excellence under the supervision of qualified mentors.

The call is open to physicians with Specialization in General Surgery performed at an Italian University, with scientific and clinical curriculum in the area of Surgical Oncology, within 45 years of age. Selection will be by qualifications and oral interview. The start of the activity is scheduled to begin in January 2025.

Applications are open until Sept. 15, 2024; the call for applications and all information on how to compete are available on the SICO website (https://sicoweb.it/candidature-2023-2026/).