EUROPEAN ASSOCIATION FOR CARDIO-THORACIC SURGERY (EACTS) - FRANCIS FONTAN FUND
Francis Fontan Fund Quality & Outcomes Fellowship
living only · phd
- EUR 20,000Grant for living and travel expenses
- 80% / 20%Disbursed at start, then after final report
- 33 hospitalsParticipating hospitals in the collaborative
- 1 per yearMaximum applications per applicant per year
- 4 yearsMax time since completing training to be eligible
- University of MichiganHost training institution (USA)
At a glance
living only
Funding
€20k
Max amount
Sep 1, 2027
Deadline
Open to EACTS members internationally
Country
European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS) - Francis Fontan Fund
Provider
The Francis Fontan Fund Quality & Outcomes Fellowship is a training fellowship for cardiothoracic surgeons, run by the European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS) in partnership with the Michigan Society of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeons (MSTCVS). The fellowship provides a grant of EUR 20,000 to cover living and travel expenses while the fellow trains at the University of Michigan, USA, for the 2027-2028 academic year, focusing on surgical outcomes analysis and quality improvement. Fellows work with expert statisticians, collaborate with multidisciplinary teams under leaders such as Dr Francis Pagani, undertake site visits to participating hospitals (the collaborative spans 33 participating hospitals), and develop abstracts and manuscripts for presentation at meetings including the EACTS Annual Meeting. The grant is disbursed in 2 instalments: 80% at the start and the remaining 20% after the final report is submitted, with any third-party fees deducted from the initial payment. Applicants must be EACTS members in the final year of training or within 4 years of completing it, fluent in English, and may apply only once per year. The grant value, conditions and the exact 2027 deadline can change each cycle, so confirm the current details on the official EACTS page before you apply.
What's covered
- Fellowship grant — A grant of EUR 20,000 (~USD 21,000 (est.)) to cover living and travel expenses during the training period in Michigan.
- First instalment — 80% of the EUR 20,000 grant (about EUR 16,000) is disbursed at the start of the fellowship.
- Final instalment — The remaining 20% (about EUR 4,000) is released after the fellow submits the final report to the Francis Fontan Fund Committee.
- Training and mentorship — Hands-on training at the University of Michigan with expert statisticians and multidisciplinary teams in surgical outcomes and quality improvement.
- Site visits and dissemination — Site visits to participating hospitals for best practices and support to present abstracts and manuscripts at meetings such as the EACTS Annual Meeting.
How to apply
Applicants submit a written application to the Francis Fontan Fund through EACTS, including supporting letters and documentation of their surgical experience, before the deadline.
- Confirm your eligibility — Check that you are an EACTS member with up-to-date membership, in your final training year or within 4 years of completing training, and fluent in English.
- Obtain a letter of support — Secure a letter of support from your Head of Department or Training Director endorsing your application.
- Prepare your application materials — Write a letter of interest setting out your career aspirations and how you will apply the learning, and assemble your CV and documentation of operative experience.
- Submit through EACTS — Submit the complete application to the Francis Fontan Fund via the official EACTS website before about 1 September 2027.
- Assessment and feedback — The Francis Fontan Fund Committee reviews applications; the fellowship includes periodic feedback, structured evaluations and a final report.
Eligibility
EACTS membershipMust be an EACTS member with up-to-date membership at the time of application.
Career stageIn the final year of training, or within 4 years of completing training.
LanguageFluency in English is required for the training and dissemination work.
Desirable experiencePrevious attendance at EACTS courses or meetings, EBCTS fellowship, and experience in data quality and outcomes operations are advantageous.
Only one application per applicant per year is allowed, and recipients from the last two years are ineligible. Incomplete or false applications are not accepted.
Eligible countries
Open to EACTS members internationally
Deadlines
2027-2028 fellowship~1 September 2027 (est.)
Following cycle~September 2028 (est.)
Selection
Applications are assessed by the Francis Fontan Fund Committee on the candidate's training stage, operative experience, the strength of the supporting letter and letter of interest, and how clearly the applicant can apply the quality-and-outcomes learning at their home institution. The fellowship includes structured evaluation and a required final report.
Verified sources
- EACTS - Francis Fontan Fund Fellowshipseacts.orgofficial
About the provider
The European Association for Cardio-Thoracic Surgery (EACTS) is the membership body for cardiothoracic surgeons in Europe and beyond. Through the Francis Fontan Fund it funds training fellowships, and partners with the Michigan Society of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeons to host the Quality & Outcomes Fellowship at the University of Michigan.
Frequently asked questions
Answers below are best-effort estimates from the most recent application cycle. Values marked ~ or (est.) may shift year-to-year — confirm specifics on the official scholarship page.
Who can apply for the Francis Fontan Fund Quality & Outcomes Fellowship?
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Cardiothoracic surgeons who are EACTS members with up-to-date membership, in their final training year or within 4 years of completing training, and fluent in English.
How much is the fellowship grant?
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A grant of EUR 20,000 (~USD 21,000 (est.)) to cover living and travel expenses during the training period.
Where does the training take place?
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At the University of Michigan in the USA, in partnership with the Michigan Society of Thoracic and Cardiovascular Surgeons (MSTCVS).
How is the grant paid?
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In two instalments: 80% at the start of the fellowship and the remaining 20% after the final report is submitted; third-party fees are deducted from the initial payment.
What will I work on during the fellowship?
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Surgical outcomes analysis and quality improvement, working with expert statisticians and multidisciplinary teams, with site visits to participating hospitals.
How many participating hospitals are involved?
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The collaborative spans 33 participating hospitals, which fellows can visit to learn best practices.
How many times can I apply?
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Only one application per applicant per year is allowed, and recipients from the last two years are ineligible.
When is the application deadline?
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Around 1 September 2027 (est.); confirm the exact current-cycle date on the official EACTS website.
What documents are required?
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A letter of support from your Head of Department or Training Director, a letter of interest, a CV, and documentation of operative experience.
Is EACTS membership required?
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Yes. You must be an EACTS member with up-to-date membership to be eligible.
What happens after the fellowship?
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Fellows submit a final report and are expected to apply the quality-and-outcomes learning at their home institution, often presenting abstracts and manuscripts at meetings such as the EACTS Annual Meeting.
Where do I apply?
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Through the official EACTS website, where the Francis Fontan Fund fellowship application and guidelines are published.