Fellowships

The Francis Fontan Fund (FFF) offers recognised and respected fellowship opportunities for EACTS members, fostering professional development and developing your surgical skills with career-defining experiences at some of the most prestigious institutions around the world. 

Explore our Fellowships

Annual Meeting Grants

These grants are exclusively for Pre-Trainees and Medical Students to attend the EACTS Annual Meeting.

Learn more
The FFF fellowship programme provides a fantastic opportunity for recipients to: 
  • Attend specialist courses and a placement in a leading global centre.   
  • Focus on a specific area of cardiothoracic surgery.  
  • Work with globally renowned experts in the field.  
  • Gain invaluable knowledge and experience.  
  • Access career development opportunities.  
  • Broaden professional networks and make lifelong connections.  
  • Help improve patient outcomes. 
  • Gain an excellent grounding in data analysis and understanding of statistical methodology (research fellowships).   

Research fellowships offer experienced cardiothoracic surgeons a placement in cardiothoracic research. 

Applications are open from 1 March to 1 May 2024. 

Leadership fellowships enable candidates to attend specialist courses and a placement in a clinic specialised in a specific area of cardiothoracic surgery. 

Applications are open from 1 March to 1 May 2024. 

Education fellowships offer candidates early in their surgical career foundational knowledge in a specific aspect of cardiothoracic surgery. 

Applications are open from 1 July to 1 September 2024. 

Francis Fontan Fellowship overview

What past fellows say about their experiences…

International collaboration and knowledge exchange is vital to advance education and professional expertise, so it is a great honour to be a recipient of this fellowship. I have a strong interest in off-pump CABG surgery and a desire to establish an off-pump CABG programme at my institution in North Macedonia. The opportunity to spend time with outstanding experts in the field will help to progress this ambition and enable me to build relationships within our cardiac community.

Past Atrial Fibrillation Fellow

I also observed how other cardiac centers worked, as well as their organisation and structure. I saw patients with excellent postoperative recovery and their expectation with the treatment. This kind of experience always contributes to my professional and personal growth.

Past Atrial Fibrillation Fellow

Taking part in the Francis Fontan Fund Fellowship in Barcelona under the supervision of Eduard Quintana, has been invaluable, providing high-quality speciality training as well as introducing me to new technologies, like robotic surgery. For a trainee resident like me, it’s a perfect setting to see the whole of cardiac surgery whilst being mentored and trained by specialists.

Past Ukrainian Support Fellow