NREF supports new post-residency fellowship grant program

The NREF has reached an agreement with Codman & Shurtleff, Inc. to provide funding to the NREF in support of the Foundation's new post-residency fellowship grant program.

As a result of this agreement, Codman will provide funding for post-residency clinical neurosurgery fellowships with a focus on general neurosurgery as well as subspecialty areas such as pediatrics, neurosurgical oncology, peripheral nerve, neurocritical care, and stereotactic & functional neurosurgery for the 2010-2011 funding cycle. Fellowship grants in the areas of spine and endovascular neurosurgery are not eligible for funding through this new program because they are supported through other programs. Other cerebrovascular-related fellowships may also be eligible for grant support. Every year, an estimated 160 neurosurgeons graduate from the 99 approved neurosurgical residency training programs in North America, and many of them pursue an additional one-year fellowship before entering academic or private practice.

"Through this funding, Codman demonstrates its continuing commitment to furthering clinical education. The training provided will provide neurosurgeons completing their residency with a unique opportunity to learn advanced state-of-the-art techniques across a richly diverse spectrum of neurosurgical subspecialties. This additional education will enhance their ability to successfully treat millions of children and adults with debilitating and often life-threatening conditions," stated Griffith R. Harsh IV, MD, FACS, NREF chair.

The NREF will be responsible for all aspects of the fellowship grant program, including review and approval of grant applications. The NREF will award grants based upon established fellowship program criteria and the needs of the requesting hospital, program and/or academic institution. A new NREF Educational Grants Committee (EGC) comprised of neurosurgeons that do not receive financial or other support from the medical device industry, will review and approve fellowship grant applications in an independent, unbiased manner. Individuals serving on the Educational Grants Committee are volunteers and do not receive compensation from the NREF for their efforts.

"The NREF appreciates the commitment Codman has made through its support of neurosurgical research and education in these key areas of neurosurgery, and this outstanding new opportunity to provide neurosurgeons with remarkable post-residency clinical education," said AANS President Troy M. Tippett, MD, FACS.

The new NREF Educational Grants Committee is currently finalizing all aspects of the program. The timeline for application, criteria for fellowship funding, and other important information about the program will be posted online at www.AANS.org/Research by December 31. The application deadline will be early February 2010.

Source: Neurosurgery Research and Education Foundation