The STS You Belong Scholarship program is a workforce development program that provides mentorship and exposure to CT surgery for medical students and general surgery residents from unique backgrounds. Applicants are encouraged to pursue careers in cardiothoracic surgery and successfully match into thoracic integrated residency and fellowship programs.
Apply before the Nov. 16 deadline.
2026 STS You Belong Scholarship Benefits
- Complimentary registration for 2026 STS Annual Meeting, January 29 - February 1, 2026, in New Orleans, LA
- Scholars will be expected to arrive at the hotel on Wednesday, January 28 by 5 p.m. CT and depart the meeting no earlier than 12 p.m. CT Sunday, February 1. No early/late departure will be accommodated.
- General surgery residents: If you are selected for a scholarship, there will be no exceptions made to accommodate the ABSITE exam. Scholarship recipients are expected to make arrangements with their institutions to take the exam before/after attending the STS Annual Meeting.
- A 4-night stay at an STS-designated hotel (check in January 28, check out February 1). Scholars are expected to stay the entire weekend.
- Reimbursement of up to $700 in related travel expenses
- Scholars will be responsible for making their own travel arrangements (i.e., flights).
- Expenses will be reimbursed after the meeting, which could take up to two months. Scholars should keep all receipts that show itemized purchase and payment details.
The following are eligible to apply:
- Medical students training at an institution in the United States or Canada
- Clinical PGY1, PGY2, or PGY3 general surgery residents training at an institution in the United States or Canada
Scholarships will be limited to one scholar per institution, per award. Preference will be given to MS1/MS2 and PGY1/PGY2 applicants from institutions without training programs and/or local rotations in cardiothoracic surgery.
Priority for the scholarship will be given to applicants from unique backgrounds with greatest need who will benefit from mentorship and exposure to cardiothoracic surgery. Please do not apply if you have received any of the following scholarships: STS LTTF or You Belong scholarships; AATS Member for a Day or Medical Student Diversity Scholarships, STSA Brooks Scholarship, or WTS Carpenter, Thistlethwaite, or Annual Meeting Scholarships.
All Applicants must provide the following:
- A current CV
- A letter of recommendation/support on university/institution letterhead from a program director, cardiothoracic surgeon, or faculty member who knows you best (you will upload the letter into your application)
- In 250 words or less, describe why STS should select you for this scholarship. Incorporate the answers to these questions in your response and be as specific as possible: How have you defined and developed your interest in cardiothoracic surgery as a career? How have you pursued mentoring and exposure to CT surgery at your current institution? What opportunities would this scholarship afford you that are currently unavailable within your current institution?