The STS Looking to the Future Scholarship program is a best-in-class education and workforce development program that helps general surgery residents and medical students pursue careers in cardiothoracic surgery. STS works directly with the country’s most talented residents and students and provides education and mentorship to help them navigate this exciting and complex surgical specialty.
The primary goal of the scholarship is to provide mentorship and exposure for medical students and general surgery residents interested in pursuing careers in cardiothoracic surgery.
Since 2006, 946 aspiring cardiothoracic surgeons have received LTTF scholarships.
2027 STS LTTF Scholarship Benefits:
- Complimentary registration for 2027 STS Annual Meeting, January 28-January 31, 2027, in San Diego, CA
- Scholars will be expected to arrive at the hotel on Wednesday, January 27 by 5pm PT and depart the meeting no earlier than 12pm PT Sunday, January 31. 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 27, check out January 31). Scholars are expected to stay the entire weekend.
- Participation in exclusive events
- 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.
- Credly badge to use on various social media profiles and in email signatures to showcase scholarship
The following are eligible to apply:
- Medical students training at an institution in the United States or Canada. Preference will be given to MS1/MS2 applicants.
- Clinical PGY1, PGY2, or PGY3 general surgery residents training at an institution in the United States or Canada. Preference will be given to PGY1/PGY2 applicants.
- General surgery residents on dedicated research time who have not started their PGY4 clinical year 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.
Priority is given to applicants who have not attended a national cardiothoracic surgery meeting or received another CT surgery meeting scholarship. Please do not apply if you have received any of the following scholarships: STS LTTF or You Belong Scholarships, TSF Saha Scholarship, AATS Member for a Day or Medical Student Diversity Scholarships, STSA Brooks Scholarship, or WTS Carpenter, Thistlethwaite, Colson, or Annual Meeting Scholarships. If you apply for the LTTF scholarship and are awarded any of the above, you must alert STS as soon as possible.
All Applicants must provide the following:
- A CV
- A signed letter of commitment form (see links to required forms) from Dean (Medical Students) or Program Director (General Surgery Residents)
- A letter of recommendation on university/institution letterhead from a Program Director, cardiothoracic surgeon, or faculty member who knows you best (applicants will upload the letter into their application)
- An essay question: In 250 words or less, please 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?
Applications will open August 10, 2026 and close September 14, 2026. Links will be posted here once the applications open in August.
LTTF FAQs
Yes. No exceptions are made to this policy.
Yes, you can apply, but if you receive an award, especially the STS You Belong scholarship, TSF Saha Scholarship, AATS Member for a Day or Medical Student Diversity Scholarships, STSA Brooks Scholarship, or WTS Carpenter, Thistlethwaite, Colson, or Annual Meeting Scholarships, you must alert STS as soon as possible. Recipients of any of these awards will not be awarded the LTTF scholarship.
Yes! All eligible applicants are encouraged to reapply.
No. All LTTF scholars are expected to arrive on Wednesday, January 27th and stay through the entire meeting, departing on Sunday, January 31st. Applicants are asked to have the Letter of Commitment form completed and submitted with the application, which informs institutions of the meeting dates.
Only one applicant per institution per scholarship level (medical student or general surgery resident) will be eligible to receive the scholarship. There are only 25 scholars chosen for each level, and not every institution will have a scholar recipient.
Yes, we encourage all medical students and general surgery residents in PGY1-3 years (and those in a research year who have not yet started their PGY4 year) to apply. While preference will be given to MS1/MS2 and PGY1/PGY2 applicants, the applicant pool changes every year and all applications are considered.
Yes! We encourage all LTTF applicants to apply for STS membership. Once you’re an STS member, you will receive discounted registration to STS 2027, and you can apply for mentorship with the STS Mentorship Program. Please note that membership applications go through a review process, and mentorship matching can take 1-3 months.
Questions?
Email Maureen Ewing.
