The International Career Development Exchange (ICDE) program provides support for up-and-coming, early-career surgical oncologists with leadership potential to receive one-on-one mentoring and engagement with a distinguished senior SSO member.
SSO supports two participants from countries not connected to one of our Global Partners. Participants receive complimentary registration for SSO 2027 Washington, D.C and the opportunity to participate in a minimum one-week clinical observership at a US-based SSO member’s institution. Each participant will be paired with an SSO Member Mentor with the goal that a long-term professional relationship will develop and continue over the course of the participant’s career. SSO staff will pair participants with their Member Mentor based on shared clinical interests, there is no expectation that the participant or Global Partner Society will need to arrange the institutional visit
The SSO will open the International Career Development Exchange program application on Monday, May 11.
Click here to preview the questions asked in the online application form.
Eligibility Criteria & Participant Commitments
Eligibility Criteria
Individuals must meet the following criteria to participate in the ICDE program:
- Must be an SSO Active International member in good standing (2026 dues must be paid) to apply.
- Must be from a country not represented by one of SSO’s Global Partner Societies*
- Cannot have previously received the SSO ICDE grant.
- Cannot have previously received an ICDE grant.
- Cannot have previously participated in the Career Catalyst Mentorship Program.
- Cannot have previously participated in the President Scholars Program.
- Cannot have previously participated in the Foster the Future Mentorship Program.
- Cannot have previously participated in a global partner observership.
- Must be 45 years old or younger at the time of application.
- Must be currently employed in their home country/region.
- Must have a strong command of the English language (both writing and speaking).
- Must have a current passport.
- Must be able to travel to the United States and obtain a travel visa to the United States if coming from a country where one is required.
The SSO reserves the right to evaluate and determine eligibility based on the information and justifications included in the requested materials.
Participant Commitments
ICDE participants must commit to the following stipulations in order to participate in the program:
- Complete an online information and agreement form distributed by SSO.
- Complete an SSO membership application (membership will be complimentary, however, a completed application is still required).
- Meet any requirements obligated by the institution where they will complete their observership.
- Submit a summary report about the experience and complete a survey immediately following the program, along with 1-, 3-, and 5- year follow-ups.
- Submit any photos or videos taken during the SSO Annual Meeting or institutional visit for use on SSO’s social media, website, marketing materials, or for any other use in support of the program.
- Participants may be asked to record audio or video interviews regarding the experience.
Award Details
Each Participant will receive the following:
- A stipend of $3,000 USD to assist with travel arrangements, which will be provided at SSO 2027 via electronic means. No checks or cash will be issued.
- Complimentary registration to SSO 2027.
- One year of complimentary membership in the Society.
- A 5-day observership at a U.S. based institution with an SSO Member Mentor.
- SSO will match the participant with a host based on shared professional and scientific interests from one of SSO’s eight disease site areas.
Selection Process and Key Dates
Date | Item |
May 4, 2026 | Launch date for Global Partner Societies |
May 11, 2026 | Applications open for 2 SSO-sponsored participants |
June 8, 2026 | Applications close for SSO-sponsored participants |
June – July 2026 | International Committee reviews applications for SSO-sponsored participants |
August 10, 2026 | Notification Letters sent to SSO ICDE applicants (no later than) |
August 14, 2026 | Deadline for Global Partners to submit their ICDE participant |
August 21, 2026 | Notification Letters sent to Global Partner ICDE recipients (no later than) |
September 1, 2026 | Deadline for participants to complete the online information survey |
September – October 2026 | SSO staff work to pair participants with their SSO Member Mentor/institutional host |
October – November 2026 | Participants work directly with institution/host to complete any documentation or other requirements for the visit |
December 15, 2026 | Deadline for participants to:
|
March 18-20, 2027 | SSO 2027 |
March 22 – March 26th | Institutional visit |
Mid- May 2027 | Post-activity summary report and survey due to SSO |
Mid-May, 2028 | 1-year post-activity summary report and survey due to SSO |
Mid-May, 2030 | 3-year post-activity summary report and survey due to SSO |
*This opportunity is open to SSO Active International members residing in countries not represented by one of SSO’s Global Partner Societies. You must reside in one of the countries listed below to apply for an SSO-sponsored ICDE award:
Please contact Amanda Firlit at amandafirlit@surgonc.org if you have any questions