With the proceeds from the 2005 World Congress of Gastroenterology (WCOG) held in Montreal, the Canadian Association of Gastroenterology has established an endowment fund in support of an education exchange program with our Latin-American colleagues. A key component of this program is the provision of funding for one Latin-American clinical or research trainee in digestive health and sciences (under 40 years of age) to engage in training at an academic centre in Canada.

AWARD

• A living and travel allowance of up to $4,000 CDN (original receipts required for reimbursement) to allow the successful applicant to spend up to four weeks at a selected Division of Gastroenterology or allied University basic science department in Canada. The duration of this training may be extended if additional funding is available either from the trainee’s home centre or Canadian hosting Division.

ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS AND AJUDICATION

• Applicants must be under the age of 40 and currently engaged in clinical and/or research training in digestive health and sciences at a centre in Latin-America (defined as any Western hemispheric country excluding Canada and USA).

• Applicants must have sufficient verbal and written English language skills to ensure they can actively participate in the educational program.

• The award will be made on the basis of excellence of the applicant with respect to previous scholastic and academic records, and the importance of the educational experience to the applicant’s career development.

• Applications will be reviewed and ranked by the WCOG 2005 Canadian Digestive Health and Science Education Exchange Program Committee.

Completed applications must be submitted in electronic format (Microsoft Word file or PDF file) to the CAG National Office at the email address below by August 14. The original application must be mailed concurrently to the CAG National Office at the address listed below.

LIST OF PARTICIPATING CANADIAN PROGRAM TRAINING CENTRES

• Dalhousie University, Halifax, Nova Scotia
• Queen’s University, Kingston, Ontario
• University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta
• McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario

OPPORTUNITIES FOR ADDITIONAL FUNDING

Applicants are strongly encouraged to explore the opportunity for additional funding through the International Scholarships Program offered by the Government of Canada.There are a number of scholarships available, including:

     * Canada - Latin American - Caribbean Awards
     * Canada-CARICOM Leadership Scholarships Program

Mail completed applications concurrently to:
CAG National Office
#224, 1540 Cornwall Road Oakville, ON L6J 7W5 CANADA
Phone: 905.829.2504 Toll free: 1.888.780.0007 Email