APPLICATION TIMELINE & ROUTEPlan the application.
- Status at last source review
- Current availability unconfirmed
The AO overview says the 2027 call is closed and the 2028 call opens in April 2027. The host profile does not say whether this centre takes fellows in the 2028 round or any intake dates.
- Commencement
- Not recorded · confirm the intended intake
- Duration
- 4–12 weeks under the AO Spine Short-term International Fellowship programme; the host profile does not give its own duration.
- Positions
- Not recorded · ask about places for the intended intake
- Application route
- Apply through the annual AO Spine Short-term International Fellowship call and select this host centre; the 2027 call is closed and the 2028 call opens in April 2027 (closes May 2027, results September 2027). Applications need an active AO Spine membership and a document set including motivation letter, CV with publications, diploma, recent AO course certificate, a senior surgeon's recommendation letter, passport copy and proof of English.
- Standalone deadline
- AO Spine call for the 2028 programme: opens April 2027, closes May 2027; results September 2027.
- Official contact
- Not published in this profile
Open application source ↗ELIGIBILITY & REQUIREMENTSPublished entry requirements.
Clinical or academic eligibility
The AO Spine overview asks for a spine physician or an orthopaedic, neurosurgery or trauma surgeon with a strong interest in spine surgery, prior participation in at least one AO course or event, at least two years of AO membership before applying, no spine fellowship in the past two years (self-funded excepted), and age 45 or under at application. Host-specific: The host answers that AO fellows do not have an opportunity to scrub in, so this should be treated as an observational placement.
Training level
Fully trained orthopaedic surgeons and neurosurgeons (young surgeons up to 45 years old with strong interest in spine surgery), per the AO Spine programme overview.
Funding and support
AO Spine pays a small stipend towards accommodation and living costs (benchmark USD 550 per week in the US, adjusted for local price levels); the stipend may not cover all costs, and travel and insurance are the fellow's responsibility. AO Spine does not arrange accommodation.
Benefits, fees & relocation
- Programme and application fees
- Not recorded. Confirm tuition, application and placement fees; missing fees do not mean the placement is free.
- Benefits
- Small stipend toward accommodation and living costs; benchmark USD 550 per fellowship week in the US, adjusted for local price level, paid in Swiss franc equivalents. May not cover all costs.
- Insurance
- Travel and insurance costs must be fully covered by the fellow (AO Spine overview).
- Accommodation
- AO Spine does not arrange accommodation in the host country; the stipend is only a contribution.
Application documents
- Letter of motivation
- CV including list of publications
- Medical or specialisation diploma copy
- Most recent AO Spine course/event certificate
- Recommendation letter from a senior surgeon (signed, not older than 6 months)
- Passport copy
- Proof of English proficiency
Licence, examinations, language & visa
The host answers that AO fellows do not have an opportunity to scrub in, so this should be treated as an observational placement. Examination requirements are not recorded in this profile. English is the dominant operating-room language; host rates team English 5/5 written and 5/5 spoken. Visa and work-authorisation requirements need direct confirmation.
