Visiting Trainee Program

The May 1, 2008 application deadline for the Visiting Trainee Program has now passed.

The Visiting Trainee Program was created to provide funding support to hematologists and medical professionals from developing countries who seek valuable clinical laboratory or technological training on a specific topic for up to 12 weeks at a host institution. During this period it is expected that the participants will gain new knowledge and skills that can be applied upon return to their home institutions.

The ASH International Members Committee (IMC) is responsible for oversight of all aspects of the Visiting Trainee Program, including the selection of applicants for participation, program evaluation, financial oversight, and recommendations for improvement (in consultation with the ASH Executive Committee).

Application and Review Process

Candidates must complete the Visiting Trainee Program Application and submit it with a letter of recommendation from the proposed host institution that expounds on the specific training being proposed. Applicants must identify a host site and representative (who is an ASH member in good standing) for the proposed short-term clinical or laboratory experience and give a clear statement of the topic or goal of the training program. Applicants must explain why this experience cannot be obtained in their own countries as well as what infrastructure is available and how the knowledge will be applied once they return to their home institutions.

Applications submitted by the deadline will be reviewed by the IMC for experiences to occur anytime between August 1 and July 31 of the program year. Both applicants selected for participation and the host institution representative will receive official notification of acceptance.

Each applicant chosen to participate in the program will be assigned a program mentor from the IMC. This mentor will be responsible for evaluation and follow-up with the participant. The participant will be responsible for establishing a relationship with his/her program mentor and maintaining regular contact.

Eligibility

Applicants must be from one of the countries defined as "developing" by ASH. Applicants from institutions where a member of the IMC practices hematology are not eligible at this time. If an applicant is deemed ineligible by the IMC during the review process, the applicant will be contacted and informed that he or she was considered ineligible and, where possible, offered suggestions for reapplication the following year. Applicants are not permitted to submit multiple applications within the same award year.

Financial Support

Applicants must provide a detailed budget request. Funding may be requested for travel, accommodations, food, etc. No specific budget items are required and none are prohibited, but applicants should know that the IMC will strive to get the greatest return for the program’s investment; therefore, applicants are strongly encouraged to seek either monetary or in-kind support from their home and/or their host institution and request only what is absolutely needed.

Evaluation

After completing the program, each participant and corresponding host institution representative will be asked to complete and submit a training experience summary and evaluation form describing their experience and providing any suggestions regarding program enhancements. Information about success, or lack thereof, in transferring the newly gained knowledge and skills to the home institution and country must also be provided. Forms must be submitted in hard copy via fax, 202-776-0545, or mail:

ASH Visiting Trainee Program
Attn: LaFaundra Neville, Executive Assistant
1900 M Street, NW, Suite 200
Washington, DC 20036

Participants will also be required to provide an additional evaluation after one year of participating in the program, documenting continued interactions and substantive changes and improvements that have occurred as a result of the experience. This additional information is used in evaluating the impact of the program.

Publicity and Marketing

The Visiting Trainee Program was created in 2003, and first announced at the 2003 ASH Annual Meeting. The program is advertised via e-mail to ASH members, as well as hematology associations, and foreign entities accessible through ASH’s international outreach partners. In addition, the program is advertised to recipients of educational materials distributed through the International Outreach Initiative.

Questions

If you have any questions or require any additional information regarding the ASH Visiting Trainee Program, please contact LaFaundra Neville, Executive Assistant, by e-mail at lneville@hematology.org or phone at 202-776-0544, ext. 4913.