Visitor Training Program

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Key Dates

The program covers visa fees, round-trip airfare, accommodations, and daily living expenses for the duration of the training.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants to the Visitor Training Program must meet the following criteria:

• Be a hematologist or hematology-related health care professional working in a hospital, clinic, or laboratory in a low- or middle-income country (as defined by ASH).
• Must be permanently employed at your institution; cannot be a fellow or trainee.
• Have a host mentor who is an ASH member in good standing. The host mentor may be from any country, and the host institution may be located anywhere in the world.
• Have a need for specific training in a procedure(s) that will benefit hematology patient care at your home institution.
• Have the relevant equipment and supplies necessary to implement the requested training are available at your home institution.

Individual research projects will not be considered. ASH membership is not required.

Host Mentor Requirements

Each VTP applicant must have a host mentor who is an ASH member in good standing and who has agreed to the responsibilities of participating in the program. The host mentor may be from any country, and the host institution can be located anywhere in the world.

The VTP no longer contains a mentor-match component – all applicants will need to find their own mentor in order to apply. ASH cannot provide names or contact information for any of our members, but please consider the following suggestions to help you locate a mentor:

• Research experts in your field online, authors on scientific papers (including Blood), speakers at the ASH Annual Meeting, etc.
• Mentors located in countries in your region or in your own country who could provide training that may be more applicable at your institution (research local meetings and societies that may host experts in your field).

Once you have names of possible mentors, you may contact Erin Sheek to inquire about their membership status. Once confirmed, you will need to reach out to them directly explaining your training request, and ask if they are willing to serve as your mentor.

Criteria for Evaluation, Selection, and Notification

The ASH International Members Committee (IMC) oversees the Visitor Training Program and selects participants. Applicants will be notified of the IMC's decision by the end of July. Please note that if you are selected for this award, you can decide your own training dates (with the approval of your host mentor) anytime within one year of receiving the award.

How to Apply

Step 1: Confirm your eligibility to participate in the program. Review the eligibility requirements above to find out whether you are eligible.

Step 2: Identify a specific topic or technique that will benefit hematology patient care at your institution. Your institution must have the infrastructure to support and implement the training you receive. For example, if you wish to receive training in flow cytometry, your hospital must have a flow cytometer and financial resources to purchase necessary supplies and maintenance.

Step 3: Identify and contact a host mentor.

Step 4: Complete the application and submit any additional documents by the deadline. The VTP application, as well as all supporting documents outlined below, must be submitted electronically through the online application portal. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

• Applicant's Curriculum Vitae
• Home Institution Support Form (Must be completed and submitted directly by the applicant’s supervisor. Applicants do not have access to this document.)
• Home Institution Letter of Support (Must be written and submitted directly by the applicant’s supervisor.)
• Host Institution Letter of Recommendation (Must be written and submitted directly by the applicant’s mentor.)
• Host Mentor Checklist (Must be completed and submitted directly by the applicant’s mentor. Applicants do not have access to this document)

Terms and Conditions

Applicants who are selected to participate agree to:

• Complete the training within one year of notification of the award.
• Give at least two months’ notice of arrival to the host mentor and ASH staff.
• Coordinate the time and necessary materials for training with the host mentor.
• Communicate in a language acceptable to the host mentor.
• Participate in follow-up evaluations at one month, six months, and one year post-training.

The host mentor agrees to:

• Prepare the appropriate training and fully engage the participant.
• Assist the participant with adapting to the culture of the host institution and country.
• Ensure that appropriate permission is granted for the participant to train at the host institution.
• Participate in a follow-up evaluation, as requested.

Program Evaluations

In order to help measure program success, ASH requires VTP participants to complete evaluation forms 30 days, six months, and one year after they have concluded their training.

Reminders to complete the program evaluations will be sent via email at the appropriate intervals post-training. The evaluation forms may be accessed via the ASH Awards Portal, under "My Evaluations".

The purpose of the evaluations is to:

• Measure the degree to which the participant was able to implement, at their home institution, the training received during the VTP experience.
• Assess the impact of the program on the participant's professional career.
• Give the participant an opportunity to provide feedback on their personal experiences with the program.
• Allow the participant to express any issues that have arisen since returning to their home institution concerning the implementation of skills and procedures learned.

Questions?

Please see the VTP Frequently Asked Questions. For other questions or requests for additional information, contact Erin Sheek, International Programs Manager, at [email protected] or 202-552-4941.