AATS/WTS Women Scholars Program - Women in Thoracic Surgery

The AATS/WTS Women Scholars Program allows general surgery residents and cardiothoracic surgery residents enrolled at an accredited institution, with an interest in cardiothoracic surgery, the opportunity to attend the AATS 106th Annual Meeting and the WTS 3rd Annual Conference, and to be mentored throughout both meetings by a WTS/AATS member. The award is a collaboration between the American Association for Thoracic Surgery and the Women in Thoracic Surgery.

The application process for the 2026 AATS/WTS Scholars Program will open January 29, 2026, and will close March 1, 2026.

Interested applicants will be required to submit the following application materials here.

- - Application form which includes a 250 word maximum essay question response
  - Current CV
  - Letter of support from the applicant’s medical school official or residency program director permitting participation in the full duration of the conference (Letter of support must reference the name of the applicant)
  - Letter of recommendation

The submission deadline for applications is March 1, 2026, 11:59 p.m. PDT.

Contact WTS Headquarters at help@wtsnet.org with questions. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

AATS/WTS Women Scholars Program for Attendance at the AATS 106th Annual Meeting and the WTS 3rd Annual Conference

AATS 106th Annual Meeting Dates:

Date: May 2-5, 2026
Location: McCormick Place, Lakeside Center, Chicago, IL, USA

WTS 2nd Annual Conference Dates:

Date: November 4-5, 2026
Location: Disney Yacht Club Hotel, Lake Buena Vista, FL

Award: Up to $1000 to cover air travel to both events (one round-trip coach class airfare). Registration fees are waived for scholarship recipients. AATS will provide registration, and lodging accommodations for up to four nights at a designated AATS Annual Meeting Hotel. WTS will provide registration, and lodging accommodations for up to 2 nights at the Disney Yacht Club Hotel, Lake Buena Vista, FL.

Mentor: A WTS/AATS member will be assigned prior to each event.

Award Payout:

Phase 1: Following the acceptance of the Scholars Program, AATS will provide the recipient with a $500 stipend for travel to the AATS Annual Meeting.
Phase 2: Following the WTS Annual Conference, up to $500 in travel expenses will be reimbursed upon receipt of a completed report/evaluation of experience, and expense reimbursement form and receipts.

Eligibility

Women general surgery residents, and cardiothoracic surgery residents enrolled at an accredited institution in the United States or Canada. In addition, women postdoctoral candidates in a research or other gap year who have graduated medical school in the U.S. and are committed to cardiothoracic surgery, are eligible to apply. Medical Students are not eligible to apply.

Applicant must be an active member of WTS, learn more and join here.

If you choose to accept any other scholarship to attend the AATS Meeting, you will be ineligible to accept this scholarship.

Award Presentation

The award is co-sponsored by the American Association for Thoracic Surgery and the Women in Thoracic Surgery.

The AATS/WTS Women Scholars Program Award will be presented live at the WTS Reception at the AATS 106th Annual Meeting in Chicago, IL.