Scholarships

The Smile Train-KidsOR Paediatric Surgery Scholarship 2025

Applications for the 2025 Smile Train-Kids Operating Room (KidsOR) paediatric surgery scholarship are now open.

The Smile Train-KidsOR Paediatric Surgery Scholarship seeks to realise the required paediatric surgeon density in Africa that will ensure timely access to safe surgical healthcare for all children including those affected by cleft lip and palate. The scholarship, now in its third year, has supported more than thirty (30) paediatric surgery trainees across more than eighteen countries in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Eligibility Requirements

Applicants Must:

• Have applied to or already enrolled in a full-time paediatric surgery training program on the African continent. Supported paediatric surgery training programs include:
  • College Of Surgeons of East, Central, and Southern Africa (COSECSA) Membership and Fellowship towards the attainment of FCS (ECSA) Paed
  • Diplôme D'études Spécialisées (DES) En Chirurgie Pédiatrique
  • Colleges Of Medicine of South Africa Fellowship of The College Of Paediatric Surgeons of South Africa (FC Paed Surg (SA).
  • West African College of Surgeons (WACS) Membership and Fellowship towards attainment of fellowship of paediatric surgery.
• Have maintained academic excellence at undergraduate level (if not yet in postgraduate training) or at postgraduate level (if in postgraduate training).
• Be willing to undertake post-paediatric surgery training in cleft lip and palate repair.
• Be willing to be an ambassador for Smile Train and Kids Operating Room in their country of nationality during and after their paediatric surgery training.

Selection Criteria

Applicants will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

• Financial Need: Demonstrated inability to afford specialised training, where failure to obtain the scholarship would result in an inability to start, remain, or complete specialised training.
• Leadership and Advocacy Mindset: Ambitious, driven to improve self, resilient, concerned for and helpful to others, willing to step up and be a champion for those who cannot speak for themselves.
• Commitment to Safe Surgery for Children: Evidence of involvement in child surgical healthcare especially for cleft lip and palate including volunteer work, research, and community engagement.
• While all applications are welcome, applicants from the following countries with lower paediatric surgeon densities will be specially considered: Angola, Benin, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Chad, Cote d'Ivoire, Gambia, The, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mozambique, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, Zimbabwe.

Application Requirements

• Round One: Scholars will have to fill and submit an online application (personal/academic information and some short response essays). Deadline: 15/12/2024.
• Round Two: Scholars who make the shortlist will be required to submit proof of admission to training program, academic transcripts (both undergraduate and postgraduate where applicable), a two-page resume, and two recommendation letters.
• Round Three: Successful applicants will be notified of scholarship award.

Apply Now