The International Academic Mentorship (IAM) scholarship is meant to bring research mentors together with international mentees, particularly those in low to middle-income countries. The program will pair mentees with mentors who will provide mentorship for everything from design to manuscript development to be submitted to the AAST annual meeting. The IAM is sponsored by the AAST's International Relations Committee (IRC).

Mentors and mentees are expected to commit to a two-year (2) program with evaluations at the end of every year.

At the end of this 2 year program, mentees are expected to present the work performed at the AAST Annual Meeting. Presentations will be made at the IRC committee meeting, breakfast, and/or as a podium presentation if accepted by the AAST Program Committee.

The online form for MENTEES can be found here.

The online form for MENTORS can be found here in March.

 AAST is looking for mentees to apply starting in March!

The areas of research that are grounded in Trauma and Acute Care Surgery are broad. These areas may be in the realms of:

  • Clinical/Translational
  • Basic Science
  • Public Health
  • Global Surgery

The AAST will provide the mentee with $2,500 USD to offset travel and lodging costs to the AAST annual meeting for a completed project. Scholarship product in the form of a research article, a curriculum developed, or other academic products (i.e. grant submission).

All applications must be submitted using the online form. For any questions, please reach out to Jermica Smith. The 2026 IAM application cycle close on May 1st, 2026.

Mentors will be selected after the Annual Meeting. The research pair will be announced after the new year.  

Criteria for Mentees

  • Must be from an international (non-US/Canada) institution, preferably from a low-middle income country
  • Must be a trainee and junior faculty (faculty < 5 years from the end of training)

Expectations for Mentees

  • Mentees are expected to commit to a two-year program with evaluations at the end of every year
  • Committed to meeting on a quarterly basis with a mentor to provide a research proposal at the end of the program

Criteria for Mentors

  • Must be an associate or full professor level
  • Proven track record of publication
  • Must be an AAST Fellow
  • Previous mentor experience is encouraged, but not required

Expectations for Mentors

  • Committed to establishing quarterly meetings to review proposals
  • Turn in yearly progress reports with a mentee over a two year period
  • Committed to meeting on a quarterly basis with a mentor to provide a research proposal at the end of the program