The ACRO Resident Committee is acutely aware of the benefit that monetary support can provide for members. Given the increased difficulty in obtaining funding, the Resident Committee provides a variety of grants and scholarships for resident members.
Resident Heidelberg Ion Therapy (HIT) Center Elective Scholarships
The American College of Radiation Oncology (ACRO) in collaboration with Heidelberg University Hospital, Heidelberg Ion Therapy Center (HIT), and the ACRO Resident Committee are pleased to offer a unique opportunity for a 1-month international elective rotation at the Heidelberg Ion Therapy center in Heidelberg, Germany.
In an era of global development in radiation oncology it is beneficial residents gain exposure to the practice of oncology in the international realm. Experience with unique healthcare systems, patient populations, and treatment modalities broaden a resident’s understanding of the universal underlying themes in the care of the oncologic patient. Moreover, as proton therapy becomes more common in the United States it is important for graduating US radiation oncology residents to gain experience with this unique radiotherapeutic modality.
Heidelberg University Hospital has long been a leader in advancements in clinical, physics, and radiobiological research. The HIT itself is a world class ion therapy center originally opened in 2009 that is one of very few centers in the world treating patients with both proton and carbon therapy. The HIT treats a diverse group of patients from Germany, elsewhere in Europe, and around the world. These patients often arrive at the HIT with radioresistant tumor histologies, locally advanced tumors, and/or tumors adjacent to radiosensitive critical structures in the CNS, head & neck, and pelvis. Additionally, a large cohort of pediatric patients is treated at HIT with a variety of rare malignancies.
This rotation is an excellent opportunity to gain familiarity with proton/carbon treatment, complex and rare tumors/sites, and a distinctive healthcare system outside of the United States. In an effort to broaden awareness of radiation oncology practice abroad and the delivery of ion therapy, the ACRO Board of Chancellors and supporters of the College have appropriated funds to subsidize an international elective at the HIT center in Heidelberg, Germany.
Brief overview of a typical day:
08:00-09:00: Department meeting (in person or online) in German
09:00-12:00: ACRO residents can assist in treatment planning (GTV, CTV, PTV), visit the HIT facilities or join the outpatient clinic
13:00-17:00: ACRO residents can assist in treatment planning (GTV, CTV, PTV), visit the HIT facilities or join the outpatient clinic.
ACRO residents can also shadow our physicists and join the seminar series and lectures provided by the affiliated German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) (often in English!) and the National Center of Tumor Disease (NCT). Please note, that the ACRO residents are welcome to shadow at the outpatient clinic and see patients, however, within the formal limits of an observership.
Scholarship Details
ACRO will provide two $2,000 travel grants for radiation oncology trainees for a one-month elective at the HIT in Heidelberg, Germany.
Awardees tentative dates of travel should be between July and December 2024 (later dates are also considered).
The planned dates of travel must occur while the applicant remains an active resident.
Expenses exceeding the scholarship funds will be the responsibility of the scholarship recipient.
Depending on the length of the trip, activities pursued, and the time of year selected for travel, total costs will likely exceed the scholarship funds. Please note: Subsidized housing is available through the Heidelberg University Hospital for eligible rotating physicians. (Click here for details) Appropriate housing officials should be contacted well in advance of rotation to reserve a room.
Written certification of personal permission to travel internationally by the applicant’s Graduate Medical Education (GME) office AND chair/program director is required (see details below).
For those selected to receive the ACRO HIT Scholarship, additional paperwork for the HIT, proof of individual travel and medical-evacuation insurance are required prior to distribution of funds.
Awardees will provide a written summary with high-resolution photos of their elective rotation for ACRO publications. In addition, awardees will present an account of their experience at the ACRO Annual Meeting (The Radiation Oncology Summit) following their elective rotation. Recipients must make all arrangements to attend the meeting.
Final acceptance and disbursement of funds is subject to review and final approval by the ACRO Scholarship Committee, ACRO Board of Chancellors, and the Heidelberg University Hospital.
Failure to comply with program requirements may be subject to award revocation at the discretion of the ACRO Board of Chancellors and ACRO Resident Committee.
Eligibility
Applicants must be members of ACRO and in good standing at a U.S. radiation oncology residency or fellowship program.
Submission Requirements: All submissions must include the following:
Application Form, Applicant’s Curriculum Vitae, Personal Statement (1 page maximum), Letters of Support from:
-Radiation Oncology program chair or program director -Home institution GME office
Scholarship Recipient Additional Requirements
Acceptance to HIT: Scholarship winners must complete all requisite forms provided by the Heidelberg University Hospital and Heidelberg Ion Therapy center necessary for involvement in clinical work at both centers. Confirmation of rotation timeline must be provided to ACRO and HIT at least six months prior to rotation initiation. These documents typically include: updated curriculum vitae, unofficial undergraduate and graduate transcripts, letter of good standing from home institution, proof of vaccinations, and copy of medical training license(s). Additional documentation may be required per request from Heidelberg University Hospital.
Travel Insurance: Travel insurance including medical evacuation with “hospital of choice” provision and trip cancellation due to illness/family member emergency must be purchased. Confirmation of travel insurance coverage must be submitted to ACRO prior to distribution of funds.
Awardees must sign a waiver releasing ACRO of any liability or responsibility related to or in conjunction with their travel and stay.
Travel Confirmation: Confirmation of travel reservations must be provided to ACRO at least two months prior to rotation initiation.
ACRO Account of Travel Experience: Upon return to the United States, recipients will provide high-resolution photos of their experience directly to ACRO. The scholarship recipients will submit a written account of their experience suitable for publication in the ACRO Bulletin, on the ACRO website, and/or other publications as seen fit by ACRO Board of Chancellors.
ACRO Annual Meeting Presentation: Scholarship recipients will attend ACRO’s Annual Meeting in the calendar year following their trip to provide an account of their experience during the Resident Symposium, or as directed by the Scientific Program Committee. Scholarship recipients must make all arrangements to attend the ACRO Annual Meeting.
→ Apply using the form at the bottom of this page(Deadline extended to April 14, 2025 at 11:59 pm EST)
Submissions will be assessed, and grants will be awarded by members of the ACRO Resident Committee with input from the Board of Chancellors as needed.
Please contact Fraser Cobbe, ACRO Executive Director, with any questions or issues.
Description of documentation requirements below:
Personal Statement - Please describe your interest and/or experience with international practice of oncology. Include your goals for the trip and how this experience may impact your future as a radiation oncologist.
Letters of support: The trainee must demonstrate sufficient clinical training, as determined by a letter of support from the program director or chair of the resident’s institution. Specifically, this letter must indicate that the department supports and approves time away to the HIT elective as well as to the ACRO Annual Meeting. The resident should also provide a letter of support from the home institution GME office, ensuring the home institution’s guidelines permit and will facilitate international electives.
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