Long-term fellows at an AO Spine host center in Latin America are eligible to join the Associate Fellowship Program. This program provides valuable educational and networking opportunities within the AO Spine community.

Benefits

• AO Spine fellowship certificate upon completion.

• Access to AO Spine courses and seminars (subject to availability).

• Enrollment in the Continuing Education Program (CEP), a lato sensu postgraduate certification by the University of Caxias do Sul (Brazil).

• Networking opportunities with fellow professionals.

• Fellow toolkit.

Eligibility & Requirements

• Register through the host center following the institution’s specific process. Once approved, candidates will be invited to join as Associate Fellows./p>

• Submit all required documents within the specified timeframe.

Program Duration

12 to 24 months, depending on the regulations of the specific AO Spine host center

Stipend

No financial support is provided.

Enrollment & Application

Enrollment follows the guidelines set by each Latinamerican AO Spine host center. After acceptance into a fellowship program, candidates must submit the application along with the following documents:

• Résumé (including a list of published papers).

• Copy of Neurosurgery and/or Orthopedics Specialist certificate(s).

• Letter of acceptance from the selected AO Spine host center (indicating start and end dates).

Certification Requirements

To obtain certification, fellows must:

• Submit required documents for the Associate Fellow Program within three months of starting training.

• Complete CEP quizzes throughout the fellowship***.

• Maintain a Logbook (monthly reports of activities) and upload entries promptly.

• Participate in at least one clinical research project under the supervision of the host center director.

• Submit a Fellow Feedback Report (an anonymous assessment of the host center and training experience) upon program completion.

• Achieve a minimum evaluation score of 70% based on commitment, technical and interpersonal skills, and participation in mandatory activities to receive a fellowship attendance certificate.

 

***Academic Certification Option

Complete the CEP quizzes is mandatory for obtaining a fellowship certificate. However, Associate Fellows may opt to complete the full postgraduate program at no additional tuition cost. In this case, they must:

• Select this option at the beginning of the fellowship program.

• Complete all online modules and activities according to the program’s schedule. Failure to comply will result in exclusion from the virtual learning environment and loss of program benefits.

• Pay a final exam fee of USD 100.

Upon successful completion, they will receive both the fellowship attendance certificate and the postgraduate certificate.

To know more about the postgraduation, please visit the program page.

General information:

• Fellows must arrange their own health and travel insurance, ensuring full medical coverage for the program’s duration in accordance with the host institution’s requirements.

• Visas and Licenses: Fellows training outside their home country must comply with local laws and medical practice restrictions. Without the necessary medical licenses, participation in surgical procedures is not guaranteed and may be limited to observation.

• Participants are responsible for covering travel and accommodation expenses.

I want to be an Associate Fellow

The AO Spine Short-Term Fellowship is designed for surgeons with over a year of experience in spine surgery who seek to refine specific techniques and expand their knowledge of spine pathologies.

Benefits

• AO Spine fellowship certificate upon program completion.

• Access to AO Spine courses and seminars (subject to availability).

• Networking opportunities within the AO Spine fellow community.

• Fellow toolkit.

Eligibility Requirements

• Active AO Spine membership for at least two years before the application deadline.

• Age limit: 45 years.

• Must be a spine physician or specialized in orthopedics, neurosurgery, or trauma surgery with a strong interest in spine surgery.

• Proof of language proficiency (requirements vary by center).

• No prior fellowship stipend received in the last two years.

• Submission of all required documents within the deadline.

Program Duration

From 4 to 12 weeks.

Stipend

Fellows may receive a stipend to assist with accommodation and living expenses. However, this contribution may not fully cover all costs, including travel and insurance, which are the fellow’s responsibility.

Key stipend details:
• Payment is made based on the World Bank purchasing power. The World Bank data can be accessed here . The stipends are paid in Swiss francs equivalents.
• Stipends are disbursed within four weeks of the start date, following confirmation of arrival.
• The final stipend amount is determined by the Regional Community Development Officer, subject to budget availability.
• Travel and accommodation are the fellow’s responsibility.

Application Process

Applications are submitted online annually.

Required Documents:

• Resumé (including a list of published papers).
• Copy of Neurosurgery and/or Orthopedics Specialist diploma/certificate.
• Recommendation letter from a senior surgeon confirming over a year of spine surgery experience.
• Copy of certificates from the most recent AO event attended.
• Proof of language proficiency (if applicable).
• Health certificate.

*For some centers, applicants must provide proof of advanced English or local language proficiency through IELTS, TOEFL, or an equivalent certification.*

Certification Requirements

• Maintain and submit monthly logbooks detailing their activities.
• Participate in at least one clinical research project under the guidance of the host center director.
• Submit a confidential fellow feedback report evaluating the training and the host center.
• Achieve a performance score of at least 70% in mandatory activities assessed by the host center.

General information:

• Fellows must secure their own health and travel insurance, meeting the host institution’s requirements.
• Visas and medical practice licenses are subject to local laws. Fellows should be aware that participation in surgical procedures is not guaranteed without a specific medical license.
• Failure to comply with fellowship duties or early program cancellation results in exclusion from the virtual learning environment and loss of program benefits.
• Payments are made directly to the fellow’s personal bank account—third-party transactions are not allowed.
• Applicants for English-speaking centers may be required to complete a language proficiency assessment interview.

I want to be a Short-Term Fellow

The International Exchange Program offers surgeons a unique opportunity to gain hands-on experience with complex pathologies and specialized procedures. Now expanding to more centers worldwide, this program ensures that knowledge and skills acquired in AO Educational Events are effectively applied in the daily practice of spine surgeons across the region. Designed exclusively for Latin American members, it provides an invaluable opportunity for career advancement while enhancing patient care.
Participants will observe highly skilled spine surgeons addressing specialized topics such as minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS), trauma, adult and pediatric deformities, tumors, cervical conditions, infections, degenerative diseases, and research. The goal is to learn from some of the world’s leading experts who are eager to share their knowledge and expertise, enabling participants to apply these advanced skills in their own practice.

Eligibility Requirements

• Active AO Spine member for at least three years before the application deadline.
• Specialization in orthopedic or neurosurgery.
• Completion of at least one AO Spine advanced course relevant to the chosen topic.
• Minimum of three years of documented experience in spine surgery related to the selected topic.
• Proof of language proficiency as required by the chosen center.

Program Duration

From 1 to 4 weeks (depending on the availability of each center).

Stipend

Limited stipends may be available based on budget constraints and the final evaluation by the AO Spine Latin America Community Development Officer.

Application Process

Online application according to specific calls.

Required documents:

• Resume (including a list of published papers, if any).
• Copy of diploma or certification in Neurosurgery and/or Orthopedics.
• Recommendation letter from a senior surgeon verifying at least three years of experience in spine surgery.
• Copy of certificates from recent AO Spine educational events attended.
• Proof of language proficiency* (if applicable).

*Applicants to centers in countries where the language differs from their own must provide formal proof of advanced proficiency in the local language (as required by the center). Accepted certifications include IELTS, TOEFL, or equivalent.*

Available Topics

• Minimally Invasive Spine Surgery (MISS)
• Trauma
• Adult Deformity
• Pediatric Deformity
• Tumor
• Cervical
• Infection
• Degenerative
• Research

Terms and Conditions

• • Participants are responsible for their own travel and accommodation expenses.
• Participants must secure health and travel insurance covering the entire duration of the program, meeting the requirements of the host institution.
• Observers attending programs abroad must comply with local laws and medical practice restrictions. Without a valid medical license, participation may be limited to observation and note-taking.
• To receive a certificate of attendance, participants must complete a feedback form.
• Stipend payments, if granted, will be made directly to the observer’s bank account. No third-party transfers are allowed.
• Applicants to English-speaking centers may be required to undergo a language proficiency interview.

I want to do an International Exchange

To obtain your attendance certificate, you must complete all the following activities:

I. Logbook
• Submit a monthly report of your training activities via the Fellows' Portal.
• Failure to submit reports for three consecutive months will result in automatic removal from the program.

II. Continuing Education Program
Completing the CEP quizzes is mandatory to obtain the fellowship certificate. However, Associate Fellows may choose to complete the full postgraduate program at no additional tuition cost.
📌 [Click here] to learn how to access the platform and complete the quizzes. Fellows must complete all quizzes during their fellowship and achieve a minimum score of 80% on each to pass.

📌 [Click here] for more details about the full postgraduate program. Fellows opting for this track must
• Select this option at the start of their fellowship.
• Complete all online modules and activities according to the program schedule. Non-compliance will result in exclusion from the virtual learning environment and loss of program benefits.
• Pay a final exam fee of USD 100.
Upon successful completion, fellows will receive both the Fellowship Attendance Certificate and the Postgraduate Certificate.

III. Research Project
Fellows are required to participate in a research project aligned with the host center’s research focus.

IV. Fellow Feedback
At the end of training, fellows must submit a confidential evaluation of the program and activities they participated in.

V. Center Feedback
The host center will assess the fellow’s commitment, technical and interpersonal skills, and overall performance.

• The final score, determined by the center director, must be at least 70% to receive the Fellowship Attendance Certificate.

Extra Activities

🔹 Courses, Seminars, and Webinars

🔹 Spine Centers Club Webinars

Fellows & Past Fellows Meeting (a networking event held during AO Spine Latin America Regional Courses, providing a unique opportunity to connect with leading spine experts).