Stephan Perren AO Trauma Research Traveling Fellowship
The Stephan Perren AO Trauma Research Traveling Fellowship is open to AO Trauma members from Europe and Southern Africa and the Middle East and Northern Africa.
Each year, this prestigious fellowship selects five enthusiastic researchers with a passion for trauma care, offering them the chance to collaborate with leading experts and gain hands-on experience in cutting-edge trauma and musculoskeletal research. Fellows begin their journey with a two-week immersion at the world-renowned AO Research Institute Davos (ARI) in Switzerland in the spring, followed by an additional two weeks in the fall at one of several premier research centers across Europe and the UK.
During their fellowship, fellows have the opportunity to refine and enhance their own research proposals. They will receive expert feedback, gain insights into the latest research methodologies, and prepare for future grant submissions. This immersive experience enables fellows to develop a deeper understanding of ongoing research in trauma, biomechanics, and musculoskeletal regeneration, while expanding their skills in research techniques. Additionally, fellows will become part of a global network of researchers and institutions, fostering lasting professional connections that will support their future careers.
Applications are now open for the Stephan Perren AO Trauma Research Traveling Fellowship 2025
Submit your application before January 22, 2025 – 23:59 CET
Research Centres
Each host institution actively contributes to trauma and musculoskeletal research through a variety of experimental, clinical, and biomechanical approaches.
Fellowship Periods and Host Centres:
September 29 – October 12, 2025:
- Julius Wolff Institute for Biomechanics and Musculoskeletal Regeneration Berlin Institute of Health and Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Germany
- University Hospital of Zurich, Department of Trauma, Zurich, Switzerland
- University of Leeds, Academic Department of Trauma, Leeds, United Kingdom
May 26 – June 8, 2025:
- AO Research Institute Davos (ARI)
Note: Applicants may indicate their preferred host institution for the fall term, though final assignments depend on availability.
Stipend and Financial Support
The fellowship provides a grant to support travel and lodging costs for the four-week program:
- CHF 4,000 for candidates from Europe and Southern Africa
- CHF 5,000 for candidates from the Middle East and Northern Africa (reflecting higher travel costs)
Please note: The stipend is intended as a contribution towards travel, accommodation, and meal expenses; it may not fully cover all costs. Fellows are responsible for arranging their own accommodation and insurance.
Selection and Post-Fellowship Reporting
The selection process is led by senior faculty members from each host institution, including regional trauma research chairs, who conduct a thorough peer review of all applications.
Following the fellowship, each participant is required to submit a detailed final report outlining their experiences and insights gained. This report should be sent to the AO office within one month of completing the program.
For any additional questions or support, please reach out to us at perren.fellowship@aofoundation.org
Who can apply?
The Stephan Perren AO Trauma Research Traveling Fellowship welcomes passionate, early-career researchers with a commitment to advancing trauma care. We invite applications from:
- Researchers under 45 with a strong interest in trauma care
- Qualified surgeons or those in training, specializing in trauma, orthopedics, or related surgical fields
- AO Trauma members residing in AO Trauma Europe and Southern Africa, or AO Trauma Middle East and Northern Africa regions
- Experienced in trauma research, including authorship of a clinical or basic research article, participation in a trauma-related project, or hands-on experience in clinical and basic research activities
- Completed AO Trauma courses, specifically the Basic and Advanced Principles courses
Applicants should submit:
- A personal letter detailing your career goals, motivation, and vision for your professional future in trauma care
- (Optional) A project proposal to be refined during your fellowship for expert feedback
How to apply:
To apply, please prepare the following documents:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Certificates from AO Trauma Basic and Advanced Principles courses
- Medical school diploma
- Recommendation letter from your Head of Department
- Personal letter of application, including your motivation, initiative, and preferred career path in trauma care
Research Focus Areas at Participating Centres
-
AO Research Institute Davos (ARI)
- Biomechanics: Bone-implant construct stability testing with anatomical specimens and computer simulations
- Fracture Healing: Optimization, monitoring and prediction of bone healing with new implant concepts, implantable sensors, diagnostic and prognostic healing simulations
- Surgical Education: Development of innovative tools for digitally enhanced training and assessment of surgical knowledge and skills
- Bone Formation: In vivo and in vitro mechanobiology of bone healing with bioreactors and animal models using spatial transcriptomics and predictive biomarker towards personalized treatment
- Cartilage and IVD regeneration: Novel cell-based and biomaterial-based therapeutic strategies investigated in organ models with multiaxial bioreactors
- Biomaterials: Scaffolds and gels for promotion of tissue regeneration and infection prevention, novel contactless biofabrication technologies with sound guided tissue regeneration
- Anti-infection: Preclinical models for pathophysiology, prevention and treatment of musculoskeletal
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University of Zurich, Trauma Department
- Biomechanics: Studying fracture morphology, treatment comparisons, and implant biomechanics.
- Fracture Healing: Investigating critical size defects in animal models, responses to long bone injuries, and effects of stabilization methods.
- Bone Formation: Examining mesenchymal stem cells' capacity for bone formation and their differentiation under external influences.
- Clinical Studies: Conducting big data analysis, clinical trials, and motion analysis.
-
University of Leeds, Academic Department of Trauma
- Bone Regeneration: Lab techniques for mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) isolation and manipulation, scaffold development, and clinical exposure to bone repair methods.
- Biomechanics: Gait analysis protocols, laboratory exposure to biomechanical testing, and approaches to analyzing gait patterns.
- Clinical Trials: Methodologies for trial setup, patient recruitment, and ethical approval processes.
- Immuno-inflammatory Response: Research on the pathogenesis of organ failure, molecular mediators, and quantification using ELISA kits.
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Wolff Institute Berlin
- Biomechanics and Biophysics: Investigating joint loading, musculoskeletal analysis, spine biomechanics, and trauma fixation.
- Musculoskeletal Regeneration: Studying cell biology, molecular traumatology, bone healing, and advanced therapies.
- Facilities include various gait labs, biomechanical testing labs, and instrumentation for clinical trials and implant analysis.
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