AST Medical Student and Resident ATC 2026 Travel Grant
Application is open through March 30, 2026
The American Transplant Congress (ATC) is the premier event for organ transplantation physicians, scientists, surgeons, and others. It brings together attendees around the country to learn cutting-edge scientific ideas and clinical practice. ATC is organized jointly by the American Society of Transplant Surgeons (ASTS) and the American Society of Transplantation (AST).
Attending ATC offers medical students and residents a valuable chance to explore the field of transplantation and build meaningful connections with fellow trainees, mentors, and transplant professionals nationwide.
The American Society of Transplantation, with the continued support of the Trainee and Young Faculty Community of Practice (TYF COP) and the Women’s Health Community of Practice (WHCOP) is offering this grant to foster interest among the next generation of medical professionals in a career in transplantation. We anticipate offering multiple grants, with the final number determined by the quality and quantity of applications received.
ATC 2026 will take place in Boston, MA from June 20 – 24, 2026.
Who We’re Looking For:
✅ Applicants – Medical students and residents (including pharmacy students and residents) with an interest in transplantation (no prior experience required). Grant recipients will receive funding for travel, lodging, and registration.
✅ Application Reviewers – Transplant professionals willing and available to review and evaluate applications to help select the most promising future transplant professionals. Go
✅ Mentors – Experienced transplant professionals who can provide guidance and support to grant recipients before and during ATC 2026. Mentors play a vital role in shaping the next generation of transplant leaders. Go
Medical Students and Residents
Eligibility
- Medical Student or Resident (including pharmacy students and residents) enrolled in an accredited program or residency at the time of ATC.
- Able to attend ATC and all relevant events.
- Must be an AST Student or Trainee member by application deadline (March 30).
- The student membership is currently available by request only. Please email info@myast.org to join.
- Interest in pursuing a career in transplant, though commitment is not necessary.
Fellows are not eligible for this grant.
Submission Materials
- Application
- CV/Resume
- Letter of Recommendation
- The letter must be written by a faculty member, mentor, supervisor, or other professional who has directly interacted with the applicant in their medical education, clinical training, or research.
- It must be written on institutional letterhead.
- The letter should confirm the applicant’s status as a medical student or resident and explain why they should be selected for this program.
- Statement of Interest (300-500 words). Please use the questions below to guide your response. You do not need to answer every question in your response.
- Why are you interested in transplantation?
- Why are you interested in attending ATC?
- What do you hope to get from the conference?
- Describe how you plan to make the most of this opportunity.
- What are your career goals and how will this opportunity enhance your plans?
Expectations
- Each recipient will be matched with a mentor and is expected to connect virtually before ATC and meet in person during the conference. These interactions are designed to support professional development and help mentees make the most of their ATC experience.
- Recipients will be recognized at the AST Town Hall (Monday, June 22 from 5:45 to 7:30 PM), so they will be expected to attend the meetings, if available.
- All recipients will be provided with a curated roadmap of sessions to attend.
- Recipients will provide feedback on their experience after the meeting.
What will this grant provide?
The grant is for reimbursable expenses up to $1,000 to attend ATC. Reimbursement expenses may include:
- Registration to the ATC meeting
- Round-trip coach airfare
- Hotel/Lodging room and tax
- Meals while traveling
- Airport ground transfers (via shared van service, taxi, ride service, etc.)
Applications are due March 30, 2026.
The Society remains committed to a diverse and inclusive culture. Medical students and residents are encouraged to apply with an eye towards diversity in age, gender, ethnicity, and race, and other underrepresented minorities.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact Olivia Snow at osnow@myast.org
Submit your Application Today!
The AST is now accepting applications for the Medical Student and Resident ATC 2026 Grant!
SubmitReviewer Application
We are seeking individuals to serve as application reviewers for this program. Last year, we received 87 eligible applications, and a similar volume is anticipated this cycle. Reviewers will participate in two rounds of review and should expect to spend approximately five total hours evaluating applications. To serve as a reviewer, individuals must be available to complete their assigned reviews between March 30 and April 22.
Mentor Application
As part of the program, each grant recipient will be paired with a mentor who is a member of AST and will be attending the American Transplant Congress (ATC) in 2026.
Mentor–mentee pairs are expected to connect virtually prior to ATC and continue their collaboration throughout the meeting. Mentors should plan to dedicate approximately 1–2 hours before ATC for introductory conversations, goal‑setting, and preparation. During ATC, mentors are expected to meet with their mentee in person, provide guidance on program attendance, and help facilitate networking and professional development opportunities.
This mentorship experience not only provides meaningful support and connection for trainees, but also contributes to strengthening the transplantation workforce. By actively engaging the next generation of transplant professionals, this initiative plays a vital role in advancing the future of the field.
Apply to Mentor
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