AO Spine pays a small stipend as a contribution to travel, accommodation and meals (benchmark USD 550 per week in the USA, adjusted for local price level via the World Bank PPP ratio, paid in Swiss-franc equivalents); it may not cover all costs. Travel and insurance are paid by the fellow and AO Spine does not arrange accommodation.
Deadline
May 2027 (2028 programme; exact day not published)
Duration
4 to 12 weeks (AO Spine Short-term International Fellowship)
Hands-on
No hands-on role indicated
Clinical exposureShort-term AO Spine fellowship at a listed AO Spine host centre: 175 beds, about 770 spine surgical cases per year; fellows may scrub in. Pain department with all modalities including spinal cord stimulation, a two-week chronic low back pain programme with Real Health NL, and rehabilitation collaboration with Radboud spinal trauma unit; techniques include navigation, anterior and minimally invasive surgery.
Participation levelObservational pathway. No independent patient care or operative privileges are implied.
INTERNATIONAL APPLICANT CHECK
Can an international surgeon apply?
≈Partially published
International applicants
AO Spine selects fellows worldwide through its regional process; applicants must be AO Spine members for at least two years and aged 45 or under, and the host centre's OR language is Dutch with proficient English.
?Confirm directly with host
Clinical role
Observational pathway; no independent patient care is implied. Hands-on clinical activity is not described for this observational pathway.
≈Partially published
Medical registration
Fellow must hold a medical degree in orthopaedic surgery or neurosurgery, provide a letter of interest in spine surgery and two letters of recommendation, be fully vaccinated against hepatitis and show MRSA clearance before arrival (re-tested on arrival before OR access).
✓Published by official source
Language
Dominant OR language is Dutch; the host rates its team's written and spoken English 5/5. Proof of English proficiency is required by AO Spine.
—Not published
Visa or work authorisation
Visa sponsorship and work-authorisation information are not published.
DATA QUALITY & AVAILABILITY83% of core application fields verifiedChecked 8 Oct 2026 · Next scheduled editorial review: 2027-04-06
✓ programme title✓ institution / department✓ city and country✓ programme classification✓ subspecialty✓ current status evidence✓ duration✓ funding✓ accommodation / relocation✓ eligibility✓ international eligibility✓ language✓ registration✓ deadline✓ application process✓ required documents✓ application portal✓ official contact✓ faculty✓ verified institution logo✓ official source✓ institutional source✓ accreditation / organisation source✓ verification date— positions · not published by the cited official source— commencement / intake · not published by the cited official source— benefits · not published by the cited official source— visa / work authorisation · not published by the cited official source— Verified faculty photograph not available · queued for source review
APPLICATION TIMELINE & CONTACT
Plan the application
Application deadlineMay 2027 (2028 programme; exact day not published)
Commencing dateIntake date not published
Application route / cycleThe 2027 call is closed. For the 2028 programme the call opens April 2027 and closes May 2027, with results in September 2027.
Official contactAkkie Rood (surgeon in charge of fellows)
Spine physician or surgeon specialised in orthopaedics, neurosurgery or trauma surgery with a strong interest in spine surgery
Previous participation in at least one AO course or AO event (online or face to face)
At least two years' AO Spine membership before applying
No spine fellowship in the past two years (except self-funded)
Up to 45 years old at the time of application
Application documents
Letter of motivation
Updated CV including publications
Copy of medical or specialisation diploma (orthopaedics or neurosurgery)
Most recent AO Spine course/event certificate
One recommendation letter from a senior surgeon (signed, under 6 months old)
Copy of passport
Proof of English proficiency (certificate or self-statement)
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
What this program offers
AO Spine host-centre placement at Sint Maartenskliniek, Orthopaedic Center within the AO Spine Short-term International Fellowship (4–12 weeks). Applications for the 2028 programme open in April 2027 and close in May 2027.
ACCOMMODATION & RELOCATION
Published housing information
✓ Official source mentions accommodation
⌂
Accommodation is mentioned in the published funding or benefits information: AO Spine pays a small stipend as a contribution to travel, accommodation and meals (benchmark USD 550 per week in the USA, adjusted for local price level via the World Bank PPP ratio, paid in Swiss-franc equivalents); it may not cover all costs. Travel and insurance are paid by the fellow and AO Spine does not arrange accommodation.
HOST INSTITUTION
About Sint Maartenskliniek, Orthopaedic Center
Sint Maartenskliniek's Orthopaedic Center near Nijmegen is an AO Spine Fellowship Host Center (175 beds; about 770 spine cases a year) and also runs an NOV-accredited one-year spine fellowship.
