Description: Fellowships provide an excellent opportunity for young doctors to develop their professional, scientific, and technical skills. However, obtaining a fellowship requires considerable effort, and with so many opportunities available, it can be challenging to find the right one.

Objectives – Aim and Learning Outcomes of this Instructional Course: · To provide an overview of national and international ENT fellowship opportunities across various subspecialties (e.g., rhinology, otology, pediatric ENT, head & neck, facial plastic surgery) · To understand the structure, requirements, and application processes for fellowships in different countries · To share practical insights on preparing a competitive fellowship application (CV, motivation letter, reference letters) · To explore how fellowships contribute to clinical expertise and academic development in an ENT career

This Course is Intended For: · Young ENT colleagues and residents interested in pursuing advanced clinical or research training through fellowships · Senior ENT colleagues seeking guidance to support or mentor junior colleagues in their fellowship planning

What to Expect from this Course: · Comprehensive lectures on fellowship structures in Europe, the UK, the US, and other international programs · Step-by-step guidance through fellowship application processes, timelines, and key requirements · Interactive discussion of real-world experiences from recent fellows · Open Q&A sessions addressing common doubts, barriers, and practical concerns · Peer exchange and network-building among participants interested in similar paths

Structure: Session duration: 30 minutes. Presentation time: 10 minutes per speaker. Discussion: 5 minutes after each talk. One speaker will focus on fellowship opportunities and benefits; the other on practical aspects and how to apply.

Background:

1. Surda P, Fokkens WJ. Novel, Alternative, and Controversial Therapies of Rhinitis. Immunol Allergy Clin North Am. 2016 May;36(2):401-23. doi: 10.1016/j.iac.2015.12.014. Epub 2016 Mar 8. PMID: 27083111.

2. Walker A, Surda P. Unsupervised Learning Techniques for the Investigation of Chronic Rhinosinusitis. Ann Otol Rhinol Laryngol. 2019 Dec;128(12):1170-1176. doi: 10.1177/0003489419863822. Epub 2019 Jul 18. PMID: 31319675.

3. Faulkner J, Naidoo R, Arora A, Jeannon JP, Hopkins C, Surda P. Combined robotic transorbital and transnasal approach to the nasopharynx and anterior skull base: Feasibility study. Clin Otolaryngol. 2020 Jul;45(4):630-633. doi: 10.1111/coa.13550. Epub 2020 May 11. PMID: 32301568.

4. M. Cherkes, P. Pondorfer-Schaefer, J. Pock, S. Spendel, D. Thurnher, Case Report.A toddler with acute, life-threatening airway obstruction due to a retropharyngeal macrocytic lymphatic malformation: successful emergency sclerotherapy., International Journal of Pediatric Otorhinolaryngology, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijporl.2025.112433.

5. Iannella G., Pace A., Greco A., De Virgilio A., Gatti L, Maniaci A., Lechien J., Hervochon R., Faramarzi A., Mat Q., Cherkes M., Koiner-Graupp M, Boscolo-Rizzo P., Vaira LA & Magliulo G. (25 Nov 2024): Endoscopic versus microscopic approach in the treatment of atelectatic otitis media, Acta Oto-Laryngologica, DOI: 10.1080/00016489.2024.2424947

6. Cherkes M., Masna Z., Rudes M., Vasyliv M. Variability of pneumatization of the frontal and maxillary sinus accorded CT scans data. 67th Austrian ENT Congress. September 27th – 30th. 2023. Vienna. Austria. Abstract Book. PN 26. p. 102.

7. Bobyk VP, Raba BM, Cherkes MB et al. Newborn hearing screening: results of the first phase of the pilot program. Experimental and clinical physiology and biochemistry, ECPB 2023, 1/2(96):68–74.