Grants

As one of the objectives of Vascular Access Society is to enhance hands-on clinical training for medical students, residents, and fellows of nephrology, vascular surgery, surgery, radiology or nurses.

I – OBJECT
Article 1
The VAS will annually support up to 2 grants. These grants are intended to support internships or training periods in the field of dialysis access, in a European country, during the year for which the application is submitted. The purpose of the Grant is to support training for young surgeons, interventional radiologists, nephrologists, and nurses:
• 1 grant for nurses (duration up to 2 weeks) : € 1000
• 1 grant for residents (duration of up to 2 months): € 2000

II – ELIGIBILITY
Article 2
This grant is open to physicians or nurses who are members of the VAS in good standing.
Each member may apply for only one grant

III – APPLICATION PROCESS
Article 3
Applications must be submitted in PDF format via email the call for applications is opened and no later than 30 days, using the appropriate application form.

Article 4
The application must include:
a) Applicant's identification;
b) Home institution;
c) Current stage in career;
d) Topic, location, duration, and work plan for the internship, including objectives to be achieved;
e) A statement from the home institution expressing interest in the internship;
f) A letter of acceptance from the host institution where the internship will take place;
g) Information about other grants received or applied for with the same project and timeframe.

Article 5
The application file must contain:
a) All related documents;
b) Date of submission.

IV – DEADLINES
Article 6
Within 14 days after the application deadline, the Board of the Society will verify compliance with these regulations, informing applicants of acceptance or rejection (which is not subject to appeal).

Article 7
The Board of the Society must inform applicants of the decision within 30 days of receiving it. This decision is final and cannot be appealed.

V – JURY
Article 9
The jury is composed of the Board of the VAS.

Article 10
Decisions will be made by a majority vote. The President of the Board holds the casting vote in case of a tie.
Criteria for decision (favorable factors)
a) Age < 40
b) At least 1 publication related to vascular access

Article 11
Board decisions are only valid if a majority of members are present.

Article 12
a) A meeting minute will be drawn up and signed by all attendees. It will be recorded in the official Minutes of a VAS Meeting.
b) Applicants may request access to the VAS meeting minutes by submitting a formal request to the Board.

VI – GRANT DISBURSEMENT
Article 13
After being notified of the grant award, the candidate must submit the required receipt form to VAS. The grant amount will then be transferred to the recipient.
The fellowship grant amount is intended to cover travel costs (including one round-trip from home country to the host country) and partial accommodation costs for training abroad.
IMPORTANT: You are responsible for any other taxes and insurance. VAS will not be liable for these expenses.

VII – PROOF OF GRANT USE
Article 14
The recipient must submit proof of participation in the training within 30 days of its completion, by providing a signed statement from the head of the department/service where the internship was carried out. The recipient must also submit a report of participation describing the main aspects of the training internship.

Article 15
Failure to submit the required proof will result in the applicant being ineligible for future funding from the VAS.