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Fondazione Rizzola Academy
Via Gorizia 1
30027 San Donà di Piave (VE)

CALL FOR 30 GRANTS
ESJ Meet the Experts 2025 Course
Date: May 9 – 10, 2025
Location: Venice, Italy

Rizzola Academy Foundation is pleased to present the following grant for Orthopaedic Surgeons, Neurosurgeon and Residents in Orthopedic surgery or Neurosurgery.

Applicants can find below comprehensive information and tools to apply.

We are thrilled to announce the availability of 30 grants, each covering free registration to the ESJ Meet the Experts 2025 Course, including full access to scientific sessions, industry workshops, and program activities, lunches, coffee breaks and dinner as outlined in the program and any educational material provided during the event.

Please note that travel, accommodation, and personal expenses are not included and must be borne by the participants.

Deadlines

  • Call opens: January 23, 2025
  • Call closes: March 16, 2025
  • Notification of Grant Recipients: by March 31, 2025
  • Publication of Grant Recipients: March 31, 2025
1. CALL FOR GRANTS
  1. Purpose of the Call

The Rizzola Academy Foundation aims to award 30 grants to support participation in the ESJ Meet the Experts 2025 Course, a scientific event dedicated to Complex Spine Surgery.
The objective is to foster professional development and advanced training for orthopedic surgeons, neurosurgeons, and residents in these specialties, providing access to high-level scientific content.

 

  1. Eligibility

Applications are open to:

  • Orthopedic surgeons.
  • Neurosurgeons
  • Residents in Orthopedic surgery or Neurosurgery enrolled in a Recognized training program.

 

  1. Grant Inclusions

Each grant covers:

  • Free registration to the ESJ Meet the Experts 2025 Course.
  • Full access to scientific sessions, industry workshops, and program activities.
  • Lunches, coffee breaks and dinner as outlined in the program.
  • Any educational material provided during the event.

Please note that travel, accommodation, and personal expenses are not included and must be borne by the participants.

 

  1. Selection Criteria

Applications will be assessed based on the following criteria:

  1. Professional Experience: Relevance of clinical or research activities to the course topics.
  2. Academic Background: Relevant experience, training courses, or publications in spine surgery.
  3. Motivation: A letter explaining the importance of participating in the course for professional growth.

 

  1. Application Process

Applicants must submit the following documents:

  1. Application form (available here).
  2. Updated Curriculum Vitae.
  3. Motivation letter (maximum 500 words).
  4. Certification of enrollment in a residency program (for Resident applicants).

All documents must be sent via email to: direzionescientifica@rizzolaacademy.it and segreteria@rizzolaacademy.it, with the subject line: Grant Application ESJMTE 2025.

 

  1. Deadlines
  • Call opens: January 23, 2025.
  • Call closes: March 16, 2025.
  • Notification of Grant Recipients: by March 31, 2025.
  • Publication of Grant Recipients: March 31, 2025

 

  1. Selection and Notification

Applications will be evaluated by a Scientific Committee appointed by the Rizzola Academy Foundation. In case of refusal of the grant, the Foundation reserves the right to move down the final ranking list.

Selected grant recipients will be notified via email, and their names will be published on the official course website.

 

  1. Contact Information

For further information, please contact:
Rizzola Academy Foundation
Via Gorizia 1, 30027 San Donà di Piave (VE), Italy
Phone: +39 0421 33 84 28
Email:
direzionescientifica@rizzolaacademy.it , segreteria@rizzolaacademy.it,
Website:
www.rizzolaacademy.it

 

  1. Final Provisions

Participation in the call implies full acceptance of the regulations. The Scientific Committee reserves the right to withhold one or more grants if no suitable applications are received.

2. EVALUATION GUIDELINES AND CRITERIA

The purpose of these guidelines is to ensure a fair, transparent, and consistent process for evaluating grant applications. The selection process will be based on the following criteria:

  1. Evaluation Process
    1. Application Review:
      Each committee member will independently review and score the applications based on the criteria outlined below.
    2. Scoring Rubric:
      Scores will be assigned for each criterion using a standardized scale (e.g., 1 to 5, where 1 = Poor and 5 = Excellent).
    3. Final Selection:
      After individual evaluations, the committee will convene to discuss and finalize the grant recipients. In case of tied scores, priority will be given based on additional discussions or specific committee decisions.

  2. Evaluation Criteria
    Each application will be evaluated on the following criteria:
    A. Professional Experience (35%)
    • Relevance of the candidate’s clinical or research activities to the topics of complex spine surgery.
    • Demonstrated expertise or potential in the field.
    • Years of experience in orthopedic surgery, neurosurgery, or related specialties.
    Scoring Guide:
    • 5: Significant and directly relevant experience in complex spine surgery.
    • 4: Strong experience with some relevant involvement in spine surgery.
    • 3: Moderate experience in relevant areas.
    • 2: Limited experience with minimal relevance to spine surgery.
    • 1: Insufficient or no relevant experience.
    B. Academic Background (30%)
    • Training and education credentials (e.g., residency, fellowships, or certifications).
    • Relevant publications, presentations, or contributions to the field.
    • Participation in previous training or courses related to spine surgery.
    Scoring Guide:
    • 5: Outstanding academic achievements with multiple publications or significant contributions.
    • 4: Strong academic credentials with relevant coursework or publications.
    • 3: Adequate academic background with some relevant work.
    • 2: Limited academic credentials or incomplete qualifications.
    • 1: No evidence of academic background related to the field.
    C. Motivation and Alignment with Course Objectives (25%)
    • Clarity and persuasiveness of the motivation letter.
    • Alignment of the candidate’s goals with the objectives of the ESJ Meet the Experts 2025 Course.
    • Demonstrated commitment to professional development in Spine Surgery.
    Scoring Guide:
    • 5: Highly compelling motivation with clear alignment to course goals.
    • 4: Strong motivation with good alignment to course objectives.
    • 3: Adequate motivation with some relevance to course objectives.
    • 2: Weak motivation or limited alignment with course objectives.
    • 1: Unclear or no motivation provided.
    D. Special Considerations (10%)
    • Diversity of candidates (geographical location, professional background).
    • Potential for the grant to significantly impact the candidate’s professional development.
    • First-time applicants to similar training programs.
    Scoring Guide:
    • 5: Candidate brings exceptional diversity or has high potential for impact.
    • 4: Candidate demonstrates good potential for impact.
    • 3: Moderate potential for impact or diversity.
    • 2: Limited impact potential.
    • 1: No significant contribution to diversity or impact.


  3. Additional Guidelines
    • Confidentiality: All application materials and committee discussions are confidential.
    • Conflict of Interest: Committee members must disclose any conflicts of interest.
    • Final Decision: The committee’s decision is final and must align with the Rizzola Academy Foundation’s objectives and values.


  4. Scoring Summary
Criterion Weight (%) Score (1-5) Weighted Score

Professional Experience

35%    
Academic Background 30%    
Motivation and Alignment 25%  
Special Considerations 10%  
Total 100%  
3. MEMBERS OF THE COMMITTEE

CLAUDIO LAMARTINA, Spine Surgeon – Chairman ESJ Meet the Expert 2025 Course

ANTONIO ALIZZI Scientific Director Rizzola Academy Foundation

RICCARDO CECCHINATO – Secretariat ESJ Meet the Expert 2025 Course

ANDREA REDAELLI – Secretariat ESJ Meet the Expert 2025 Course

4. APPLICATION FORM

APPLICATION FORM Grant Application – ESJ Meet the Experts 2025 Course