International Career Development Exchange

Eligibility Criteria

Individuals must meet the following criteria to participate in the ICDE program:

• Delegates from Global Partner Societies must be a member of their sponsoring organization.
• SSO-sponsored participants must be an SSO Active International member in good standing (2025 dues must be paid) to apply.
• Cannot have previously received an ICDE grant.
• Cannot have previously participated in the Career Catalyst Mentorship Program.
• Cannot have attended more than one SSO Annual Meeting in the past three (3) years (SSO 2025, SSO 2024, SSO 2023).
• Must be 45 years old or younger at the time of application.
• Must be currently employed in their home country/region.
• Must have a strong command of the English language (both writing and speaking). A Zoom call may be scheduled to confirm fluency.
• Must have a current passport.
• Must be able to travel to the United States and obtain a travel visa to the United States if coming from a country where one is required.

The SSO reserves the right to evaluate and determine eligibility based on the information and justifications included in the requested materials.

Participant Commitments

ICDE participants must commit to the following stipulations in order to participate in the program:

• Complete an online information and agreement form distributed by SSO.
• Complete an SSO membership application (membership will be complimentary, however, a completed application is still required).
• Meet any requirements obligated by the institution where they will complete their observership.
• Submit a summary report about the experience and complete a survey immediately following the program, along with any follow-ups requested by SSO.
• Submit any photos or videos taken during the SSO Annual Meeting or institutional visit for use on SSO’s social media, website, marketing materials, or for any other use in support of the program.
• Participants may be asked to record audio or video interviews regarding the experience.

Award Details

Each Participant will receive the following:

• A stipend of $3,000 USD to assist with travel arrangements, which will be provided at SSO 2025 via electronic means. No checks or cash will be issued.
• Complimentary registration to SSO 2026.
• One year of complimentary membership in the Society.
• A 5-day observership at a U.S. based institution with an SSO Member Mentor.
  • SSO will match the participant with a host based on shared professional and scientific interests from one of SSO’s eight disease site areas.

Mentor Obligations

SSO Member Mentors are an integral part of this program, serving as long-term professional contacts for participants. Mentors will be asked to:

• Assist their mentee with any institutional requirements and answer any questions they may have about housing, travel, transportation, or anything else related to the city, institution, or observership.
• Meet their mentee at SSO 2026.
• Host their mentee for a 5-day observership at their institution
• Serve as a long-term professional contact for their mentee.

Selection Process and Key Dates