Left to right: Aneela Darbar, Mariyum Sheik
The Foundation for International Education in Neurological Surgery (FIENS) Mukhtar A. Sheikh Fellowship offers an international traveling fellowship for neurosurgeons who are both citizens of Pakistan and working in Pakistan. They may either be training in a residency program or have completed residency training within the past five years. Upon the completion of this fellowship they must be returning to practice in their home country of Pakistan.
If no eligible applicants exist per funding year, young neurosurgeons for other low-middle-income-countries may be considered.
The fellowship will cover the traveling and living expenses for a three-six-month period to be spent observing the activities of a neurosurgical service that has an established relationship with FIENS. The fellowship will be awarded yearly on the basis of a competitive evaluation by a committee composed of FIENS members. The maximum fellowship stipend is $7,000.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis with a review period occurring in May of each year. Applicants will receive notification of their application results within 4-6 weeks of the cycle closing date.
Visa, Immigration, Travel, and Host Institution Responsibility Disclaimer
FIENS provides fellowship and scholarship award recipients with an official award letter confirming their selection, the approved host institution, the purpose of the award, and the applicable program dates. This award letter is provided solely for informational purposes and, where applicable, may be used by the recipient as supporting documentation for personal visa or travel applications.
FIENS does not provide visa sponsorship, immigration sponsorship, legal advice, immigration guidance, or assistance with obtaining visas, work permits, travel authorizations, or entry into any country. FIENS is not authorized to advise recipients on immigration requirements and cannot communicate with embassies, consulates, immigration authorities, or government agencies on a recipient’s behalf.
Each fellowship or scholarship recipient is solely responsible for:
- Identifying, securing, and maintaining an approved host institution or training site for the duration of the award.
- Determining and satisfying all visa, immigration, entry, exit, and travel requirements.
- Completing and submitting all required applications and supporting documentation.
- Obtaining all necessary visas, permits, travel authorizations, and approvals.
- Ensuring compliance with all applicable laws, regulations, and immigration requirements of the destination and any transit countries.
- Maintaining valid travel documents and securing any required travel, medical, or health insurance.
- Promptly notifying FIENS in writing of any proposed changes to the approved host institution, training site, or program location.
If a recipient is unable to complete the fellowship or scholarship at the originally approved host institution or training site for any reason, the recipient is solely responsible for identifying and securing an alternative host institution. Any proposed change in host institution, training site, location, or program dates must receive prior written approval from FIENS. The recipient must submit supporting documentation, including a new invitation or acceptance letter from the proposed host institution, for review by FIENS and, where applicable, the FIENS Fellowship/Scholarship Review Committee. FIENS reserves the sole and absolute discretion to approve or deny any requested change. Recipients may not transfer their award to another institution or location without prior written approval from FIENS.