ICRS Fellowships and the importance of fostering scientific community

The International Cartilage Regeneration and Joint Preservation Society (ICRS) is a global collaboration of members invested in joint preservation and cartilage research.The society comprises clinicians, scientists, researchers, and industry working toward a common goal of reducing the burden of disability from degenerative joint disease for patients around the world. 1 The society has long-championed support for younger ranks.Indeed, its legacy of travelling fellowships aimed at "the next generation" provides a notable roll-call of previous fellows who are distinguished leaders in research and surgery in today's cartilage and joint preservation fields.Travelling fellowships are thus undeniably potent in inspiring future generations within these disciplines, by providing an educational opportunity for structured visits to specialized centers or surgeons over a short period, usually weeks.They are delivered by an organization or society such as the ICRS, with or without the partnership of sponsors or foundations.Beneficiaries are typically young surgeons or researchers crossing the threshold into senior, independent practice seeking to gain further experience.The opportunities afforded to travelling fellows are numerous: Observation of specialized, tertiary surgery at national or international sites of interest outwith normal practice or opportunity. 2 Surgical development through first-hand, high-volume cases from experts in centers of excellence. Absorbing, consolidating, and exporting back home novel techniques and knowledge.Examples include adopting specific tech- niques for a given procedure, introducing colleagues to observed treatments, or even influencing national networks and guidelines. 3 Colloquial, personalized experiences with hosts nurture a learning environment and establish lasting collaborative clinical and research links. 4 Create lasting friendships and contacts with fellows. First-hand experience with different health care systems and models. The shorter-time frame of a travelling fellowship is advantageous to individual work or personal demands at home compared with longer fellowships. Travelling fellowships may cover a significant proportion of expenditure such as flights and accommodation, thus gifting an experience unburdened with fear of financial costs, while also increasing the pool and diversity of applicants. The presence of an accompanying "godparent" facilitates the interaction of fellows with the expert hosts while emphasizing the overarching society perspective and offering personal guidance throughout.