SCOPINARO SCHOLAR AWARD

Professor Nicola Scopinaro was the founder of IFSO, a Pioneer of Metabolic Bariatric Surgery and a lifelong supporter of young talents.

The IFSO Scopinaro Foundation is proud to announce the first edition of the IFSO Scopinaro Scholar Award designed to honor his name and continue his legacy by ensuring that new generations of young IFSO members remember the profound impact he had on shaping our field.

The IFSO Scopinaro Scholar Award honors exceptional early-career professionals in MBS and Integrated Health by recognizing their academic talent, supporting their high-quality researches, offering them an opportunity to publish in Obesity Surgery Journal, and offering them the unique opportunity to attend the IFSO World Congress in Toronto 2026 and thus be able to expand their professional development within the global IFSO community.

REGULATIONS TO APPLY

Minimal requirements for the applicants

• Applicants must be IFSO Members (surgeons or IH) in good standing, graduates of schools of medicine and/or other associated disciplines.
• Applicants must not be over 40 years at the time of the application
• Applicants must be practicing in or planning to practice in MBS or other bariatric surgery related specialties practice (including IH, fellowships)
• Applicants may only be awarded this prize once.
• Applicants should not have published more than one paper as first author before.

Documents to be provided

(Applications can be submitted by sending the following documents attached in a single PDF)

1. A summary of the Study research (2-3 pages) in MBS in any of the following categories:
• Randomized Controlled Trial
• Prospective cohort study / Registry based study
• Systematic review / Meta-analysis
• Retrospective cohort (multi center-single center)
• Narrative Review
• Case series
• Case report
• Miscellaneous

If selected, the full manuscript of the study research will have to be submitted to Obesity Surgery Journal to be considered for publication, max 4 weeks after.

2. CV
3. Personal statement explaining the motivation for applying and deserving the IFSO Scopinaro Scholar Award
4. List of publications (max one as first author)

THE AWARD

The award will consist of:

• publication of the study research in Obesity Surgery Journal within "The IFSO Collection", (subject to acceptance through the standard peer-review process^*)
• free registration at IFSO World Congress Toronto 2026
• free registration in one of the pre-Congress Courses at IFSO Toronto 2026 (of your choice)
• partial support for travel and accommodation

^*Publication cannot be guaranteed as it will follow the standard peer review process.

DEADLINE: February 28th, 2026

Applications can be submitted by sending an email to staff@ifso.com with the following documents attached in a single PDF: A summary of the study research (2-3 pages), CV, personal statement, list of publications (max one as first author).