ISSLS Clinical Travelling Fellowship 2026 – Applications Open
The ISSLS Clinical Travelling Fellowship is accepting applications! Offering US$5,000 to support travel and accommodation, this fellowship is open to junior faculty worldwide (under 10 years in practice) who wish to gain valuable clinical experience and expand their professional network.
Winners are selected by the ISSLS Fellowship Committee based on merit, scholarly activity, and clinical experience, and are announced at the Fellowship Ceremony during the ISSLS Annual Meeting.
Nominations Now Open: ISSLS Wiltse Lifetime Achievement Award
The ISSLS Wiltse Lifetime Achievement Award recognises individuals who have made outstanding, long-lasting contributions to spinal research, education, and clinical care.
🏆 The Society’s highest honour
🌍 Open to ISSLS members and non-members
🔗 Full details: ISSLS Wiltse
📅 Application deadline: December 15, 2025
Help us honour the pioneers shaping the future of spinal science!
Apply Now: 2026 Young Investigator Travel Grant
The ISSLS Young Investigator Travel Grant (US $1,000) is open for applications! This grant supports young researchers and clinicians with registration, travel, and accommodation costs to attend the ISSLS Annual Meeting.
In 2026, 10 grants will be awarded to young investigators presenting at the ISSLS Annual Meeting in Cape Town, South Africa.
🗓️ Application deadline: Friday, February 13, 2026
ISSLS 2026 Annual Meeting – Cape Town, South Africa
The ISSLS Annual Meeting will take place in Cape Town, South Africa, from 11–15 May 2026. Known as one of the world’s most beautiful cities, Cape Town offers a stunning mix of nature, history, culture, and adventure.
Highlights include:
Iconic Table Mountain and historic Robben Island
A vibrant culinary scene and nearby winelands
Exciting activities from paragliding to safari drives
The Westin Hotel will host the event, with special outings including a traditional South African Braai in the winelands and dinner at the Two Oceans Aquarium.
👉 Registration is now open at issls2026.org. Early booking is strongly recommended.
We look forward to welcoming you to Cape Town!
Applications are now Closed for the 2026 ISSLS Prize Program, Sponsored by the European Spine Journal, Springer
Good luck to those who have applied.
Notification Date: Applicants will be notified if they were successful or not in January 2026.
ISSLS Membership Applications are now closed for 2025
Good luck to those who have applied.
Notification Date: Applicants will now be notified of the Membership Committee’s decision by October 29.
In Memoriam: Dr. Margareta Nordin (1945–2025)
A Leader in Spine Research, Rehabilitation and a Global Health Advocate
It is with deep sorrow that we announce the passing of Dr. Margareta Nordin, an internationally acclaimed clinician-scientist, educator and advocate for evidence-based musculoskeletal care. She passed away on 28 May 2025 at the age of 79, leaving behind a remarkable legacy that spanned continents, disciplines and generations.
Read the full obituary by Dino Samartzis and Björn Rydevik here
To honour Margareta Nordin’s dedication to advancing equitable spine care in India, World Spine Care is continuing the 'Margareta Memorial Ride' to raise funds for a project she helped shape—please consider contributing here.
2025 ISSLS Research Grant Award Winners
Congratulations to David Klyne and Chantal Voskamp-Visser who have won, respectively, the Clinical Science Research Grant (sponsored by Medtronic) and the Basic Science Research Grant. The awards were announced at the ISSLS Fellowship Awards Ceremony, during the conference in Atlanta, USA, May 12-16, 2025.
Learn more about the Basic Science Research Grant here.
Learn more about the Clinical Science Research Grant here.
2025 ISSLS Clinical Travelling Fellowship
Congratulations to Patawut Bovonratwet, MD, winner of the 2025 ISSLS Clinical Travelling Fellowship (sponsored by Nipon Zoki.)
Dr Bovonratwet will visit Dr Junseok Bae and Dr Sang-Ho Lee at Wooridul Spine Hospital (Seoul Korea) to undertake his Fellowship.
Learn more about the Clinical Travelling Fellowship here.
Professors Jiří Dvořák and S. Rajasekaran Honoured with 2025 Wiltse Lifetime Achievement Award
We are delighted to announce that Professor Jiří Dvořák, MD, and Professor S. Rajasekaran, Ph.D., have been named recipients of the esteemed 2025 ISSLS Wiltse Lifetime Achievement Award.
This prestigious honour was presented during the ISSLS Fellowship Awards Ceremony, held as part of the annual conference in Atlanta, Georgia, from May 12–16, 2025.
Learn more about their remarkable contributions to spine research and clinical practice by reading their biographies in the SPINE Journal:
See there presentations in Atlanta here!
2025/26 ISSLS Slate Announcement
We are pleased to confirm the 2025/26 Slate as follows:
Second Vice President: Hans-Joachim Wilke
Secretary Elect: Dino Samartzis
Membership Committee: J Naresh Babu
Fellowship Committee: Raphaël Vialle
Lifetime Achievement Award Committee: Yoshiharu Kawaguchi & David Wong
Scientific Representative: Donna Ohnmeiss
Regional Representative, Canada: Christy Tomkins-Lane
Regional Representative, Europe: Fabio Galbusera
Regional Representative, Japan: Sumihisa Orita
Regional Representative, Central U.S, Ahmad Nassr
Regional Representative, Africa, Ian Vlok
Program Committee: Marc-Antoine Rousseau
Congratulations!
We thank those who are vacating their positions for their wonderful contributions to ISSLS and look forward to welcoming the new Slate.
🎉 Exciting News🎉
Announcing the 2025 ISSLS Prize Winners
We’re thrilled to celebrate the winners of the prestigious 2025 ISSLS Prize! Under the leadership of Professor Helena Brisby (Chair), the ISSLS Prize Committee was truly impressed by the exceptional quality and innovation showcased in this year’s submissions.
The winning papers, alongside other outstanding contributions, will soon be featured in the European Spine Journal—a must-read for the latest advancements in spine research.
✨ Want to see the winning work in action? The prize winners will be presenting their research at this year’s ISSLS Annual Meeting in Atlanta. Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to hear from the best in the field!
Find the full details of this year’s winners and their innovative work here.
ISSLS Social Media
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