DDW Diversity Travel Award

The Digestive Disease Week (DDW) Diversity Award is founded on one of the priorities of the ASGE Diversity Equity and Inclusion Action Plan to promote diversity in the gastroenterology healthcare workforce pipeline. One of the vehicles to achieve this goal is by reaching US medical and osteopathic students underrepresented in medicine (per AAMC definition) through this pathways initiative. Supported by the ASGE Diversity and Inclusion Committee’s Pathways Subcommittee, two medical students will have an opportunity to attend the annual DDW conference and experience the conference along with gastroenterologists from around the world.

Award

Two $2000 travel awards will be granted. Stipend intended to cover travel, lodging and meal expenses. Conference registration will be arranged. Students will be required to attend the majority of the conference to fully benefit from this unique experience.

Selection Criteria

Students from an underrepresented racial or ethnic group must be enrolled in an accredited medical school and in good standing. Applicants will complete an application, submit a good standing letter from their institution, a curriculum vitae and short essay.

Submission

Completed ASGE Digestive Diseases Week (DDW) Diversity Travel Award Application
Letter from Dean of your institution verifying good academic standing (PDF or DOC file)
Curriculum Vitae
500-word limit essay (PDF or DOC file) on how would attending an international gastroenterology conference help you achieve your career goals?
Submit the application and supporting documents to dei@asge.org.
Contact Michelle Akers at 630-570-5613 or dei@asge.org if you have questions

Important Dates

Application Deadline: 5:00 PM CST, Friday, February 14, 2025.
Award Announcements: March 1, 2025.
DDW Conference Dates: May 3-6, 2025.

More about DDW Complete & Download Application

Testimonials

“Receiving the Digestive Disease Week (DDW) Diversity Travel Award was an invaluable opportunity that enhanced my professional growth. Attending DDW allowed me to network with leading professionals and mentors within the field of gastroenterology, providing insights into diverse career paths and research opportunities. Engaging in discussions with researchers and physicians further solidified my passion for pursuing a career as a gastroenterologist.”

Kaylah Walton
MD/MS in Genomic Medicine Student, 2025
University of Miami Miller School of Medicine

"Attending the conference allowed me to learn from experts in the field of GI as well as form connections and foster community with new mentors and colleagues. The members of ASGE were especially welcoming, and it is clear they are dedicated to building the future of the field. I highly encourage anyone interested in GI to apply for this award!"

Alexander Conway, MD
Washington University in St. Louis School of Medicine ‘23

Supported by the American Society for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy and the Diversity and Inclusion Pathways Subcommittee.