HKASLD / AASLD Limited Outbound Faculty Exchange Opportunity

Program Overview  

The HKASLD/AASLD Limited Outbound Faculty Exchange Opportunity provides one (1) early-career clinician with the opportunity to serve as invited faculty at the Hong Kong Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (HKASLD) 39th Annual Scientific Meeting on December 6th, 2026, in Wan Chai, Hong Kong.  

The selected member will receive complimentary registration, travel support, and a $1,000 honorarium provided by HKASLD, to participate in the meeting.  

During the meeting, the selected faculty member will:

• Present original research 
• Serve as a session moderator 
• Participate in faculty networking and social activities 
• Engage with international colleagues to promote scientific collaboration and knowledge exchange 

Program Benefits  

The selected faculty member will receive:

• Complimentary registration for the HKASLD 39th Annual Scientific Meeting
• $1,000 honorarium
• Round-trip economy class airfare to Hong Kong up to 100,000 HKD
• Three nights of hotel accommodations

All travel support logistics will be managed by HKASLD. The participant is responsible for adhering to HKASLD payment policies and procedures and should direct all questions related to monetary benefits for this opportunity to the appropriate contact in the HKASLD administrative office.

Eligibility  

Applicants must: 

• Be a current AASLD member in good standing residing in the United States, Canada, or Mexico at the time of application and maintain their membership through the meeting.    
• Be a Junior Faculty member (First Year Instructor - Assistant Professor or equivalent) and be within 5 years of their first faculty appointment at a North American medical or research institution.     
• Be able to travel to Wan Chai, Hong Kong, and attend the HKASLD 39^th Annual Scientific Meeting on December 6^th, 2026.   
• Be committed to and demonstrate success as an early-career academic hepatologist.  
• Demonstrate the ability to serve as a peer mentor and facilitate the two-way transfer of scientific collaboration and knowledge exchange. 

Selection Criteria 

Applications will be evaluated based on:

• Academic and research accomplishments 
• Commitment to hepatology 
• Leadership potential 
• Quality of submitted abstract 
• Letters of support

Ability to serve as a peer mentor and contribute to two-way scientific collaboration and knowledge exchange

Applications are reviewed solely on submitted materials. Incomplete applications or those that do not follow the submission instructions, formatting requirements, or page limits will not be considered. All decisions are final.

Required Documents 

Curriculum Vitae 

Must include publications, abstracts, presentations, and extracurricular activities. 

Personal Statement (Maximum two pages) 

Must address the following: 

• How participation will benefit your academic or research career 
• Your motivation for participating 
• Your previous accomplishments 
• Your short- and long-term career goals 
• Your qualifications as a peer mentor 
• The expertise you would share with your HKASLD colleagues 

Two Letters of Recommendation (Maximum one page each)  

One letter must come from a current or recent mentor and should address: 

• Support for your candidacy 
• Commitment to your success 
• Academic potential 
• Motivation and initiative 
• Research contributions, if applicable

The second letter should come from a peer who can speak to your qualifications, strengths, and leadership potential. 

Abstract (150-250 words maximum)

Please include: 

• Background 
• Methods 
• Results 
• Conclusion 

Previously presented or published abstracts are acceptable. 

How to Apply 

1. Review the Required Documents section below.  
2. Assemble all application materials into a single, flattened, PDF in the order listed.   
3. Name your file: 2026 HKASLD Exchange_Last name, First name (Example: 2026 HKASLD Exchange_Smith, Jane) 
4. Submit your application through the online portal 
5. You will receive an email confirmation after submission. If you do not receive confirmation within two business days, contact awards@aasld.org.

Applications close: Monday, August 10, 2026, 11:59 p.m. EDT 

Formatting Requirements 

• Typed responses only 
• Minimum 10-point font 
• Half-inch margins 
• Adhere to all page limits 
• Submit one flattened, unlocked PDF 
• Portfolios will not be accepted 

Need help flattening your PDF? Use Print to PDF (Windows) or Save As > Flatten PDF (Mac). If you need additional assistance, contact awards@aasld.org. 

Additional Information 

• The official language of the meeting is English. Proficiency in Chinese, Cantonese, or Mandarin is not required.   
• Applicants may apply for the AASLD/HKASLD Faculty Exchange, AASLD/EASL Masterclass program, or the AGA/AASLD Academic Skills Workshop in the same calendar year. However, participants may only accept and participate in one of these programs per calendar year. Previous Masterclass or Academic Skills Workshop participants are eligible to apply.  

Questions 

Any questions should be sent to awards@aasld.org.