ATS Fellows

ATS Fellowship Requirements

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ATS Fellow (ATSF) Designation Overview and Requirements

The ATS Fellow (ATSF) designation is a prestigious recognition awarded by the American Thoracic Society (ATS) to members who have demonstrated excellence, dedication, and significant contributions to pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine. This distinction underscores leadership and commitment to advancing respiratory health worldwide.

The updated ATSF designation provides a transparent and structured qualification path, making it accessible to both domestic and international candidates. For international members, this honor serves as a mark of distinction, highlighting their contributions to global healthcare and reinforcing their leadership within the international medical community.

Additionally, the ATSF designation plays a crucial role in strengthening future collaborations with international societies. ATS Fellows are recognized leaders in their respective countries and regions, which enhances ATS’s partnerships, fosters research opportunities, and expands its influence in global health initiatives. This recognition not only benefits individual members but also strengthens ATS’s presence in pulmonary, critical care, and sleep medicine worldwide.

Roadmap to Earning the ATSF Designation

  1. Active Membership
    • Maintain an active ATS membership.
    • Must have been an ATS member for at least five consecutive years, following completion of training, including fellowship and post-doc.
  2. Demonstrate Professional Contributions: Candidates must provide evidence of meaningful contributions in at least one of the following areas:
    • Clinical Practice: Exceptional patient care, leadership in clinical programs, or implementation of quality improvement initiatives.
    • Research: Contributions to scientific advancements, impactful publications, or clinical trials.
    • Education: Teaching, mentoring, or developing educational programs in pulmonary, critical care, or sleep medicine.
    • Advocacy: Advancing public health policies, raising awareness, or improving access to respiratory care.
    • Leadership: Holding key leadership roles in institutions, professional societies, or collaborative ATS initiatives on a national or international level.
  3. Involvement with ATS
    • Active participation in an ATS Assembly, Committee or Journal. This includes being a member of an Assembly's Program or Planning Committee or an Assembly's mid-career professional working group, or being a reviewer or editor of an ATS journal.
  4. Engagement with ATS Events (Optional Plus)
    • Participation in ATS-affiliated regional events, virtual conferences, or the ATS International Conference (highly regarded but not required).
  5. Professional Standing
    • Hold an unrestricted professional license, if applicable.
    • Maintain a strong reputation within the professional community.

Application Process & Timeline

  1. Submission:
    • Applications open on May 1.
    • The deadline for submission is August 31.
  2. Required Documents:
    • Curriculum Vitae (CV).
    • Personal Statement: A brief summary of the applicant’s contributions and engagement with ATS.
  3. Application Fee:
    • $75 for all applicants (non-refundable).
  4. Review & Selection:
    • Applications undergo a review process by ATS leadership.
    • Successful applicants are announced on January 31 each year.

Maintaining the ATSF Designation

To retain the ATSF designation, members must:

  1. Maintain an active ATS membership by renewing annually—this is mandatory.
  2. Continue contributing to the field through clinical practice, research, education, advocacy, or leadership.
  3. Uphold ethical and professional standards in their work.

Failure to maintain an active membership will result in the loss of the ATSF designation.

Benefits of the ATSF Designation

  1. Recognition:
    • Official acknowledgment on the ATS website and in member publications.
    • Formal recognition at the ATS International Conference.
    • A certificate and ATSF pin symbolizing the achievement.
  2. Professional Advancement:
    • Enhanced credibility and professional visibility.
    • The right to use the ATSF designation in professional settings.
    • Potential career advancement and institutional recognition.
  3. Exclusive Opportunities:
    • Priority consideration for leadership roles, committee service, and other ATS initiatives.
    • Networking with ATS Fellows and field leaders.
  4. Global Engagement
    • Participation in ATS’s international initiatives and global collaborations.
    • Recognition for contributions to global health initiatives.


ATSF Application