ASCFS Accreditation: New Fellowship Programs

1. New program applications should be submitted by December 31st of the year before the program wishes to participate in the match process.

2. Accreditation Timeline

a. If approved, the program will be designated “Preliminary Accreditation" for 2 years beginning with the first academic year that qualifies for a fellow. This would allow the program to continue with the match participation while awaiting the preliminary review status. 

b. After the initial preliminary year (one year with a fellow), the program will be reviewed (in the Fall of the following year) and be given one of three designations:

Full accreditation 

Preliminary Accreditation (continued) 

Non-accredited

• Initial application to match participation = 4-5 months
• Initial application to full accreditation = 3-4 years

c. An example of the sequence based on a 2024 application: 

1. Fall 2024 – New Program Application submitted (due December 31st)

2. Summer 2025 – If approved as “Preliminary Accreditation YR 0” – “PA0”, the program may participate in the 2025 Match (for a fellow for the 2026-2027 term)

3. Summer 2026 thru Summer 2027 – First fellow = PA1 program (year 1) 

4. Summer 2026 – Participate in the 2026 Match (for a fellow for the 2027-2028 term)

5. Fall 2027 –  Review of the program for Full Accreditation (data for a full year with a fellow).

6. Summer 2028 – If approved after review, the Preliminary status will be converted to Full Accreditation prior to the 2028 Match. 

d. If a program does not match a fellow, the preliminary designation may be continued for 2 more match cycles before the program is required to submit a new application.

3. Dues:

An application fee of $750 will be required. The Program is responsible for the cost of a site visit as part of the initial application process. This fee recur on an annual basis.