Message from the 2023 endMS Summer School Hosts:
We are pleased to welcome you to the 2023 endMS Summer School, Translating Basic MS Research into Clinical Practice, to be held at Laval University, in beautiful, historic Quebec City from June 19th to June 22nd.
The focus of this year’s school will be on the fundamental mechanisms of autoimmune demyelination and current perspectives in translating research findings to the clinic. Topics will include T and B cells, autoantibodies, neurodegeneration, myeloid cells and microglia. Furthermore, attention will be paid to cutting-edge techniques, including: single-cell RNA sequencing and mass cytometry (which aid scientists in obtaining unparalleled images of gene and protein expression), as well as the new technology of lipid nanoparticles (which allows for the delivery of RNA molecules into both animals and humans, for scientific and therapeutic purposes).
We are planning an exciting program that will include a variety of speakers, plenary sessions, and small group workshops. Time will be devoted to career development sessions, for SPRINT teams to present on their year-long interdisciplinary learning projects and for participants to interact with people living with MS and to network with peers in MS research from across Canada.
We look forward to seeing you at the 2023 endMS Summer School — an event that promises to be rewarding and memorable.
Dr. Manu Rangachari and Dr. Luc Vallières
2023 endMS Summer School Co-Hosts
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2023 endMS Summer School Teaser and SPRINT Info Session
Here is the link to the recorded session from January 27, 2023
What: A snapshot of what we can expect from the 2023 Summer School will be provided by the Summer School hosts! In addition the National Training Program will provide an overview of SPRINT as well as guidance on the application process for Summer School and for SPRINT be available to answer any questions.
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Here is a link to the endMS Summer School video from the 2018 endMS Summer School
For information on former endMS Summer Schools go to the "Summer
School Highlights" section below.
Eligibility
The endMS Summer School is open to applicants generally studying at Canadian universities who are enrolled in a graduate program or are postdoctoral/clinical fellows. This includes international students and international postdoctoral fellows studying at Canadian universities.
The endMS Summer School has accepted trainees who are studying
outside of Canada, but who are also recipients of MS Society of
Canada Studentships or Fellowships. Students currently
registered in an undergraduate program (e.g. MD) who have
already completed graduate training are also eligible.
Please refer to the program guidelines for complete eligibility
criteria.
Application and Program Guidelines ***Competition is NOW CLOSED***
Application and Program Guidelines
2023 endMS Summer School Teaser and SPRINT Info Session
Here is the link to the recorded session from January 27, 2023
What: A snapshot of what we can expect from the 2023 Summer School will be provided by the Summer School hosts! In addition the National Training Program will provide an overview of SPRINT as well as guidance on the application process for Summer School and for SPRINT be available to answer any questions.
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WEBINAR: The endMS National Training Program hosted an endMS SPRINT and Summer School information webinar in 2021 to provide an overview of the program and the application process. Click here to view a copy of the presentation slides.
Here is the link to the 2022 endMS Summer School Teaser and Info Session - recorded session from January 13, 2022
Important Dates
- Competition Opens: December 15, 2022
- Application Deadline: February 16, 2023 by 4:00 pm ET
- Anticipated Notice of Decision: Mid April, 2023
Summer School Highlights
For more information on each Summer School, click on the corresponding year below:
Year | Location | Theme | Involvement |
2009 | Université de Montréal | Neuroimmunology and Neuropathology of MS | 32 participants |
2010 | Dalhousie University | Clinical and Behavioural Aspects of MS | 40 participants |
2011 | University of Calgary | Neuroprotection and Repair | 44 participants |
2012 | University of Manitoba | Gaining Insights from Special Populations and Other Complex Diseases | 43 participants |
2013 | University of British Columbia | Multiple Sclerosis Continuum: Imaging and Pathogenesis of MS | 46 participants |
2014 | Dalhousie University | Translational MS Research: From Ideas to Innovation to Implementation | 45 participants |
2015 |
Université de Montréal and McGill University |
The Biology of Attack and Repair in MS | 43 participants |
2016 | University of British Columbia |
Dates: June 13-16, 2016 The Evolving Art and Science of MS Care |
40 participants |
2017 | Memorial University |
Dates: June 12-17, 2017 Moving MS Research Forward through Clinical and Biomedical Partnerships |
40 participants |
2018 |
Hospital for Sick Children's Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning |
Dates: June 11-14, 2018 Environmental and Lifestyle Factors Associated with MS: Bench to Bedside |
40 participants |
2019 |
University of Calgary |
Dates: May 25-29, 2019 3 Ps of MS: Pain, Protection, and rePair | 40 participants |
2020 | University of British Columbia | Dates: May 19-22, 2020 - In person cancelled - replaced with Bits & Bytes Sessions MS Bedside to Bench: A Primer in both MS Clinical Care & Roadmap for MS Research | 40 participants |
2021 | University of Saskatchewan | Dates: June 7-9, 2021 - Virtual Taking MS Research Off the Grid | 45 participants |
2022 | University of Ottawa | Dates: June 13-16, 2022 The Therapeutics of MS | 39 participants |
What participants have said about their experience
When asked what they liked about Summer School, some participants said:
"I was able to meet other MS trainees from across Canada and gain exposure to aspects of MS research and treatment that I normally do not encounter (MRI, clinical neurology). It was also a very well-organized program that utilized our limited time very effectively." (2019 participant)
"I like the environment that allowed networking and to meet
with MS patients. Being a student in fundamental research, it
is sometimes hard to relate back to MS patients, but after this
week I have even more energy to pursue my research to help
patients." (2018 participant)
"The variety of topics presented was amazing. There was a nice
blend from basic science to clinical research and then to
rehabilitation. Being exposed to these different areas opened
my eyes up to how little I knew about other aspects of MS
(other than my own research)." (2018 participant)
"I liked that it was not focused on one specific aspect of MS
research. The sessions were applicable to all fields." (2017
participant)
"This was a great Summer School. I liked the focus on
presentation skills, collaboration, patient involvement, and
career development." (2017 participant)
"I loved that it was focused on providing us skills and perspectives that would not get in our regular academia setting." (2017 participant)
" I feel inspired to go back to my institution and think
about things in a different way. Thank you so much for the
opportunity." (2016 participant)
"As a grad student, my work is so "zoomed-in" that it's
nice to sit back and take in the larger picture of MS and MS
research." (2016 participant)
"I appreciated the opportunity to gain exposure to a broad
array of MS research in a way that built from the bottom up and
touched on the most current findings." (2016
participant)
"EVERYTHING! Specifically, the workshops were amazing! The researchers that took their time to organize the hands-on workshops were fantastic. I learned so much about the ways other labs do procedures that I do in my lab differently (and as I learned, less efficiently!) They were so helpful!" (2015 participant)
"I LOVED interacting with MS patients. As someone who works in the lab, we don't always see the patient side. Very very motivating. I also liked the career panel at the end of the day. All workshops are EXACTLY what we are doing in our lab. Very relevant." (2015 participant)
"This was my first summer school and I really enjoyed it. I
think what I liked most about it was the fact that it was so
interdisciplinary and as a clinical researcher, I learned a lot
of new stuff from the basic sciences and started to identify
opportunities for collaboration even within my own field."
(2014 participant)
"The caliber of researchers who attend the summer school really
helped to motivate and drive my passion for MS research. The
organizers were amazing, I learned an immense amount AND had a
lot of fun." (2014 participant)
"I loved just about everything about it. I like the hands-on workshops, I really liked being able to interact with MS patients, media, and MS Society organizers, and see MS research from their point of view; I loved all the social opportunities to network (this is the BEST conference/event I have ever attended in terms of networking); I loved the knowledge transfer/communication sessions; the food was excellent; I really liked learning about other fields of MS research besides MRI... the list goes on!!" (2013 participant)
"Fostering relationships amongst trainees - this is really promoting a collaborative environment amongst the next generation of MS researchers in Canada.” (2012 participant)
"In addition to the fact that Summer School was a great opportunity to learn, it provided me with a chance to interact directly with trainees and faculty from all different avenues of MS research." (2011 participant)
Contact information
Program Manager: Ms. Anik Schoenfeldt
Tel: (514) 843-1442/ 1-877-288-2570
Email: anik.schoenfeldt@affiliate.mcgill.ca
Program Director: Dr. Christina Wolfson
Tel: (514) 934-1934 ext. 44739
Email: Christina.wolfson@mcgill.ca
endMS National Training Program Office
Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre
The Montreal General Hospital
1650 Cedar Avenue, Building R2-115
Montreal, Quebec H3G 1A4