endMS Summer School

Eligibility

The endMS Summer School is open to applicants studying at Canadian universities who are enrolled full time in a graduate program or are postdoctoral/clinical fellows. This includes international students and international postdoctoral fellows studying at Canadian universities.

If applying from outside of Canada, applicant must be a recipient of a MS Canada Studentship or Fellowship and hold Canadian citizenship or permanent resident status 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.

Important Dates

• Competition Opens: Mid December 2024
• Application Deadline: February 19, 2025
• Anticipated Notice of Decision: Mid April 2025
• Program Dates: June 16-19, 2025

Application and Program Guidelines

Applications and Program Guidelines are available via: www.endmstrainingprogram.ca/endms-summer-school

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

Summer School Highlights

For more information on each Summer School, click on the corresponding year below:

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