PAIS Summer School
PAIS SUMMER SCHOOL | 2026 Amsterdam islc-pais conference
Shaping the Next Generation
Join this two-day pre-conference program on Tuesday August 25th and Wednesday August 26th for PhD students, postdoctoral researchers and other early-career researchers working on Long COVID, ME/CFS and related Post-Acute Infection Syndromes.
Learn from the experts
The PAIS Summer School is an intimate, interactive two-day training event for approximately 40 participants. The program combines lectures by international leading researchers with structured discussions, patient-participation sessions, mentorship and peer exchange.
Hosted by the Netherlands ME/CFS Cohort and Biobank (NMCB), MECFS Lines and partner networks, the PAIS Summer School offers a unique opportunity to learn from internationally leading researchers, exchange ideas with peers and build collaborations across the rapidly evolving field of Post-Acute Infection Syndromes.
Who can participate?
PhD students, postdoctoral researchers and other early-career researchers working on Long COVID, ME/CFS and related Post-Acute Infection Syndromes.
When does it take place?
The Summer School takes place on Tuesday August 25th between 09:00 – 22:00 and Wednesday August 26th between 08:30 and 15:00. We finish before the opening of the ISLC-PAIS Conference.
What does it cost?
Participation costs €150, including coffee/tea breaks, lunch on both days and dinner on 25 August. Participation is free for NMCB and MECFS Lines consortium members.
Scientific Themes & Topics
The PAIS Summer School program will focus on cross-cutting scientific and methodological challenges in PAIS research, including:
Definitions & Phenotyping
How do we define Long COVID, ME/CFS and related PAIS conditions? Explore case definitions, diagnostic challenges and approaches to clinical phenotyping.
Shared Disease Mechanisms
Examine biological processes that may be shared across different PAIS. Discuss common pathways and emerging mechanistic insights.
Autonomic Dysfunction
Gain insight into orthostatic intolerance, dysautonomia and related symptoms. Learn about current research approaches and clinical implications.
Biomarkers & Biology
Discover how immunological, metabolic and biomarker research is advancing our understanding of PAIS. Explore promising tools for the future.
Endotypes & Heterogeneity
Why do patients experience different symptoms and disease trajectories? Learn how researchers are identifying subgroups and disease endotypes.
Treatment & Translation
Review current treatment strategies, symptom management approaches and translational research efforts. Discuss turning research into clinical practice.
Severe Patient Research
Explore approaches for studying severely affected, home-bound and bed-bound patients. Address the unique challenges of research in this underserved group.
Patient Engagement
Learn how meaningful patient participation can strengthen research quality and relevance. Discuss effective communication with all involved.
Careers & Collaboration
Build skills for developing a successful research career in an emerging field. Explore opportunities for mentorship, networking and collaboration.
Learn from Leading experts.
Participants will benefit from direct interaction with researchers, clinicians and scientific leaders from some of the world’s most respected institutions.
A full list of session contributors will be announced soon.
Michael
Peluso
Assistant Professor of Medicine University of California
David
Putrino
Director of Rehabilitation Innovation Icahn School of Medicine Mount Sinai
Satish
Raj
Professor of Cardiac Sciences University of Calgary
Carmen Scheibenbogen
Professor of Immunology Universitätsmedizin Berlin
Karl Johan
Tronstad
Professor of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology University of Bergen
Eva
Untersmayr
Medical Specialist Immunology University of Vienna
Janneke van de Wijgert
Professor of Epidemiology University Medical Center Utrecht
To be
announced
Waiting for confirmation Please check back within a few weeks
To be
announced
Waiting for confirmation Please check back within a few weeks
See What You’ll Learn Across Two Intensive Days
Early-Career Award
To support the next generation of PAIS researchers the ISLC-PAIS Conference and the PAIS Summer School will offer 12 Early-Career Awards of €500 for attendees of the PAIS Summer School and ISLC-PAIS Conference 2026 who have submitted a high quality abstract and participate in both the Conference and the PAIS Summer School.
Eligibility
Early-Career Awards are available to Early-Career researchers who submitted an abstract, registered for both the PAIS Summer School and the Conference, and indicated their interest during the now closed abstract submission process.
Selection
Early-Career Awards are allocated to eligible Early Career researchers whose abstracts received the highest evaluation scores. The motivation submitted as part of the application process may be used as an additional consideration where needed.
Value
Each Early-Career Award provides a € 500,- contribution to help offset costs associated with attending the PAIS Summer School and the Conference. As the Award is paid out after attending, it cannot be used to reduce registration fees.
Notification
Award recipients will be informed shortly after abstract selection and before the final registration and payment deadline of July 5th. The Awards will be formaly presented during the Conference.
Questions?
The PAIS Summer School is organised by the Netherlands ME/CFS Cohort and Biobank (NMCB), MECFS Lines and partner networks. researchers, for researchers. If you have any questions about the programme, registration process or travel awards, please don’t hesitate to contact us.
O|2 Lab Building
A Modern Research Environment
The O|2 Lab Building is home to researchers working across biomedical and health sciences disciplines. The building was created to encourage interaction between researchers from different disciplines, making it an ideal setting for discussion, networking and scientific exchange.
Home of the Organising Team
The O|2 Lab Building is home to the research group of Prof. Rob Wüst, co-organiser of the PAIS Summer School and Chair of the ISLC-PAIS Conference Foundation. His internationally recognised work on exercise physiology, muscle dysfunction and Post-Exertional Malaise has helped advance the understanding of Long COVID and related PAIS conditions.