Terms of the Application and Admission Process

The IBTN Summer School is a week-long academic program that explores how to break through current obstacles in behavioural trial methodologies and expand the reach, capacity, and impact of trials in the field of behavioural medicine. The 2026 edition will be held in person and in English from May 4 to 9, 2026.

Working with internationally renowned experts in innovative clinical trials, behavioural intervention development, and patient-oriented research, students will attend courses and will learn about developing effective behavioural interventions and conducting high-quality trials. The Summer School was developed to offer an introductory level approach to the variety of topics covered by its curriculum. It is an excellent opportunity for individuals who have basic experience developing or testing behavioural interventions and/or who wish to develop their experience in this domain going forward.

Read more about past editions of the IBTN Summer School.

Timeline and Deadlines

• • Start of application period: July 2025
  • End of application period: September 29, 2025
  • Notification of admission: Week of October 13, 2025
  • Deadline to confirm acceptance: November 13, 2025
  • Deadline to pay fees: November 13, 2025
  • Start of online activities: April 2026
  • Opening activities: Evening of May 3, 2026
  • Course dates: May 4 to 9, 2026
  • End of online activities: June 2026

Applicants traveling from outside Canada should inquire in advance about requirements and time needed to obtain a visitor visa to Canada.

Terms of the Application and Admission Process

Who can attend the Summer School?

The Summer School is open to graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, and new investigators who want to develop and extend their knowledge about behavioural trials. We encourage graduate students and early career investigators based in lower and middle-income countries (LMICs) to participate to the Summer School. View the list of lower and middle-income countries.

All applicants must be IBTN members or become IBTN members before they submit their Summer School application. Membership is free and open to anyone working, studying, engaged, or otherwise actively interested in the field of behavioural science. Membership requests are typically processed within 1-3 working days. Apply for membership.

For the purposes of the admission process, graduate students include:

1. PhD students
2. Masters students

Note: Masters students may be considered for admission if they have the pertinent experience and interest.

Postdoctoral fellows include:

1. Full-time postdoctoral fellows who have received their last graduate studies degree within the last 5 years

Early Career Investigators include:

1. Early career investigators who have obtained their first position as an independent professor (or equivalent) within the last 5 years
2. Full time research associates (or equivalent) who have received their PhD degree within the last 5 years

Note: In exceptional cases, early career investigators based in LMICs who have obtained their professor position more than 5 years ago may be considered.

When will the Summer School take place?

The Summer School will take place in person from May 4 to 9, 2026, with a series of online preparatory activities in advance and online summary activities to conclude the program. Participants should set aside approximately 10-20 hours to complete the preparatory assignments and approximately 10 hours to complete the summary activities.

• April and early May: Preparatory activities (Approximately 12 hours, readings and short assignments OR course videos, to be confirmed)
• May 4 to 9: Summer School program activities including opening activities on the evening of May 3
• Late May: Summary activities (final submission of group projects* and individual reflection exercise)

* Time required to complete group projects may vary based on individual groups and their activities between May 4 and 9.

Where will the Summer School be held?

The 2026 edition will be held in person at the Université du Québec à Montréal, in Montréal, Québec, Canada. See the Program Schedule section for more information.

What courses will be offered?

To be announced. View course outlines from previous editions: 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023

How many university credits can I earn by attending the Summer School?

The IBTN Summer School is a PhD-level course recognised by Québec’s Ministère de l’Éducation et de l’Enseignement supérieur and approved by the host institution (Université du Québec à Montréal). The program will offer attendees three (3) university-level credits.

Summer School credits are accepted toward degrees at most colleges and universities at the discretion of the home institution. The Université du Québec à Montréal has an agreement with many universities in North America. However, because degree requirements vary among schools, it is recommended that you check your home school’s credit transfer policies before you register.

Please note: For those who wish to obtain university credits, university tuition fees apply on top of Summer School fees. Tuition fees are charged and payable on a case-by-case basis. Fees are based on student status and the arrangements between the home institution and the host university. When applying, please indicate on the application form if you would like to obtain credits for the Summer School program. A member of the IBTN team will contact you and help coordinate your admission and payment of your tuition fees.

What are the admission procedures?

• • • Read all the terms of the application and admission process on this page
    • Fill out the online application form * Application period now closed
      
    • Upload a CV and letter of intent in one of the following formats: .doc, .docx, .odt, .ott, .pdf, .rtf, according to the following guidelines.
      • A current academic CV: Maximum of two (2) pages including current program of study; previous degrees; previous work experiences; publications; and any other relevant information.
      • Letter of intent: Maximum of two (2) pages covering your previous experience with behavioural interventions; relevant background training; research areas of current and future interest; motivation for attending the Summer School; and any other relevant information.
    • Please also provide proof of your status (see below)

What is a “proof of status”?

• • • For Master’s and PhD students: a clear and readable scan or photo of your current student ID or a copy of your 2025-2026 transcript.
    • For postdocs: a copy of an official university document clearly indicating the date where your last diploma was granted or a copy of your last diploma clearly indicating the granting date.
    • For all other participants: an official document from a university or other institution clearly indicating the date of your first appointment within a department or research centre (or equivalent).

How much does it cost?

REGISTRATION FEES: All candidates who accept admission to the Summer School will be required to pay registration fees: CAD $495 or CAD $295 for those qualifying as students. Learn more about qualifying for student status. Registration fees will be payable via the Grenadine online payment platform hosted by Université du Québec à Montréal. Payment details will be sent with the offer of admission.

MEALS: Registration fees cover light breakfast and lunch for all participants and any programmed evening activities and meals.

APPLICANTS FROM LOWER AND MIDDLE-INCOME COUNTRIES: Applicants from lower and middle-income countries (LMICs) may be eligible for fee waivers. Applicants based in LMICs are invited to identify themselves as such directly on the online application form. View list of eligible lower and middle-income countries.

TUITION FEES: For students seeking university credits, tuition fees will also apply and depend on the student’s status and the agreements between their university and the Summer School’s host institution (see University Credit section).

TRAVEL AND ACCOMMODATIONS STIPEND: Applicants may, when submitting their application, apply for a stipend to offset their travel and accommodations costs. Amounts will be based on the distance to be travelled and available funding. Amounts will be deposited electronically into an account designated by the applicant during the admissions process.

What is the application deadline?

Applications are accepted until September 29, 2025.

Once I receive my offer of admission, how do I register?

Candidates who receive an offer of admission will also receive a payment request for registration fees and/or confirmation of their eligibility to receive a tuition fee waiver. Candidates must confirm their admission to the Summer School by paying their registration fees. Registration fees must be paid by the deadline (see Timeline and Deadlines section).

Once payment is received, the IBTN team will register the candidate. Students requesting university credits for the Summer School program will be contacted by the IBTN team (see University Credit section).

What is the program schedule?

• Sunday, May 3
  • 6pm to 9pm – opening dinner in the downtown Montréal area
• Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, May 4, 5, 6
  • 8:30am – Arrival and on-site breakfast
  • 9am – noon – Morning sessions
  • Noon – 1pm – On-site lunch
  • 1pm to 5pm – Afternoon sessions and group work
• Thursday, May 7
  • 8:30am – Arrival and on-site breakfast
  • 9am – noon – Morning sessions
  • Evening – Opening ceremonies for the IBTN 2026 Conference
• Friday and Saturday, May 8-9
  • 8:30am – Arrival and on-site breakfast
  • 9am to 4pm -IBTN 2026 Conference activities (required for Summer School attendees)

How do I withdraw from the Summer School?

The deadline to submit a request for withdrawal from the 2026 Summer School is January 9, 2026. Your request for withdrawal must be directed to the IBTN Team at team@ibtnetwork.org. A non-refundable fee of $50 will be withheld. Participants choosing to withdraw after this date may do so, but their registration fees will not be refundable.

I have other questions. Where can I get more information?

Email the IBTN Team at team@ibtnetwork.org