QPRN presents:
The North American Pain School
An international educational
initiative since 2016
Fairmont Le Château Montebello
Montebello, QC, Canada
QPRN presents:
The North American Pain School
An international educational
initiative since 2016
Fairmont Le Château Montebello
Montebello, QC, Canada
NAPS is open to graduate students, post-doctoral fellows and clinician-scientists enrolled on a full time basis in a pain research training program. Selections will be based primarily on scientific merit and commitment, with consideration also given to equity and need. Note that selected applicants will need to be available for the full duration of the event.
Please provide a 1-page letter summarizing your research and/or career interests and how you believe attending NAPS will help you in your pursuit of these goals.
(sent separately by sponsors, see details on application page)
Grad students: one (1) letter from your current advisor/supervisor
Postdocs and clinical fellows: two (2) letters, including one from your current advisor/supervisor
Any format and length
Please note that all NAPS applicants must be trainee members of IASP before applying (go to this link for IASP membership) because part of our support comes from an IASP grant, and membership helps keep the program connected to their community.
A paragraph describing your interest in the program is required in the application form. Click here for more detail about this program.
The registration fee for NAPS is a non-refundable CAD$1,500 and includes meals, accommodation and all on-site activities and program. Ground transportation by shuttle bus between Montreal airport to Chateau Montebello at designated times will also be provided.
Participants are responsible for covering the costs of their own airfare and any additional expenses related to participation (e.g. local ground transportation to and from their home location to airport).
Arrival Timing
Participants must arrive at Montreal airport (YUL) in time to board one of the two scheduled shuttles to Château Montebello (in rural Quebec) on the first day of NAPS (Sunday June 28).
The trip takes about 90 minutes. Participants are strongly encouraged to arrive in time for the scheduled shuttles. Those who cannot do so must arrange a private car service at their own expense (approximately CAD$200 one way) and ensure they arrive on-site in time for the first program activity at 4:30 p.m.
All proposed travel itineraries must be reviewed and approved by a NAPS coordinator before being booked.
Departure Timing
Two shuttle buses will depart for Montreal airport on the morning of the last day of NAPS (Friday, July 3rd).
When booking your flight, please remember to factor in the 90-minute shuttle ride plus the recommended 1–2 hours for airport check-in before departure (depending on whether your flight is domestic or international). If your flight doesn’t match these shuttle times, you’ll need to arrange and cover the cost of your own private transportation (see above).
If you are traveling a long distance, it may be beneficial to arrive in Montreal the day before and stay at the airport hotel (we can recommend one) to ensure you’re available for the scheduled shuttle transport to Montebello.
Travel Awards
NAPS will provide travel awards to help offset airfare and other participation-related expenses. The amount of each award will depend on the success of our partnerships and fundraising efforts and will be confirmed when offer letters are sent out, before participants are asked to accept. Travel awards are granted after the event, provided the following conditions are met:
Other Important Information
Due to the immersive and intensive nature of the program, we strongly discourage participants from bringing family members (exceptions can be made for breastfeeding individuals, etc.)
Please note that students will share a room with someone of the same gender, as this roommate experience is an important part of fostering community, collaboration, and networking during NAPS.
If you require single room occupancy for medical or other valid reasons, and a single room is available within the NAPS hotel block, it can be arranged for an additional cost of approximately CAD$300 per night.
Please contact us within two weeks of receiving your acceptance letter if you require special housing considerations.
Once your complete application has been received and processed, your application file is passed to the Executive Committee, who will base their evaluation on the submitted documents (letter of interest, CV and letter(s) of recommendation). All candidates will receive a e-mail notifying them on the outcome of their application.
See our code of conduct and media policy
Application
Yes, you’re welcome to apply in multiple years! Many NAPSters applied in more than one year before attending. We often select more senior students who are likely to get the most out of the experience due to their stage of training and engagement in their research. So don’t be discouraged—sometimes it just takes a little extra persistence.
No, there’s no specific publication requirement. Selection decisions are based on a combination of your letter of interest, CV, and letter(s) of recommendation.
We recommend applying toward the later stages of your PhD or during your post-doctoral training, as trainees who are more advanced and demonstrate depth in their specific area of pain research tend to benefit the most from the NAPS experience. While Master’s students are also welcome to apply and can be accepted, priority is generally given to more senior graduate students due to the broad spectrum of pain research represented. If you’re not accepted initially, don’t be discouraged — we encourage you to apply again!
Yes, competitive applicants are retained on a waiting list, in case a slot becomes available. If that happens, we will offer invitations to those on the waiting list. If a spot becomes available, we may contact you to attend NAPS up to a week before the event. If you’re on our wait list, please continue to save the date if you can!
Sorry, NAPS is only open to graduate students, post-doctoral fellows and clinician-scientists enrolled on a full time basis in a pain research training program.
Yes, NAPS is open to trainees from all around the world, but is based in North America and primarily targets trainees in the U.S.A. and Canada. That said, every year, between 3 to 5 trainees from outside North America attend NAPS.
Typically, we accept only one trainee per lab to maximize diversity and ensure a broad range of research areas are represented at NAPS. While it’s great that multiple lab members are interested, please be aware that selection aims to include trainees from many different labs.
NAPS receives approximately 80 to 120 applications every year. Of those, 30 trainees are selected to attend.
This optional track is for trainees who want to deepen their skills in science communication. It includes extra sessions and mentorship. To apply, simply include a short paragraph in your NAPS application outlining why you’re interested.
Registration
NAPS operates with the support of partners who commit annually, and while we do our best to fundraise, we currently need to charge a registration fee. The CAD$1,500 fee covers your entire experience at NAPS once you arrive. If our fundraising efforts are successful, we offer Travel Awards to help defray some of your costs.
Travel
To find out if you need a Visa to travel to Canada, please visit https://www.cic.gc.ca/english/visit/visas.asp If that is the case, NAPS can provide a Visa letter.
To ensure a smooth and coordinated experience, participants are required to arrange their flights to arrive and depart in coordination with the designated shuttle service. Montebello is in rural Quebec, about a 90-minute drive from the nearest airport. You can’t simply take a taxi, and Uber is very expensive. Taking the shuttle not only helps NAPS manage transportation efficiently, but also makes the trip more fun and social! Missing the shuttle may result in participants needing to arrange their own transportation to the venue at their own cost.
No, full participation is required. NAPS is designed as an immersive, start-to-finish experience, and partial attendance isn’t permitted. If your schedule conflicts, we recommend applying in a future year when you can attend the full program.
No, NAPS requires full engagement and attendance throughout the entire program. If you have a major commitment during the dates, it’s best to apply in another year when you can fully participate.
We’ll provide a full packing list closer to the event, but plan for casual, comfortable clothes (layers are helpful!), any personal toiletries, formalwear and essentials like your laptop, chargers, and any medications. Don’t forget a swimsuit — there’s a pool at Château Montebello!
Accommodation
We strongly encourage trainees to share a room with another participant as sharing is an important part of the NAPS experience, fostering connections and collaboration. Additionally, room sharing helps us keep costs down and makes the program more affordable. Trainees who prefer a single room are responsible for covering the additional cost, and single rooms are only available if our room block has availability.
Because NAPS is an immersive and intensive program, we strongly discourage participants from bringing family members or friends. Exceptions may be made for special circumstances, such as breastfeeding mothers. If others attend under extenuating circumstances (approved by the organizers), participants are responsible for their costs and must inform the organizer if those guests will participate in any group activities (breakfast, lunch, dinner, etc.).
We do our best to accommodate dietary restrictions and accessibility requirements. There will be a section in the registration form to indicate your needs — please be as specific as possible so we can ensure you’re comfortable and supported throughout the week.
Program
Yes! NAPS is intentionally structured to encourage informal interaction between trainees and faculty. You’ll have many opportunities to engage with them during meals, breaks, and sessions — and even on the tennis court or during a bonfire.
Only if you want to have an unforgettable time. While it’s optional, the rafting trip is a NAPS highlight — equal parts adrenaline, teamwork, and laughter. Whether you’re paddling hard or just trying not to fall in, it’s a bonding experience you won’t want to miss.
