ISLC-PAIS Conference
International Society for Long COVID and Post-Acute Infection Syndromes
WE PROVIDE A COVID-SAFE ENVIRONMENT
26th to 29th August, 2026
Amsterdam (the Netherlands)
Join Lionhearted Science
United Against Long COVID & PAIS
Post-Acute Infection Syndromes (PAIS), including Long COVID, are among the most complex and urgent health challenges of our time. Their impact extends far beyond healthcare, affecting work, education, social participation and long-term wellbeing, with growing economic consequences. Despite rapidly growing scientific insight, knowledge remains fragmented across disciplines, countries and care systems. This underscores the need for structured international collaboration to integrate evidence, align clinical practice and accelerate real-world impact.
This is why we are organizing the ISLC-PAIS Conference 2026.
International Society for Long COVID and Post-Acute Infection Syndromes (ISLC)
A new global scientific and clinical collaboration opportunity
It is precisely this gap between emerging scientific evidence and its integration into clinical care, policy and practice that the International Society for Long COVID and Post-Acute Infection Syndromes (ISLC).
ISLC is an international, interdisciplinary platform that brings together researchers, clinicians, policymakers and patient representatives to accelerate knowledge exchange and real-world impact.
Building on this collaborative foundation, the conference will also mark the launch of a new International Society for PAIS Research and Care.
ISCL-PAIS CONFERENCE
Why participate?
Structured interdisciplinary cross-pollination
A conference format intentionally built to connect disciplines, career stages and perspectives in direct dialogue, all bright minds together in one unique venue.
Shaping what comes next in PAIS research & care
100% driven by scientists, clinicians and lived experience, featuring world-leading experts in PAIS and Long COVID sharing the latest scientific and clinical insights.
Amsterdam – Inspiration for Good –
A beautiful, vibrant and historic city with a long legacy of hosting impactful international conferences.
Who should attend?
Biomedical, clinical, translational researchers
Physicians and allied health professionals
Epidemiologists and public health scientists
Academic investigators across all related disciplines
Early-career researchers and graduate students
Policymakers and public health leaders
Health system and programme decision-makers
Patient representatives and advocacy leaders
NGOs and civil society organizations
Foundations and mission-aligned institutions
World-Leading Experts
Their work spans biomedical research, clinical practice, public health and patient-centred innovation.
Additional leading speakers will be announced over the coming weeks.
David Putrino
Professor & Director of Rehabilitation Innovation
(Mount Sinai)
Ziyad Al-Aly
Director of Clinical Epidemiology (VA Saint Louis Health Care System) & Professor (Washington University School of Medicine)
Eva Untersmayr
Medical Specialist in Immunology & Head of Gastrointestinal Immunology Research Group (Medical University of Vienna)
Michael Peluso
Professor of Medicine (University of California San Francisco)
Carmen Scheibenbogen
Professor of Immunology (Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin)
An internationally recognised immunologist whose work on immune dysregulation, autoantibodies and PAIS has been pivotal in advancing understanding of ME/CFS and Long COVID.
Welcome to Amsterdam
It’s a privilege to host this conference in my hometown, Amsterdam.
We all know that Long COVID and post-acute infection syndromes demand more than isolated expertise. It requires courage to question assumptions, openness to listen across boundaries and the determination to intensify collaboration – biomedical researchers, clinicians, health systems, patients, and the next generation of scientists alike.
The Dutch lion is a historic symbol of strength, courage, and unity – and not without reason. We need lionhearted science – united against PAIS. And this conference is designed to bring together those willing to push the field forward – together.
Warm regards,
Rob Wüst
Associate Professor Department of Human Movement Sciences of the VU University
Don’t miss early-bird registration
Drop your email below so we can notify you when registration starts
Early-bird rates
Secure your place at the ISLC-PAIS Conference 2026 with a reduced early-bird rate. Choose the delegate category that best fits your current role.
eARLY-CAREER DELEGATE
(In-Person)
For PhD candidates, postdoctoral researchers, and researchers who have not yet established an independent research or clinical position.
REGULAR DELEGATE
(In-Person)
For academics, clinicians, researchers, allied health professionals, patient advocates and representatives, and policymakers, including government officials.
INDUSTRY DELEGATE
(In-Person)
For representatives from life sciences, health tech, pharma, medtech, investment, data & AI, consultancy, and other relevant industry sectors.
H’ART Museum
H’ART Museum Amsterdam is housed in the former Amstelhof, a historic building that served as a care institution for centuries.
Long before becoming a cultural venue, this site was dedicated to caring for people living with chronic illness, vulnerability, and the realities of long-term health conditions. Now home to H’ART Museum Amsterdam, it continues that legacy by bringing together science, clinical practice, and lived experience during the ISLC-PAIS Conference.
Supporting Organizations
This conference is made possible through institutional support from organizations dedicated to
advancing research, collaboration, and societal impact in PAIS, including Long COVID.
Sponsors
Sponsorship opportunities for the PAIS Conference are currently being developed.
HEALTH & SAFETY
The ISLC-PAIS Conference team are committed to ensuring a safe, inclusive, and science-based environment for all attendees and speakers. We are currently in direct contact with technical partners, to hire / barter Air Disinfection Systems, and have already conducted preliminary assessments at the venue. These assessments indicate that a very high level of air renewal is possible in large parts of the building, which gives us a strong baseline to work from. In addition to ventilation capacity, we are preparing continuous indoor air quality monitoring during the conference using professional CO₂ monitoring units. These systems do not rely on large public displays, but provide real-time readings directly to designated members of the conference team via their mobile devices. Alerts are triggered if thresholds are exceeded, allowing us to immediately coordinate with the venue’s technical staff to adjust ventilation where needed. Regarding personal protective measures, we strongly encourage the use of high-quality masks in all indoor settings to help protect our community and will have a supply of high-quality masks available on site, and hand disinfectant stations will be placed throughout the venue.
Sponsorship Opportunities
The ISLC-PAIS Conference 2026 brings together leading scientists, clinicians, policymakers, and patient representatives to advance progress in PAIS, including Long COVID.
We are currently welcoming mission-aligned organizations interested in supporting the PAIS Conference through sponsorship or in-kind contributions.
A detailed sponsorship brochure outlining partnership opportunities and visibility options is currently being developed. Organizations interested in receiving this information once available are invited to leave their contact details.
vOLUNTEER WITH US
We invite a limited number of volunteers to help shape the organization and flow of the ISLC-PAIS Conference. This is about learning by doing, shared responsibility, and contributing to an international scientific event with real impact.
Volunteer roles range across a variety of tasks, matched to individual skills and interests. These may include interviewing keynote speakers for the conference website, supporting and guiding speakers on site, staffing the information desk, assisting with conference setup, documenting key medical sessions, creating content for the website and social media, and helping coordinate social events.