Science School for Healthcare Professionals

ISPAD recognizes the importance of supporting healthcare professionals (other than doctors) to have a scientific and evidence-based approach to their work. Since 2004, ISPAD has held a Science School for Healthcare Professionals (such as dietitians, nurses, psychologists, and social workers) who have or wish to develop a research interest in diabetes in children and adolescents. The Schools provide a foundation around research and are held immediately prior to, and in conjunction with the annual ISPAD conference.

Over the years, some alumni participants have attended annual ISPAD conferences and presented findings from their Science School project, while others have gone on to complete their master or doctorate thesis.

ISPAD gratefully acknowledges the financial support of Breakthrough T1D (formerly JDRF) for this important initiative.

20th ISPAD Science School for Healthcare Professionals 2024

The next ISPAD Science School for Healthcare Professionals will take place in person in Lisbon, Portugal, immediately prior to the 50th ISPAD Annual Conference. The Science School consists of two full days of classes during October 13-14, plus a half-day on October 15. Participants will arrive on October 12 to attend a welcome dinner.

The Science School will give attendees an understanding around critiquing research, developing a research question, research methodologies, data analysis and writing of grant applications. Constructive discussion and feedback will also be provided on research projects currently being considered or undertaken.

To apply for attendance at the Science School, you must:

  • Be a practicing allied healthcare professional. Undergraduate students (i.e. training to be a nurse etc) are not permitted to attend.
  • Provide a copy of the primary qualification for the profession you are currently practicing in. An endorsement letter for proof of this qualification can be provided if the primary certification is unavailable.
  • Be a current ISPAD member at the time of application, and commit to being an ISPAD member for at least two years following the Science School. Proof of current ISPAD membership is to be provided.
  • Provide a resume detailing your employment and research experience (no more than two A4 pages). This should detail any engagement with ISPAD activities.
  • Provide a video submission with your application (maximum of three minutes) detailing past research experience and training, and why you want to attend the Science School.
  • Provide a brief research proposal for the research project you want to work on/develop during the Science School (please use the template provided here). Excluding the project title and details around research team members, this should be a maximum of 1000 words.
  • Provide a letter of endorsement from your Head of Department.
  • Detail if you have any research support for post the Science School to continue and finalize your project.
  • Have not previously attended an ISPAD Science School.

Physicians are not eligible to apply.

Please send your applications to [email protected]. Any incomplete applications will not be reviewed. Should there be any problems in completing your application, please do not hesitate to contact [email protected].

Applications are now closed.

If selected as a participant, ISPAD will cover (subject to limitations and conditions): the expenses for flights/travel, three nights of hotel accommodation, and all meals during the Science School for Healthcare Professionals. Participants who wish to attend the ISPAD 2024 Conference will also receive a free registration.

More Information about Past Science Schools for Healthcare Professionals (2004-2024).

The three day Science School is a foundation course in research methodology designed for allied healthcare professionals (dietitians, nurses, psychologists, and social workers) who have or wish to develop a research interest in diabetes in children and adolescents. They usually take place three days before ISPAD’s Annual Conferences.

  • 20th Science School for Healthcare Professionals (read the full report)  - Lisbon, Portugal, October 13-15, 2024
  • 19th Science School for Healthcare Professionals (read the full report)  - Rotterdam, The Netherlands, October 15-17, 2023   
  • 18th Science School for Healthcare Professionals (read the full report) - Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, October 10-12, 2022
  • 17th Science School for Healthcare Professionals (read the full report)* - Virtual, October 11-12, 2021
  • 16th Science School for Healthcare Professionals (read the full report) - Boston, USA, October 27-29, 2019
  • 15th Science School for Healthcare Professionals (read the AGM 2018 report) - Hyderabad, India, October 8-10, 2018
  • 14th Science School for Healthcare Professionals - Innsbruck, Austria, October 15-17, 2017 (read the AGM 2017 report)
  • 13th Science School for Healthcare Professionals - Valencia, Spain, October 23-25, 2016 (read the AGM 2016 report)
  • 12th Science School for Healthcare Professionals - Brisbane, Australia, October 4-6, 2015 (read the full report) by Heather Gilbertson, Carmel Smart
  • 11th ISPAD Science School for Health Professionals - Toronto, Canada, August 31-September 2, 2014 by Heather Gilbertson, Tim Wysocki
  • 10th ISPAD Science School for Health Professionals - Gothenburg, Sweden, October 13-15, 2013 by Bärbel Aschemeier, Heather Gilbertson
  • 9th ISPAD Science School for Health Professionals - Istanbul, Turkey, October 7-9, 2012 by Barbara Anderson, Bärbel Aschemeier
  • 8th ISPAD Science School for Health Professionals - Miami Beach, USA, October 16-18, 2011  (read the report) by Carmel Smart, Barbara Anderson
  • 7th ISPAD Science School for Health Professionals - Buenos Aires, Argentina, October 24-26, 2010 (read the report) by Alan Delamater, Carmel Smart
  • 6th ISPAD Science School for Health Professionals - Ljubljana, Slovenia, August 30 - September 1, 2009 by Alan Delamater, Sheridan Waldron
  • 5th ISPAD Science School for Health Professionals - Durban, South Africa, August 10-12, 2008  (read the report) by Alan Delamater, Sheridan Waldron
  • 4th ISPAD Science School for Health Professionals - Berlin, Germany, September 23-25, 2007 by Alan Delamater, Sheridan Waldron
  • 3rd ISPAD Science School for Health Professionals - Cambridge, UK, September 3-5, 2006 by Sheridan Waldron, Alexandra Greene
  • 2nd ISPAD Science School for Health Professionals - Krakow, Poland, 2005 by Marg McGill, Sheridan Waldron
  • 1st ISPAD Science School for Health Professionals - Singapore, 2004 by Marg McGill, Australia