Peter Brooks State of the Science International Conference 2026

Join us for the Peter Brooks State of the Science International Conference – an innovative, science-focused meeting dedicated to discoveries in RLS!

The State of the Science Conference is the premier international meeting for RLS, bringing together leading experts to share the latest research discoveries and science-based care approaches to improve quality of life. This event will focus on advances in pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatments, while charting a course for future RLS clinical care and research.

While this event is tailored to researchers and healthcare professionals, patients are invited to attend and learn these high level presentations alongside the scientific community.

Dates: September 23 - September 26, 2026

Location: Hilton Washington Dulles Airport Hotel 13869 Park Center Rd, Herndon, VA 20171, conveniently located just 8 minutes from Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD).

Co-chairs:

  • Stefan Clemens, PhD, HdR
  • Chris Earley, MB, BCh, PhD, FRCPI

Program and Organizing Committee:

  • Jeffrey Durmer, MD, PhD
  • David Loskutoff, PhD
  • Karla Dzienkowski, RN, BSN
  • Adrianna Colucci, BA

To learn more about the speakers and the conference program, click here. To view the preliminary itinerary, click here. The agenda will continue to evolve as additional speakers, sessions and program details are confirmed. Register now to save your seat today!

Early registration is open now through July 20. Registration costs will increase to $400 between July 20 - September 7.

Included with your registration:

  • Gala dinner (September 23)
  • Keynote presentation by Marishka Brown, NHLBI, NIH
  • Breakfast, lunch and snacks are provided for all conference days
  • Welcome bag

Upon registering we recommend booking your hotel accommodations as soon as possible. You may reserve rooms online using this booking link.

Registration ends Friday, September 4. If you need to cancel your registration, you may be eligible for a partial refund by emailing adrianna@rls.org.

  • Cancel by July 20 - full refund
  • Cancel by August 16 - 50% refund
  • Cancellations after August 17 - non-refundable

Young Investigators

The RLS Foundation invites abstract submissions for the Peter Brooks Young Investigator Award, recognizing early-career researchers whose work advances the understanding, diagnosis and treatment of RLS. Selected applicants will present a poster on their emerging research during the conference. Up to 10 applicants will be awarded and receive financial support to attend the conference. International applicants are welcome.

Application:

  • 250-word abstract due by July 17.
  • Submit your abstract here.

Eligibility:

  • The abstract must be submitted by the first author.
  • The first author must present the work at the conference.
  • The first author must be either:
    • within 10 years of receiving an MD or PhD, or
    • within 3 years of publishing their first RLS-related peer-reviewed manuscript.