About the Summer School
The European Union COST Action “The Birth of Solar Systems” will hold a spring school from 25 February to 7 March 2025, focusing on the properties, evolution, observation, and modelling of protoplanetary disks and planet formation. The event will be hosted in the beautiful Bertinoro Castle, near Bologna, overlooking the scenic Padanian Valley. This time of year showcases the cherry and peach blossoms in the charming town of Bertinoro. The event is co-organised by the COST Action “The Birth of Solar Systems”, the European Astrobiology Institute, and Stockholm University’s Astrobiology Centre.
Programme Overview
The spring school will cover:
- Introductory Talks: Presentations on foundational topics by participants.
- Lectures by Leading Researchers: Covering themes such as:
- Formation and early evolution of protoplanetary disks
- Late-stage evolution of disks and planet formation
- Practical Sessions: Hands-on exercises working with data from the Atacama Large Millimetre Array (ALMA)
Additionally, participants will enjoy a full-day and a half-day excursion around Bertinoro and have the opportunity to present their own research in two poster sessions. Full programme details are available on the Programme page.
The Venue
The Bertinoro Castle, located in the heart of medieval Bertinoro, will host the lectures, poster sessions, accommodations, and meals. The venue is approximately 80 km from Bologna Airport (which offers daily direct flights to many European cities) and Bologna railway station, a key hub in Italy's railway network. Shuttle services will be provided between Bologna Airport, Bologna train station, and Bertinoro on 23 February and 7 March. See the Venue & Access page for full details. See a nice video about the venue here.
Who Can Attend
The school welcomes graduate students (Master’s and PhD) and early-career scientists. Senior researchers are also encouraged to apply, with a lower priority given to citizen scientists. Applicants of all nationalities are welcome. For details on the application process and criteria, please visit the Application page (link).
Applications close on 30 November 2024. Meals and accommodation will be provided at affordable rates, and bursaries are available (see below). Course credit (ECTS points) for undergraduate and PhD students will be recommended for consideration by home institutions.
Bursaries
Bursaries are available for researchers and students from countries participating in the COST Action “The Birth of Solar Systems”. A list of eligible countries is available here. Priority will be given to Young Researchers and Innovators (age under 40).
If you wish to apply for a bursary, please mention this in your application email. Bursary coverage includes:
- Economy-class travel (up to EUR 300)
- Accommodation in single, double, or shared rooms at Bertinoro Castle
- Meals (dinner on 23 February through breakfast on 7 March)
- Participation in excursions
- Course materials
Successful bursary applicants will be notified shortly after the application deadline.
