Category: Meetings

EAI spring school in Czechia: Tracking the evolution of planetary systems and planets

The spring school “Tracking the evolution of planetary systems and planets” which is co-organised by the COST Action “The birth of solar systems” and the European Astrobiology Institute (EAI) will be taking place from 15th to 22nd April 2026 at Liblice Castle, Czechia. It aims to give attendees a thorough introduction into the formation of protoplanetary disks, planetary systems and planets with the focus on observational, experimental and theoretical methods to investigate the associated processes. Bursaries are available for early career scientists from most European countries (not only from EU countries, see a list here) covering the vast majority of costs for meals and accommodation aare available.

The lectures will cover the following programme points:

  • Main physical and chemical processes in the evolution of protoplanetary disks and early planetary systems
  • Molecules and the dynamic evolution of discs and planetary systems
  • The role of grains and ices in protoplanetary disks and their evolution
  • Observation of grains and ices in protoplanetary disks
  • Formation of planets via accretion
  • Planet-disc interaction
  • Molecular abundance in protoplanetary discs and dependence on different parameters
  • Laboratory methods investigating chemical processes relevant under planet formation
  • Modelling of reaction networks in planet formation
  • Atomic and molecular spectra (IR and optical) for astronomic observations
  • Evolution and chemistry of exoplanet atmospheres
  • Molecular observations of exoplanet atmospheres
  • Architecture of exoplanetary systems from the perspective of observer

Other programme points include:

  • Using JWST observations of molecules in disks and exoplanets as indicators of properties of disks and planets

  • Poster sessions

  • Discussions

  • Excursion: Prague for astronomers
Application deadline is 15 January 2026. Check out the school website for further information https://europeanastrobiology.eu/spring-school-tracking-the-evolution-of-protoplanetary-disks-home/

REMINDER: RED26 (school of astrobiology) application deadline soon

We would like to remind you that the deadline for the French school of astrobiology (RED26 – Rencontres exobiologiques pour doctorants) is approaching. If you want to take part in next year’s school, the application needs to be sent BEFORE December 14th 2025.

From the RED website:

RED is a Training School about the “Basics in Astrobiology”. Astrobiology addresses questions related to the origins of life, its evolution, and distribution in the Universe. This school aims to offer an interdisciplinary training in astrobiology to students and young researchers having a master’s degree in astronomy, planetology, geology, chemistry, biology, or history and philosophy of science. If you are preparing a thesis or are an early career scientist with a subject related to astrobiology, this training school is for you! 

The registration form for RED 26 must be filled in and completed before December 14th, 2025. The number of places at the school is limited to 40 participants. The main target audience of the school is PhD students, but (…) second year of master’s students (conducting a research project in the frame of their studies) and early career scientists are also accepted. The cost for registration is 550 € including the full board stay (…).

Life and Space DAYS, Polish online event, starting December 4th

The Polish Astrobiological Society (PTAstrobio) would like to welcome you to the 1st edition of Life and Space DAYS (LAS DAYS 25) – an international online science event dedicated to exploring the cutting edge of astrobiology, space science, and the origins of life.

The event will take place from December 4–7, 2025. Organized by the Polish Astrobiological Society, this inaugural edition will bring together researchers, students, and space enthusiasts from around the world to exchange ideas, spark new collaborations, and envision the future of life in the Universe. The event starts with a Big Bang – the opening keynote speaker is Peggy Whitson. Joining not long after her return from ISS, this accomplished astronaut and biochemist will share insights from her work. The opening lecture begins on December 4th at 18:00 CET.

How to Participate: All lectures will be streamed via the AstroBio YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@PTAstrobio

PTAstrobio looks forward to your valuable presence and contributions to make this event a reservoir of knowledge and inspiration!

Useful links:
Event website: https://astrobio.pl/las25/
LAS DAYS 25 Facebook event: https://www.facebook.com/events/751232691312185/
PTAstroBio Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PTAstroBio

Early Career Network of the UK Royal Astronomical Society

The Early Career Network (ECN) of the UK Royal Astronomical Society would like to welcome expressions of interest from Early Career Fellows to join their Committee.

The ECN Steering Group is a Committee dedicated to building a supportive and welcoming community for early career researchers, supporting them in their career progression, and helping them to build relevant skills such as networking, conducting research and writing funding applications.

The Committee is responsible for, amongst other things, organising the RAS early career events, connecting early career researchers with other Fellows who can support them and act as a liaison between the early career community and the RAS senior Fellows, staff and Council. The Committee expects to meet regularly (approximately once a month), and the meetings are typically hybrid or fully virtual.

If you are interested in joining, please send a short expression of interest to ecn@ras.ac.uk outlining your interest in joining and any experience relevant for a role on the Committee. Looking forward to your comments.

Travel Award for UK and Ireland based Early-career researchers

The Europlanet Ireland & UK Hub is pleased to open a travel award call for Early Career Researchers (ECRs) to attend a conference, meeting, or other event pertinent to their planetary science research in 2025. Please submit applications here: https://www.europlanet.org/ireland-uk-hub-ecr-funding-scheme-2025/

Please consider the following when applying:

Applicants must:

  • be affiliated with a UK or Ireland institution.
  • be individual members of Europlanet or be based at an institution with an organisational Europlanet membership. Proof of Europlanet membership must be included in the application.
  • assess applications based on need, while being mindful of meeting timelines.
  • be ECRs, which Europlanet defines as anyone whose last degree was obtained no more than 7 years ago (not counting parental leave, serious illness, and similar career breaks).
  • submit no more than one application each.
  • name in their application the specific conference, meeting, or relevant event taking place in the UK or Ireland in 2025 with publicly available dates and other information.
  • submit their application at least one week before the first day of the meeting they plan to attend.
  • ensure they claim their expenses by 31st December 2025.

The Ireland & UK Hub will:

  • make individual awards of up to €250 to cover registration, travel, or accommodation costs. The total value of the fund is €1,000.
  • inform successful applicants in a timely manner by email and provide instructions on how to claim expenses.
  • act as liaison between successful applicants and Europlanet to reimburse expenses after the event has taken place.

UKPF Early Career Meeting (United Kingdom), January 9th 2026

Registration and abstract submission is now open for the 19th UK Planetary Forum Early Careers Meeting (ECM), which will be held on Friday 9th January 2026, hosted by the Centre for Planetary Sciences at UCL/Birkbeck, at the Birkbeck Clore Management Centre, in Bloomsbury, London. The UKPF ECM is designed to bring together early career researchers from across the UK for a day of networking and knowledge sharing. This event provides a supportive environment for early career scientists to present their research to peers and receive constructive feedback, offering valuable preparation for larger, international conferences. Presentations will include both talks and posters, showcasing the diversity of work taking place in planetary science. We welcome contributions from all aspects of planetary science, including but not limited to: planetary surfaces, interiors, atmospheres and magnetospheres, habitability and astrobiology, meteorites, (exo)planets and their moons.

Date: Friday 9th January 2026
Location: Birkbeck Clore Management Centre, Torrington Square, Bloomsbury, London, WC1E 7JL
Cost: Completely free!
Registration Link: UKPF ECM 2026 Registration Form
Registration deadline: Wednesday 17th December 2025.
Abstract Submission Deadline: Friday 31st October 2025 (23:59)

Abstract Submission: Please use the abstract template as a guide. Abstracts should be uploaded via the upload link in the registration form. Max. one A4 page only including figures and references. The abstract upload link will open a new tab in your browser window. ​Please ensure you return to the original form to complete your registration.

Attendees are encouraged to join in person, but virtual attendance will also be offered for those unable to travel. For enquiries regarding accessibility, registration or abstract submission, please contact ukpf-ecm-2026@ucl.ac.uk. For more information, check out the meeting page on the UKPF 2026 website.

AbGradE’25 Symposium in Lisbon (20th October): Registration deadline coming up!

Our signature event right before EANA 2025 (20th of October in Lisbon, Portugal) is just over 1 month away! That means that the deadline for registration is very soon, specifically this coming Sunday, 21st of September!

If you plan to attend, please remember to complete the registration form and pay the registration fee (20€) by midnight on Sunday (details are sent upon completion of the form).

We’ll soon be releasing the programme, which includes a special talk by ESA, so keep an eye on our event page.

We look forward to seeing you in beautiful Lisbon!

Space Factor at EANA in Lisbon, Portugal in October!

We are calling all early-career scientists to participate in the renowned Space Factor contest at The 25th European Astrobiology Network Association (EANA) conference, taking place in Lisbon, Portugal, from 21–24 October 2025, right after our AbGradE symposium.

Showcase your astrobiology research in a dynamic and creative oral presentation among your peers.

Late Master students and early PhD candidates, present your work at Space Factor in a 15-minute pitch including a creative SciComm video.

> More info about Space Factor here. <

Take the challenge and the opportunity to win prizes and be seen in a big audience of astrobiology experts!

Symposium ahead of EANA in Lisbon, Portugal in October!

Registration Open!
AbGradE will organise an adjacent event to the 25th European Astrobiology Network Association (EANA) conference. Both events will take place in person at Instituto Superior Técnico in Lisbon, Portugal, from 21–24 October 2025.

The topic is “Astrobiology: from the Field to the Labs and into Space“, the symposium will therefore encompass every field that is part of astrobiology.

If you do not want to miss this exciting opportunity to share your work, you can find the registration and more information here.

Hope to see you there!

Conference EANA in Lisbon, Portugal in October!

Registration Open!
The 25th European Astrobiology Network Association (EANA) conference will take place in person at Instituto Superior Técnico in Lisbon, Portugal, from 21–24 October 2025.

Join researchers from across Europe for keynote and contributed talks, the Space Factor contest, and poster sessions. This year’s theme is “Astrobiology: From the Field to the Labs and into Space,” but abstracts from all areas of astrobiology are welcome!

Questions? Contact: eana-conference (at) eana-net.eu

> More info here <