EAI Summer School in Iceland: Biosignatures and the Search For Life on Mars (and other planets)

18 to 26 June, 2026

The school aims to cover the subject of the search for life in different environments, both on early Earth, below Earth’s surface and on Mars. It will bring together students and researchers from a multitude of different fields. It is co-organised by the European Astrobiology Institute,  the University of Akureyri and Stockholm University. Field studies on the colonisation of lava fields and Mars analogue landscapes will complement the lectures. The programme of the summer school comprises:

  • lectures by internationally leading scientists covering a broad range of subjects in astrobiology
  • investigation of colonisation Mars analogue landscapes with in situ life detection techniques
  • excursions to geologically and astrobiologically interesting sites (lava caves, new lava fields):
    • Námaskarð geothermal area
    • Krafla volcanic area
    • the Mars analogue landscapes in Northern Iceland
    • the Myvatn area with the Skútustaðir pseudocraters and the Hverfjall cinder cone
  • a poster sessions for students and early career scientists
  • participant-led discussions

A multitude of highly merited researchers have agreed to teach at the course (see the Programme page for details. The deadline for application is 15 April 2026 23:59:00 UTC.

The school is open for students amd scientists from all countries. For further information please click here.

See you in Iceland in June!

EAI Summer School in Iceland: Biosignatures and the Search For Life on Mars (and other planets)

18 to 26 July, 2026

The school aims to cover the subject of the search for life in different environments, both on early Earth, below Earth’s surface and on Mars. It will bring together students and researchers from a multitude of different fields. It is co-organised by the European Astrobiology Institute,  the University of Akureyri and Stockholm University. Field studies on the colonisation of lava fields and Mars analogue landscapes will complement the lectures. The programme of the summer school comprises:

  • lectures by internationally leading scientists covering a broad range of subjects in astrobiology
  • investigation of colonisation Mars analogue landscapes with in situ life detection techniques
  • excursions to geologically and astrobiologically interesting sites (lava caves, new lava fields):
    • Námaskarð geothermal area
    • Krafla volcanic area
    • the Mars analogue landscapes in Northern Iceland
    • the Myvatn area with the Skútustaðir pseudocraters and the Hverfjall cinder cone
  • a poster sessions for students and early career scientists
  • participant-led discussions

A multitude of highly merited researchers have agreed to teach at the course (see the Programme page for details. The deadline for application is 15 April 2026 23:59:00 UTC.

The school is open for students amd scientists from all countries. For further information please click here.

See you in Iceland in June!

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 (…).

3rd OHP International Summer School (23-27th June 2025; Observatoire de Haute Provence, France)

Institut Origines is pleased to announce the 3rd OHP International Summer School. This exceptional event invites you to explore the frontiers of life through an interdisciplinary approach!

Program highlights: Lectures and round-table discussions featuring renowned experts in prebiotic chemistry, microbiology, exobiology, planetology, astrophysics, philosophy, and law. These sessions will be moderated by an award-winning science journalist, offering a unique opportunity to delve into the fundamental questions surrounding the origin and evolution of life.

Don’t miss this chance to discover the latest research and connect with scientists from around the world in a unique setting!

Pre-register via this link: https://institut-origines.univ-amu.fr/fr/formation/ecoles-ete

Speakers: Chantal Abergel, Mélanie Baroni, James Bradley, Jean-Michel Claverie, Magali Deleuil, Simon Duval, David Ehrenreich, Gaël Erauso, Vincent Hue, Frédéric Laurie, Dominique Leglu, Martina Preiner, Pascal Taranto, Nicolas Thouveny, and more…

Poster credit: Sarah Anderson

Summer School “Traces of Early Life” (3-13 June 2025 in Stirling, Scotland)

Are you passionate about the origins of life and the search for extraterrestrial life? Join the European Astrobiology Institute’s “Traces of Early Life” Summer School, held from 3rd to 13th June 2025, at the picturesque Stirling University in Scotland. Surrounded by the stunning landscapes of Loch Ness, Ullapool, and Durness, this unique programme offers an immersive opportunity to explore the evolution of early Earth, the origins of life, and cutting-edge methods for detecting ancient lifeforms. Engage with world-leading researchers through lectures, hands-on practical exercises, and a 5-day field excursion to geologically fascinating sites.

The school will include

  • 4 days of lectures
  • excursion to stromatolite sites and other geologically interesting locations a the stunningly beautiful North Coast of Scotland
  • practical exercises
  • poster sessions

Whether you’re a graduate student, early-career scientist, or senior researcher, this summer school provides an exciting platform to expand your knowledge and network with experts in the field. Apply now for an unforgettable experience in one of the world’s most beautiful regions!

See details >>here<<

Application deadline is 1st of March 2025!

Summer School “Dust to DNA” in Copenhagen (Denmark)

A one-week course, aimed at PhD students, that covers the journey from interstellar dust to habitable planets and the conditions for life

Interdisciplinary lectures and hands-on sessions using perspectives from astronomy, cosmochemistry, geology, and astrobiology, within the framework of exoplanet systems and the potential for life to emerge

When: 19-23 August 2024
Where: Globe Institute at the University of Copenhagen (Denmark)

Click here for more information. 

>> Registration deadline: 31st May 2024 <<

2 weeks left to complete your registration!

(Corrected) The deadline for registering for our International Astrobiology School is in 2 weeks – March 15th (12pm CET)!

Head over >> here << to register.

❗Remember❗:

  • Please be aware that the registration does not ensure the enrolment. We would love to welcome you all! Unfortunately, the venue capacity is limited… At the end of the registration timeframe, registered people will be selected as fairly as possible across career stages and disciplines to reach the maximum number of 50 participants.
  • Enrolment is only complete following payment of the registration fee (200€). The bank details for the payment will be sent to you after the selection process.

🇮🇹 We hope to see you soon! 🇮🇹

Summer School for Sample Return

This summer school, run by the Institut Origines at Aix-Marseille University and the Origins theme from the Institut de Physique du Globe de Paris, will provide a unique platform to access both basic and cutting-edge knowledge related to the study of the origin of terrestrial planets and life based on the analysis of extraterrestrial samples in Earth laboratories.

There will be a particular focus on recent and future sample return missions. This multidisciplinary summer school will address domains including cosmochemistry, astrobiology, astrophysics, planetology, and more. You will learn through lectures and practicals from our large set of world experts as well as from more informal exchanges through a series of round tables with dedicated topics.

When: 24-28 June 2023
Where: Observatoire Haute-Provence, France

Click here for more information. 

Summer school Exoplanets by the Lake II: Geoastronomy

Exoplanets by the Lake II: Geoastronomy is a focused summer school on the geosciences of exoplanets at Lake Ammer (Ammersee), July 21—26 2024.

The distinctive features of the summer school include:

  • Emphasis on in-person interaction at an attractive, self-contained venue with at most 20 participants. The number of participants is kept small in order to encourage unrestricted, interactive discussions among exoplanet scientists of all sub-disciplines and seniority.
  • The event will be held for 5.5 days (5 nights). The first 3 weekdays involve pedagogical lectures during the day. There is an optional half-day excursion, via ship on the lake. The last 2 days feature a mini-conference format, where a small number of invited experts share their views and interact with the participants. Participants have the chance to contribute short talks if desired.


The intended audience of this summer school ranges from master students to junior postdocs. Both experts and curious newcomers to the topic are welcome to attend. Senior scientists who are intending to switch research directions and/or attending as active listeners are also welcome.

>> Deadline for registering: March 31st <<

You can visit the page of the school here for more information. 

Deadline approaching for EAI’s summer school and conference in Portugal

Both taking place in Angra do Heroismo (Azores Islands, Portugal) in October, the deadline for application to the Summer school “Volcanism, Plate Tectonics, Hydrothermal vents and life” and the deadline for registration and abstract submission for the Conference “Life in the sub-surface” are on the 1st of July (in just 4 days!!)

You will be able to apply and/or register at the following links:
Summer school (11 – 21 October 2023)
Conference (25 – 27 October 2023)