How to apply
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This year’s Summer School is intended for postdoctoral researchers interested in exploring innovative applications of microorganisms to address environmental challenges, particularly those related to sustainability. Applicants are selected by our leading environmental microbiologists, ensuring that only the most innovative, driven, and research‑ready early‑career scientists come together for this year’s Summer School.
- Stage 1 – Applications are now open – Submit your application by 15 April 2026, 23:59 CEST
- Stage 2 – Applicant notification – All applicants will be notified of the outcome early May 2026.
- Stage 3 – Registration for successful applicants – Selected applicants will be invited to register between 6-20 May 2026.
The registration fee of €500 excl. VAT covers attendance, accommodation, catering for the full duration of the event (including dinner), and a guided city tour.
Below, you will find everything you need to know about eligibility, required application materials, and how participants are selected for this highly competitive programme.
What you will need to submit
Applicants must currently hold a postdoctoral position, or have completed a postdoc within 5 years (excluding special leave) of the end of the FEMS Summer School. During the application process, applicants will be asked to provide:
- A CV, including a list of publications
- A motivation letter (maximum 500 words)
- A summary of current and future research topics
- A letter of support from their supervisor or manager
Selection process
Applicants will be selected based on the overall strength and merit of their application. The selection committee will consider:
- Quality and originality of current and proposed research
- Demonstrated interest and ability in microbiology
- Commitment to personal and professional development
- Potential impact and value of future research directions
To ensure a rich and diverse cohort, the committee will also aim for geographical variety that reflects the FEMS membership across Europe and the diversity of the microbiology community.
How to submit your application
- Log in to your myFEMS user account. Don’t have one? Create your myFEMS user account here.
- Once logged in, select the Summer School application form from the ‘Announcements’ section.
- Fill in the form. Want to save and come back later? Just hit ‘Save’ at the bottom left corner of the form. You can return to your application later by clicking on ‘My applications’.
- Contact info@fems-microbiology.org should you encounter any issues during your application.
Open access is key to supporting the FEMS mission of disseminating high quality research as widely as possible: when high quality, peer reviewed sound science is open access, anyone, anywhere in the world with an internet connection, can read it. All but one of the not-for-profit FEMS journals are fully open access (OA), with one journal, FEMS Microbiology Letters, offering free-to-publish and OA options.
