International Space Weather Camp 2026 – apply now!
ESA/A. Baker (CC BY-SA 3.0 IGO)
- The International Space Weather Camp (ISWC) 2026 will take place from 5 July to 2 August 2026.
- The camp is open to students enrolled in Bachelor's, Master's or diploma degree programmes in mathematics, physics, computer science or engineering.
- The four-week programme offers students insights into space weather research.
- Focus: Space weather, space, the Sun
For the International Space Weather Camp (ISWC) 2026, which will run from 5 July to 2 August 2026, the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR) and the University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) are seeking students enrolled in Bachelor's, Master's or diploma degree programmes in mathematics, physics, computer science or engineering.
Programme structure
As part of the four-week programme, 16 students – eight from Germany and eight from the United States – will have the opportunity to delve into the latest space weather research. From 5 to 18 July 2026, students will be hosted at the University of Alabama in Huntsville, USA, where they will be introduced to the theoretical foundations of fundamental plasma processes, such as those occurring in the solar wind. The final weeks of the programme (19 July to 2 August 2026) will take place at DLR's site in Neustrelitz, northern Germany, with the focus turning to Earth's near-space environment and the influence of space weather on navigation systems and other technologies.
Content
During the programme, researchers from various scientific fields will present both the theoretical fundamentals and the findings of their latest research. In addition, under the professional guidance of staff from participating institutes, students will work in small teams on various projects covering topics such as numerical data analysis and the practical construction of satellite receivers.
Alongside the camp's academic activities, excursions are planned. In the United States, for example, participants will visit the Kennedy Space Center, gaining fascinating insights into spaceflight – from the Apollo and Space Shuttle programmes to today's launches of privately operated crewed rockets. In Germany, students will visit the Wendelstein 7-X experimental facility in Greifswald, where the properties of a 'stellarator' type fusion reactor are being tested.
How to apply
The application deadline for interested students is 8 March 2026. In addition to strong academic performance, good English skills are required. To apply, please email the following documents (in PDF format) to dsl.nz.event[at]DLR.de:
- CV (including photo)
- Certificates:
- Most recent degree certificate (Abitur/A-levels/International Baccalaureate, Bachelor's or Master's)
- Current transcript of grades
- Letter of recommendation (in English or German)
- Cover letter (in English, max. 500 words) that outlines:
- How do your own studies/interests relate to the topic?
- How can the ISWC support your academic career and help you achieve your goals?
- Any other information that you consider relevant may be included.
All data collated in this context will be handled in accordance with DLR guidelines.