Applications are open from 22 June 2026 to 27 November 2026. To process your application, you must complete the online form in the application page, following the guidelines provided.

Applicants can range from young scientists beginning their careers in the field of astrocytes to senior scientists wishing to refresh their glial background.

Participation is limited to 35 slots. Applicants will be selected on the basis of their scientific background and relevance of the course in their current research.

The participation fee is 1550 EUR. This amount covers:

• Tuition fee and accompanying materials.
• Lodging at the school venue for 6 nights (from 11–17 April 2027), including breakfast. Students will be assigned to single rooms.
• Full board, from Sunday evening 11 April to Saturday morning 17 April. This covers all normal meals and coffee break refreshments (including the welcome dinner on Sunday, the social dinner on Wednesday, and the farewell dinner on Friday).
• A half-day trip to Ravenna (including transportation and guided tours).

In addition, the Organisers will provide bus services on the arrival and departure days, between Forlì train station (and/or Bologna airport) and the School venue, trying to cover as many students as possible. This is a courtesy service and individual transportation cannot be guaranteed.

Each year, depending on the level of support received and overall budgetary constraints, the International Astrocyte School offers a limited number of fee-reduction awards. These awards are primarily aimed at candidates working in countries defined as “developing economies” by the United Nations (see UNCTAD’s latest classification here), as well as at candidates working in countries geographically distant from the School venue. In addition, a maximum of one successful candidate working in a country classified as a “Least Developed Country” (LDC) may be granted a full waiver of the participation fee (see the current list of LDCs).

Awards are applied as reductions of the participation fee and do not constitute cash payments. With the exception of the LDC provision described above, all participants are required to pay at least a portion of the standard participation fee.

Formal applications for support should be made only by selected candidates; i.e., only after acceptance to the School has been confirmed. Participants working within Europe are strongly encouraged not to apply, as the limited available support is intended primarily for participants from developing and geographically distant regions.

As places at the School are highly competitive, applicants should submit an application only if they have a realistic prospect of attending should they be selected. Except for the limited fee-reduction awards described above, the School is generally unable to provide financial assistance for travel, accommodation, visa, or other participation-related expenses.

To complement the intensive scientific programme, a half-day has been set aside for cultural activities. Participants will visit the historic city of Ravenna, home to eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites and celebrated worldwide for its remarkable early Christian and Byzantine mosaics. Guided visits will introduce participants to some of the city’s most important artistic and historical treasures.

The excursion will conclude with a dinner featuring local specialities from Ravenna and the Emilia–Romagna region, providing a relaxed setting for informal discussions and social interaction before returning to Bertinoro.