Overview

ESPI’s Space Policy Summer School is an annual space policy training programme, for which the main objectives are to:

• Provide detailed, impactful training on space policy and strategy.
• Nurture an interest in the space sector for young and established professionals.
• Raise awareness of the importance of space in addressing wider societal issues.
• Facilitate a connection/networking point between space and non-space sector professionals.

Summer School 2026

The European Space Policy Institute’s (ESPI) Space Policy Summer School 2026 returns once again to the beautiful and historic city of Florence from 2-4 September 2026. Organised as an Executive Summer School in collaboration with the Florence School of Regulation’s Robert Schuman Centre for Advanced Studies of the European University Institute (EUI), this year’s programme will convene under the theme “Space beyond space: the impact of space integration across sectors”. The programme will explore the systemic integration of space across key areas of the economy and public policy, with particular emphasis on three domains: space for energy and infrastructure, space for digital transformation and governmental services, and space for natural resource management. Participants will also be encouraged to draw connections with their own professional backgrounds and to examine how space-based capabilities can foster innovation and support effective policy solutions across diverse sectors. 

Objectives

The objectives of the 2026 Summer School are to:

• provide a detailed overview of the current picture of space policy and strategy, including the foundations, assets and policy impact of space, space economy, and an overview of European and global space policy.
• highlight the importance of space in addressing broader societal challenges.
• facilitate a connection point between space and non-space sector professionals.
• provide an open space for experts to connect with other like-minded professionals, share perspectives, and learn from the experiences of other domains.

Format

The format will be highly interactive, consisting of seminars, use-cases, interactive content exchanges, and group exercises, chaired by lecturers from ESPI and EUI, including ESPI Director H. Ludwig Moeller, and EUI Professor, Leonardo Meeus. The course will also welcome several guest lecturers and speakers from the space, policy, and space policy spheres.

The summer school will take place from 9:00 – 17:30 CET on the first two days, and conclude at 15:00 CET on the final day.

Eligibility and selection criteria

The School is intended for the following profiles:

• parliamentarians and civil servants.
• professionals working in industry.
• staff of international organisations and diplomats.
• researchers and members of think tanks.
• consultants.

Five spots will also be made available for graduate and post-graduate students.

Preference will be given to applicants not from the space industry with one of two backgrounds:

• a STEM background, hoping to gain knowledge about space policy.
• a background in policy, international relations, or a related field, hoping to gain knowledge of the space ecosystem.

In the case of graduate students, preference will be given to candidates who have demonstrated potential for future excellence in the policy sphere, and who have communicated clearly how they will benefit from participation in the Summer School.

Registrations for the 2026 Space Policy Summer School are now open!

Fees

The fee covers participation in the training, coffee breaks, lunches, and any meals or social activities outlined in the event programme. Travel and accommodation costs are not included.

General fee: 2,500 EUR
Students and public authorities fee: 100 EUR

Register from now until 10 May to enjoy a 10% early bird discount.

Due to room capacity only a limited number of participants will be admitted. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and successful candidates will be notified as soon as possible. All notifications will be sent by the end of June at the latest*. Please note that your place in the course will only be confirmed once the course and/or registration fee has been paid.

*students applying for the ESA Academy scholarship will receive notification in early July. 

Download the detailed programme and register here.

Scholarships

ESA Academy Office is pleased to sponsor up to 3 tertiary education students to attend Space Policy Summer School 2026 in the frame of the ESA Academy Short Course Scholarship programme. The scholarship will covers:

• the student registration fees (directly paid by ESA Education Office);
• up to EUR 350 for travel;
• up to EUR 300 for accommodation (up to 4 nights).

Reimbursements will be made via a single bank transfer after the course, upon submission of receipts.

To be eligible for an ESA Academy Short Course Scholarship, students must fulfil the following criteria at the time of application:

• be minimum 18 years old at the time of the short course;
• be a citizen of an ESA Member State, Associate Member, or Canada;
• be enrolled as a PhD student in a tertiary education academic programme (not graduating before the short course);
• not be able to attend the course through their academic programme;
• not benefit from an overlapping financial support to attend this short course, unless duly justified;
• attend the entire short course;
• agree with the conditions of the ESA Academy’s Privacy Policy.
• Priority will be given to students who have less than 2 years of professional experience and have never taken part in an activity sponsored by the ESA Education Office.

The deadline for applications is 7 June 2026 at 23:59 CEST.

The decision by the Selection Committee will be communicated by 6 July 2026.

ESA is committed to achieving diversity and creating an inclusive environment. To this end, applications from all eligible candidates irrespective of gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, beliefs, age, disability, social origin, or other characteristics are welcome.

Contact and more information

For more information about the Summer School, please contact:

• ESPI Education Officer Gillian Chin at <Gillian.Chin@espi.eu>

Course directors and speakers

Past Summer Schools

To read more about our past iterations of ESPI’s Space Policy Summer School, click here. 

• 2025 – Florence, Italy 
• 2024 – Tyrol, Austria