As we can no longer avoid placing sustainability at the heart of materials sciences, Charles University, Heidelberg University, University of Milan and Sorbonne University are bringing together major players in this field at the 4EU+ level in order to build a new interdisciplinary training initiative.

The Sustainability-driven Innovations in Materials Science (SIMS) project will take the form of a summer school for Master’s and PhD students with the aim of highlighting the importance of including sustainability considerations in the process of innovation in materials science, since the major challenges facing our societies necessarily include climate change and, in particular, the use of the planet's finite resources. 

This research-focused summer school aims to deepen the learner’s perspectives through a large selection of themes: energy production and storage, biomaterials, functional materials… In order to ensure a high scientific level, the school will call upon renowned 4EU+ specialists in materials science with a large interdisciplinarity (Chemistry, Physics, Life Science...). Nevertheless, questions about the sustainability of materials and their link to the environmental transition cannot be confined solely to the so-called hard sciences. The SIMS summer school will therefore also involve speakers from the social sciences.

The schedule of sessions (morning and afternoon) and the location chosen for this school (Campus Pierre et Marie Curie, Paris) will encourage direct contact. All presentations will begin with a review of the basic knowledge necessary for the field in question, to enable participants from diverse backgrounds to follow the school. The speaker will then be able to build on this common knowledge to develop a more specific course.

At the end of the week, Master’s students will have gained a more thoughtful understanding of the issues surrounding environmental transition and sustainability within materials science and PhD students will have acquired new prospects for their own research.

Informations : 

The school will take place from Monday, June 8 (noon) to Friday, June 12 (noon), 2026, on the Pierre and Marie Curie campus of Sorbonne University. It is open to Master's and PhD's students, limited to availability (around 50 places). Therefore, each university will set up its own selection committee for student applications. Priority will be given to 4EU+'s students. Transportation and accommodation costs will be covered for a limited number of students from Charles University, Heidelberg University and University of Milan. Admission is free for students from 4EU+ universities. Presentations will be given in English.

Interested? Contact your local representative (see "Registration ").

Information will be posted here regularly. Stay tuned!

Dates :

From Monday June 8t^h (noon) to  Friday June 12^th (noon)

Location : 

Amphithéâtre Durand (Esclangon building) - Campus Pierre et Marie Curie, Sorbonne University

4 place Jussieu 750005 Paris 

Registration :

Open from March 1^st to April 30^th

See " Registration" for specific information depending on your university

Contact : 

sims2026@sciencesconf.org