We are delighted to announce that LUCES COST Action will co-organize the next edition of the 3rd International Supramolecular Chemistry Summer School in Santa Margherita di Pula (Cagliari, Sardinia, Italy).

This Training School offers PhD students and early-career postdoctoral researchers the opportunity to explore the multidisciplinary aspects of supramolecular chemistry through lectures, discussions, and networking activities.

General information

Dates: 24-29 May 2026

Venue: Hotel Flamingo Resort (https://www.hotelflamingo.it).

Organizing Committee: Claudia Caltagirone, Giacomo Picci, Alessandra Garau, Riccardo Montis, Luca Conti, Marta da Pian, Mélanie Vander Geeten

Scientific Committee: Philip A. Gale, Jonathan W. Steed, Antonella Dalla Cort, Pablo Ballester, Kate Jolliffe, Jochen Niemeyer, Agnieszka Szumma, João Calros Lima, Francesca d’Anna, Luca Prodi, Kristin Bartik, Laura Rodríguez

Final program: here

Key Dates

• 28 February 2026
  • Deadline for registration and abstract submission for eligible young researchers requesting financial support from LUCES
  • Deadline to benefit from conference accommodation rates
• 12 April 2026
  • Early bird registration (without LUCES financial support)
  • Deadline to pay the early bird fees
• 27 April 2026
  • Abstract submission (without LUCES financial support)

COST Funding Opportunities

Up to 30 young researchers (PhD students and postdocs) may receive financial support from the LUCES COST Action.

Eligibility criteria:

• Being a WG member of LUCES, or having a direct supervisor who is a WG member of LUCES. The supervisor’s name must be provided on the registration form.
• Registering and submitting an abstract for a poster by 28 February 2026:
  • o Registration must be completed via the official Summer School webpage: https://convegni.unica.it/iscsummerschool2026/registration/
  • o Abstract (using the provided template) and support letter from your supervisor must be sent to info@lucescostaction.com – please indicate in email subject: Abstract Training School 2026.

Selection Criteria:

The Committee will select applicants based on COST principles of excellence and inclusiveness, considering geographical diversity, ITC representation and gender balance.

Priority will be given to applicants who have not previously received support for a LUCES Training School.

Notification:

Eligibility for funding will be communicated by mid-March 2026.

If you have not obtained funding and your participation was conditional upon it, you may cancel your registration at that time.

Funding Details:

• Reimbursement of long-distance travel expenses
• A Daily allowance of 160€, intended to cover at least the registration fees and the cost of a shared accommodation (special rates negotiated at the meeting venue – book early to benefit: https://convegni.unica.it/iscsummerschool2026/accomodation/)

Please note:

– You must pay the registration fees like a regular participant. (You can wait until you have received the result of the funding application.)

– Depending on personal choices (accommodation, means of local transports…), the allowance may not cover all expenses.

– Reimbursement will be processed after the event, provided that all receipts are submitted.

– Read carefully the Rules and Instructions to request travel reimbursement.