The Potsdam Summer School will take place for the 12th time this year from 27 September to 2 October 2026. The thematic focus will be on how the current geopolitical landscape is reshaping efforts to address critical challenges in the field of sustainability. 

With the theme - SUSTAINABILITY MEETS GEOPOLITICS - the 12th Potsdam Summer School will continue the annual transdisciplinary and interactive series of events that has been held in Potsdam, Germany, since 2014. 

Key questions are: 

• How are geopolitical interests and strategies changing global institutions and processes that aim to better manage global commons?

• How are geopolitics and growing techno-nationalism changing the transformation of energy and industrial systems?

• How are growing protectionism and the relocation of supply chains influencing sustainability efforts in areas such as agriculture and commodities, such as steel and chemicals?

• Are geopolitical interests intensifying?

• How can strategies for promoting sustainability and accelerating transformation processes towards sustainability be developed on this basis? 

The aim of the Potsdam Summer School is to bring together talented early-career scientists and young professionals professionals from many different parts of the world to discuss research questions on future sustainable developments. 

The Potsdam Summer School offers participants a unique opportunity to foster international cooperation and promote interdisciplinary exchange of ideas. 

The 2026 Potsdam Summer School is organised in partnership with the City of Potsdam, together with the Leibniz Institute for Agricultural Engineering and Bioeconomy (ATB), the Alfred Wegener Institute for Polar and Marine Research (AWI), the Research Institute for Sustainability at the GFZ (RIFS) and the University of Potsdam.

The call for applications has been open since 15 January 2026. The deadline for applications is 31 March 2026, at 23:59 UTC. 

The organisers are planning a one-week programme for all participants and speakers on site in Potsdam. The entire programme will be conducted in English.

Click here to visit the official website of the Potsdam Summer School.

For further information, please contact angela.borowski(at)rifs-potsdam.de.