The cosmic legacy of evolved stars
Application deadline: 30 September 2026
TOPIC
The late stages of stellar evolution stand at the frontier of modern astrophysics — a domain where extreme physics, complex chemistry, and transformative processes converge. As stars ascend the red giant and asymptotic giant branches, shed their outer layers through powerful winds, and blaze through the planetary nebula phase before fading into white dwarfs, they become pivotal engines of chemical enrichment in their host galaxies, making them essential to understanding how galaxies assemble across cosmic time. The dawn of a new observational era — defined by JWST and the Roman Space Telescope — brings both unprecedented opportunity and urgent demand for researchers deeply fluent in evolved stellar physics. Through a curriculum spanning stellar interiors and nucleosynthesis, dust formation and mass loss, and the use of evolved stars as distance indicators and population tracers, participants will develop the physical intuition and observational toolkit needed to tackle the open questions at the intersection of stellar evolution, interstellar chemistry, and galaxy formation — questions that the next decade of facilities is poised to answer.
MAIN THEMES
- Structure and evolution of low and intermediate mass stars
- Dust production by evolved stars
- Stellar populations of clusters and galaxies
- Reconstructing and understanding star formation in galaxies
- Observation of stellar population of galaxies using ground-based and space facilities
EXTRACURRICULARS
In addition to an intensive course of studies, students will participate in various excursions and social activities. The social program is still in development, but in the past students have visited cultural sites in the area around Rome, a visit to the beach, and enjoyed an audience with the Pope. Furthermore, past students have enjoyed sports and movies together, and celebrated an evening of sharing the cultural cuisine of their home countries.
WHO CAN APPLY
The school is intended for students from the final year of their undergraduate studies to the early part of their post-graduate (graduate) studies (that is, in preparation for their masters or PhD or equivalent) in astronomy-related fields.
Selection is based entirely on the background, interest, and ability of the student; the only limit is that we choose only two students from any one country. Religious faith is not part of the selection criteria. Students of all faiths are encouraged to apply.
There is no required fee to attend, and students with financial hardships can apply for support toward their travel and housing costs.
Because the wait time for visas has increased in recent years, we have moved the application deadline one month earlier than for previous schools. Please take careful note of the new deadlines:
Application deadline: 30 September 2026
Deadline for letters of recommendation: 14 October 2026
You can find more details (timetable, lectures, photos,...) here: