ESP Summer School 2026

1-5 September 2026 | Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain

ESP Summer School 2026: Ecosystem services modelling and biodiversity indicators

📅 1–5 September 2026 📍 Centre for Ecological Research and Forestry Applications (CREAF), Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain

The second edition of the Rudolf de Groot ESP Summer School 2026, will provide early-career researchers with theoretical and practical training on ecosystem‑service modelling and biodiversity assessment for addressing the ECO‑RESILIENCE 360º themes of nature‑based solutions, ecosystem risks and adaptation.

Ecosystem services underpin human well‑being but are increasingly jeopardised by climate change, land‑use change and biodiversity loss. Effective management requires robust models and biodiversity indicators, yet many early‑career researchers lack training in these tools.

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This Summer School will:

Train early‑career researchers in cutting‑edge methods for modelling ecosystem services and assessing biodiversity indicators.

Foster interdisciplinarity by integrating ecological, social and economic approaches to socio‑ecological systems.

Generate a network of young scientists and senior mentors that strengthens collaboration between the Centre for Ecological Research and Forestry Applications (CREAF), the Ecosystem Services Partnership (ESP) and international partners.

Produce open‑source educational materials, a shared dataset and a synthesis report summarising methods, case studies and policy recommendations.

This Summer School is organized by the Ecosystem Services Partnership (ESP), an international network dedicated to promoting research and the practical application of ecosystem services through conferences, training, and projects.

👥 Who Should Apply?

PhD candidates, PostDocs, and early-career researchers with a background in ecology, economics, geography and/or environmental sciences. Participants will present their research and explore how value transfer can be applied to their work

📝 Important Dates:

📌 Applications open: 13 April 2026

📌 Application deadline: 15 May 2026

📌 Results announced: 05 June 2026

📌 Registration deadline: 10 July 2026

💵 Estimation of costs:

€500 (excluding flights and accommodation)

The costs include:

Venue & lectures
Morning coffee, lunch, and afternoon tea (5 days)
Dinner (1 day)
Excursion

All other expenses are the responsibility of the participants

Contact your host institution for funding opportunities.

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Output

Upon completion, participants will receive a certificate of 3 ECTS (recognition of external credits to be determined by your home institution). In addition, there will be the opportunity to contribute to the joint journal paper that will be submitted to Ecosystem Services.

Speakers and Program

Coming soon

Eligibility

The Rudolf de Groot ESP Summer School 2026 is open to PhD candidates, PostDocs and early career researchers, with a background in ecology, environment, geography, economics, etc., and with an interest in the economic valuation of natural capital and ecosystem services. English proficiency is required and knowledge about ecosystem services and GIS software is desirable. All participants are asked to present their current research and indicate how they expect to use the knowledge obtained in the summer school in their research. The summer school will take place from 1 to 5 September 2026 at CREAF, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain. Participants are expected to bring their own laptops, with text (e.g. MS-Word), presentation (e.g. MS-PowerPoint), spreadsheet (e.g. MS-Excel) and GIS (e.g. QGIS) software installed for the practical exercises. The summer school has a limit of 25-30 participants.

The application will be open between 13 April and 15 May.