Summer School on Space Policy
Space is no longer optional for societies. It is deeply embedded in the systems that run our economies, secure our nations, and shape our daily lives. What is new is the speed and scale of this integration. Space technologies are now woven into every sector at an unprecedented pace, creating impacts that ripple across infrastructure, governance, and commerce. The economic impact? It is no longer measured it in billions, but trillions. And the transformation has only just begun.
To delve deeper into these interconnections, the Florence School of Regulation, in collaboration with the European Space Policy Institute (ESPI), is co-organising a Summer School on Space Policy, taking place at the European University Institute from 2 to 4 Sep 2026.
The summer school aims to:
- Deliver in-depth, high-impact training on space policy and strategy
- Spark interest in the space sector among both emerging and established professionals
- Highlight the relevance of space in addressing broader societal challenges
- Create a networking bridge between professionals from the space and non-space sectors
Convened under the theme “Space Beyond Space: The Impact of Space Integration across Sectors”, this year’s programme will focus on the systemic integration of space across different segments of the economy and public policy, with particular emphasis on three key domains: space for energy and infrastructure, space for digital transformation and governmental services, and space for natural resource management. Participants will also be invited to draw connections with their own professional backgrounds and explore how space-based capabilities can support innovation and policy solutions across diverse sectors.
Register by 10 May 2026 for a 10% discount!
By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
- Describe the current landscape of space policy and strategy, including its foundations, key assets, and policy impacts at European and global levels.
- Explain the role of space in addressing broader strategic challenges across sectors.
- Analyse case studies to identify how space technologies and strategies can enhance competitiveness and drive innovation in non-space policy domains.
- Apply insights from interactive seminars to relate space sector developments to the needs and contexts of their respective fields.
- Collaborate with professionals from both space and non-space sectors to exchange perspectives and generate interdisciplinary understanding.
- Evaluate shared experiences and best practices from various domains to foster cross-sector learning and inform their own strategic thinking.
The format will be highly interactive, consisting of seminars, use-cases, interactive content exchanges, and group exercises, chaired by lecturers from ESPI and EUI, including ESPI Director H. Ludwig Moeller, and FSR Director Leonardo Meeus. The course will also welcome several guest lecturers and speakers from the space, policy, and space policy spheres.
The summer school will take place from 9:00 – 17:30 CET on the first two days, and conclude at 15:00 CET on the final day.
The course is intended for the following profiles:
- Parliamentarians and civil servants;
- Professionals working in industry;
- Staff of international organisations and diplomats;
- Researchers and members of think tanks; and
- Consultants.
Five spots will also be made available for graduate and post-graduate students.
Preference will be given to applicants with one of two backgrounds:
- A STEM space background, hoping to gain knowledge of the policy dimension.
- A non-space background in policy, international relations, or a related field, hoping to gain knowledge of the space dimension.
In the case of graduate students, preference will be given to candidates who have demonstrated potential for future excellence in the policy sphere, and who have communicated clearly how they will benefit from participation in the Summer School.
Fees
- General fee: 2,500 EUR
- Associate Donor 10%: 2.250 EUR
- Major Donor 20%: 2.000 EUR
- Star Donor 25%: 1.875 EUR
- Students and public authorities fee: 100 EUR*
*If you are a student, please provide a short motivational paragraph in the registration form
Due to room capacity only a limited number of participants will be admitted. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, and successful candidates will be notified as soon as possible. All notifications will be sent by the end of June at the latest. Please note that your place in the course will only be confirmed once the course and/or registration fee has been paid.
Discounts
Special offer for group enrolments: 10% discount from 5 participants from the same organisation.
Cancellation Policy
Paid registration fee is non-refundable. However, registrant substitution may be made up to 20 days before the course’s start date.
For more information, please read the full FSR cancellation policy.
*Please kindly send your certificate of current studies with the stamp of your university to FSR.Conferences@eui.eu
Please arrange your travel and accommodation as soon as possible as Florence is very popular in this period.
The fee covers participation in the training, coffee breaks, lunches, and any meals or social activities outlined in the event programme. Travel and accommodation costs are not included.
This is a fully residential training course, and classes will be held in Florence on 2-4 September 2026.
By submitting your application, you are committing to pay the corresponding fee.
Event venue
Sala Europa
Villa Schifanoia
Via Giovanni Boccaccio, 121
50133 Firenze (FI)
How to reach the venue
Information to reach the venue available at this link.
