IIASA 2026 Young Scientists Summer Program (YSSP)

The International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) invites applications for the 2026 Young Scientists Summer Program (YSSP) that will run on-site from 1 June to 28 August 2026. It is designed for advanced PhD students – ideally about two years prior to completing their PhD – working on a topic that is compatible with ongoing research at IIASA and who wish to explore the policy implications of their work.

YSSP is a three month (June-August), full-time program taking place at IIASA in Laxenburg, Austria. During this time, it is expected that you fully commit to the program. Following the three months on site, you have one additional month to finalize your YSSP report.

If you are an advanced PhD student, check if your topic is compatible with ongoing IIASA research. You will need to submit a research proposal for the project that you will work on while at IIASA. The proposal includes the following elements: abstract, research questions, methods, data requirements, innovative aspects, and expected results. Please read the YSSP 2026 Application Guide, to know which information you will need to provide in the Onlyfy application portal.

Familiarize yourself with IIASA research programs to figure out which IIASA program/research group best fits your PhD topic to better identify which one best suits your PhD topic. It is recommended that applicants identify the group(s) most aligned with their PhD research area and contact the respective IIASA program representative researchers well in advance of the submission deadline to express their interest and discuss their research ideas. This proactive approach is advised, as collaboration with one or more IIASA programs will be integral during the YSSP.

You will find the list of programs with their corresponding research groups including Energy, Climate and Environment (ECE) and all other necessary information on the website of the YSSP.

• Application deadline: 12 January 2026.