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ECSL Summer Course on Space Law and Policy

08/05/2026 118354 views 69 likes

ESA / About Us / ECSL - European Centre for Space Law

One of the ECSL’s most prominent activities is the ECSL Summer Course on Space Law and Policy, welcoming students at all academic levels as well as select young professionals currently active in the space or related sectors. Now in its 34th year, the course has built a vast global network of alumni.

Please find below information about the 2026 edition. Applications are now opened until 7 June 2026 23.59 CET. More details on the programme and the procedure for application can be found below and in related articles.

The 2026 Summer Course on Space Law and Policy

University of Ljubljana - Faculty of Law

The ECSL is pleased to announce that the 34th ECSL Summer Course on Space Law and Policy will be hosted by the ECSL National Point of Contact for Slovenia, the Faculty of law of the University of Ljubljana. The course will take place from 31 August to 11 September 2026.

Throughout the course, participants will attend lectures delivered by academics, practitioners from international and national space organisations, and technical experts. The curriculum will cover international, regional and national legal and policy frameworks governing space activities and their applications. The main objective of the summer course will be to spark participants’ interest in this specialised field and to provide them with a solid foundation for their future professional careers or further academic research.

Participants will have the opportunity to meet highly qualified experts, learn from their experience, and visit the premises of companies active in the space sector, intergovernmental organisations and other relevant entities.

The 2026 course will focus on:

International Space Law
Diplomatic Space Governance
National Space Legislation
Space sustainability and security
EU and ESA space programmes
Private and contract space law
The legal regime of space resources exploration, exploitation and utilisation and lunar activities
Careers in the space sector
Military uses of outer space
Export control
Future legal aspects of space activities

The course will also include a mandatory group project. Participants will apply the theoretical knowledge acquired during the lectures and will present their work to a panel of judges. In addition, they will be supported by a team of tutors, experts in space law, who will be available to support them throughout the preparation of the group project.

What are the eligibility criterias for applying to the Course?

The course is open to 45 students, 5 young professionals and 6 tutors from ESA Member States, Associate Members and Cooperating States. For more information on the application process, please see below.

Applications from citizens or residents of ESA Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States will have priority over those residing outside. A demonstrable interest in space law and policy and a strong academic background is an asset. There are no fixed criteria concerning the particular professional background of individual applicants and each application will be considered on his merits.

Please note that the course is generally not open to working professionals over the age of 35. ESA and ECSL have a dedicated high-quality and tailor-made course for working professionals and government representatives - please find more information below:

https://www.esa.int/About_Us/ECSL_European_Centre_for_Space_Law/ECSL_Executive_Course_on_Space_Law_and_Regulations

How do I apply?

Applications for the 2026 are now opened until 7 June 2026 23.59 CET:

Application for students

If you are under the age of 35 and without having completed a final level of education with a higher level degree (Masters, LLM. etc.), you may apply as a student participant. For persons currently enrolled in a second masters degree, even if having completed a first masters degree, but not fully working or pursuing a PhD, the category of "student" still applies. Please therefore follow this category when submitting your application.

Students can only apply through their National Point of Contact (NPoC) in the country where they study OR where they are citizens OR reside. If several NPoCs are available in your case, you can freely choose and apply to only ONE NPoC. If you are still unsure which NPoC to apply to, please consult ecsl@esa.int. Please ask your NPoC for a confirmation of receipt of your application. Contact details for ECSL NPoCs can be found by clicking here.

The application consists of an electronic form which you have to fill out and save your response and provide it alongside a copy of your CV (2 pages max) to your respective NPoC as outlined above. Applications are not complete by only submitting the form.

Your respective NPOCs will conduct a pre-selection procedure before ECSL conducts the final selection of candidates.

If no NPoC is set up in your country of study, residence or citizenship, then apply directly to ecsl@esa.int.

ESA/ECSL Summer Course 2026 - Application for University Students – Fill out form

Application for young professionals

If you are under the age of 35, and not currently enrolled in an LLB or Masters or LLM or any equivalent program, you may apply as a young professional participant.

This also applies to those pursuing a PhD whether working part-time, full-time or not.

The application consists of an electronic form which you have to fill out and provide a copy of your CV (2 pages max) to ecsl@esa.int. Applications are not complete by only submitting the form.

ESA/ECSL Summer Course 2026 - Application for Young Professionals – Fill out form

Supporting reference contact details (for both students and young professionals)

The purpose of the supporting reference in the application form is to verify the application in case of doubt. The supporting reference does not need to additionally write you a letter of recommendation. Supporting references can be professors or employers (current or former). You may also ask your respective NPoC to act as supporting reference.

Application for tutors

As a tutor you will have the chance to interact and engage with other young space enthusiasts, as well as some of the most prominent people in the field. You will gain tutoring experience and a chance to learn from all the lectures as well as provide logistics support during the duration of the course.

Tutors are usually selected from previous years' Summer Course students, as they are familiar with the structure of the summer course and have experience of preparing and presenting a group project. This is by no means a requirement and we encourage all applicants.

The application consists of an electronic form which you have to fill out and provide a copy of your CV (2 pages max) to ecsl@esa.int. Applications are not complete by only submitting the form.

ESA/ECSL Summer Course 2026 - Application for Tutors – Fill out form

Fees, Transportation and Accommodation information

For students who are citizens or residents of ESA Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States, there is a course fee of 200 EUR, which will contribute to the accommodation organised and covered by ECSL. Students will receive accommodation covered, as well as breakfast and lunches.

For young professionals who are citizens or residents of ESA Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States, there is a course fee of 600 EUR. This does not include accommodation, but lunches will be covered. Please organise your accommodation accordingly.

Both students and young professionals are expected to organise and pay for their own transport to and from the course, and are obliged to have a health and travel insurance for the duration of the course:

The health insurance can be the one covering you during the rest of the year, if you benefit from one and if it covers health risks in Europe. If not, participants are advised to obtain an E111 Form in their home countries or any other form needed to ensure medical coverage in Europe.
The travel insurance should cover for instance trip cancellation, medical emergencies, lost luggage, or travel delays.
Participants are also expected to cover some local transportation costs at the in-person location, as well as living costs, although some additional transportation and meals may also be covered by the ECSL or local partners.

Tutors receive the accommodation and transport free of charge, but are still required to pay for their insurance.

Timeline for the 2026 ECSL Summer Course on Space Law and Policy application process

8 May 2026	Applications opened
7 June 2026 (23:59 CET)	Applications closed
14 June 2026	Application deadline for NPoCs to confirm their pre-selection to ECSL
Early July 2026	Application results
10 July 2026	Deadline for confirmation of participation and payment