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ECSL Summer Course on Space Law and Policy

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

One of ECSL’s most successful activities is the ESA/ECSL Summer Course on Space Law and Policy, which is open to students of all levels of study, as well as a few young professionals already working in space or space-related sectors. The course is now in its 32^nd year and boasts a large family of alumni around the globe.

Applications for the 2024 edition are now closed. Selected applicants will be informed in early June - students on 8 July, young professionals by 10 July . Please see below for the timeline.

The 2024 Summer Course on Space Law and Policy:

The ECSL is happy to announce that the 32nd ESA/ECSL Summer Course on Space Law and Policy will be hosted by the ECSL National Point of Contact for Greece, the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens and will follow the overarching topic of "Space and sustainability".

During the course, participants will follow a curriculum of lectures given by academics and practitioners from international and national space institutions, as well as technical experts. Topics vary from year to year but generally focus on international, regional and domestic legal and policy frameworks governing space activities and applications. The main objective of the summer course is to stimulate participants’ interest in this particular field of law and policy and to provide them with a basic solid knowledge upon which to build or enhance their professional career or carry out further academic research.

Participants have the opportunity to meet highly qualified experts, to learn from their experience and to visit the premises of companies operating in the space industry or intergovernmental bodies, as well as other entities active in the space sector.

This year’s course will focus on:

International Space Law
International Space Diplomacy
National Space Legislation
EU & ESA Space Programmes
Legal aspects of space applications
Legal regime of space resources exploration, exploitation and utilisation
Careers in the space sector
Sustainable Uses of Outer Space Activities
Export control

The course will also feature a mandatory group project. Participants will be able to apply the theoretical knowledge acquired during their lectures and present to a judges' panel on the last day of the course, 6 September 2024.

Additionally, this year, the ECSL and the National Kapodistrian University of Athens are co-organising a young scholar's conference to take place on 9 September 2024, after the summer course. A call for papers is currently open until 20 June 2024 - please see here for more information.

The course is open to 45 students and 5 young professionals 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

Selected lecture modules for the 2024 ESA/ECSL Summer Course on Space Law and Policy:

Please click here or go through the slider below for selected modules that will be covered in this year's summer course. The full programme alongside lecturers will be made available to participants after the selection.

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. Contact details for ECSL NPOCs can be found by clicking here. If you are unsure which NPOC to apply with, please consult ecsl@esa.int. Please ask your NPOC for a confirmation of receipt of your application.

Since 2024, the application consists of an electronic form which you have to fill out as well as 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.

The application forms for students can be found here: https://forms.office.com/e/tbCtWDxEZM

Application for young professionals:

If you are under the age of 35, you may apply as a young professional. Please note that all individuals not currently enrolled in an LLB or LLM equivalent degree (inter alia PhD/JD students or junior working professionals) will be considered as young professionals for the purposes of this application. In case of doubt or if you want to discuss your application, please contact ecsl@esa.int.

Persons who are pursuing additional higher education degrees after a already completed master's degree, also if working part-time are to be considered as "young professionals". Persons pursuing a PhD and working part-time are to be considered as "young professionals" and should apply within this category. Persons working full-time and pursuing a degree part-time will generally be considered "young professionals". In case of doubt or if you want to discuss your application, please contact ecsl@esa.int.

Since 2024, the application consists of an electronic form which you have to fill out as well as save your response and provide it alongside a copy of your CV (2 pages max) to ecsl@esa.int. Applications are not complete by only submitting the form.

The application form for young professionals can be found here: https://forms.office.com/e/0XVxDEbtPL

Supporting reference contact details:

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:

The ECSL will not open applications for tutors for the 2024 ESA/ECSL Summer Course as the host university is providing a team of local volunteers to support in this function. Applications for tutors will likely open again in 2025. 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.

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.

Important information:

For students who are citizens or residents of ESA Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States, there is a course fee of 200EUR, 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 ESA Member States, Associate Members or Cooperating States, there is a course fee of 600EUR. This does not include accommodation, but breakfast and lunch will be covered. Please organise your accomodation accordingly. Should you need support in choosing accommodation after being selected, a team of local tutors will try to support you (subject of availability).

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 travel insurance for the duration of the course. The insurance should cover travel/third party liability. 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 obligatory insurance.

Timeline for the 2024 ESA/ECSL Summer Course on Space Law and Policy

Roundtable Discussion during the 2015 ECSL Summer Course

27 May 2024	Applications open
23 June 2024 (23:59 CEST)	Applications close (Deadline will not be extended)
30 June 2024	Application deadline for NPOCs to confirm their pre-selection to ECSL
UPDATE early July 2024	Application results - 8 July students, 10 July young professionals
16 July 2024	Deadline for confirmation of participation, payment and travel insurance