The Baltic University Programme (BUP) summer school "Science and Sail 2026" with a focus on the Baltic Sea environment and coastal development will take place from 2-9 August 2026 in Klaipėda, Lithuania, with a two-day excursion to Liepāja, Latvia. Accepted students and PhD students will be studying the sensitive Baltic Sea Environment, both on land and at sea, with leading experts from across the region.
One day of the summer school will take place on board Klaipeda University’s sailing vessel Brabander, sailing from Klaipėda to Liepāja, while conducting tests and collecting samples. Participants will also study the unique coastal environment of the Curonian Spit and visit the Sventoji settlement and Seaside Regional Park, learning about the impacts and solutions to climate change, biodiversity loss and the human aspects of the unique Baltic Sea Environment. The excursions are accompanied by relevant lectures and seminars.
Science and Sail is the result of a cooperation between the BUP Coordinating Secretariat, Klaipeda University and Riga Technical University (Campus Liepāja). The summer school is the second of three events connected to the Swedish Institute-financed project 'CoMaDe - Coastal and Marine Development through Collaboration and Interdisciplinary Learning'. The project aims to foster connections among students across the region and deepen their understanding of sustainability challenges along the Baltic Sea coastline.
A key part of the summer school is the creative case studies that accepted students will conduct in small groups under the supervision of PhD students. In the weeks before the summer school, students are expected to prepare questions and outline their case study plans. During the event, each group will collect data, consult experts, study key indicators, and learn to draw conclusions to better understand coastal development in the Baltic Sea. On the final day, the students will present their findings to their peers. After the successful completion of the summer school, each participant will be offered 3 ECTS from Klaipeda University.
Target group
Applications are open for students studying at either bachelor's or master's level at The Baltic University Programme’s participating universities (e.g. University of Rostock). Up to 35 students will be selected to take part.
Furthermore, we will welcome up to 6 PhD students. The PhD students will have a unique opportunity to take part in the full program, along with the students, while also practicing their teaching and mentoring skills. The attending PhD student will be supporting students in contextualizing the work, especially leading the groups during the case study conduction.
We accept students from all kinds of study programs and no prior knowledge of the Baltic Sea Environment is required.
Please notice that there is a separate link for PhD candidates to apply.
- The application deadline is 4 May 2026, 23:59 (CET).
- Application form to attend the BUP Science and Sail – Students: https://doit.medfarm.uu.se/bin/kurt3/kurt/8903852
- Application form to attend the BUP Science and Sail - PhD Students: https://doit.medfarm.uu.se/bin/kurt3/kurt/8903865
- Event page for the BUP Science and Sail: https://www.uu.se/en/collaboration-innovation/the-baltic-university-programme/events-and-announcements/bup-science-and-sail-2026