Applications are now open for the Future Earth Research School (FERS) winter school on “Coastal Resilience to Sea Level Rise”, taking place from November 24 to December 19, 2025. This innovative course, coordinated by CMCC in collaboration with the Decade Collaborative Centre for Coastal Resilience (DCC-CR) and the supercomputing center CINECA, will provide participants with comprehensive knowledge of sea level rise impacts and effective adaptation strategies for coastal communities.

Sea level rise represents one of the most pressing challenges facing coastal communities, ecosystems, and infrastructure worldwide. The “Coastal Resilience to Sea Level Rise“ course addresses this critical issue through an interdisciplinary approach, covering the physical processes driving sea level rise, vulnerability assessments, risk management strategies, and adaptation planning.

The course’s hybrid approach features both online and in person learning. The first phase runs from November 24 to December 5, 2025, delivering online content through the Ocean Teacher Global Academy (OTGA) platform. Then, after a week-long break, participants will gather in person at the University Residential Center of Bertinoro from December 15-19, 2025, for lectures, group discussions, and hands-on activities.

Participants will explore both nature-based and technology-based solutions, from coastal defense infrastructure to managed retreat and innovative urban design with the curriculum emphasizing practical applications, including flood modeling, vulnerability mapping, and the use of cutting-edge data and tools for decision-making.

Key learning outcomes include understanding the physical processes driving sea level rise risks, assessing regional vulnerabilities, performing data analysis using remote sensing and open-access datasets, and developing comprehensive adaptation strategies. Special attention will also be given to governance challenges and effective communication of sea level risks to diverse stakeholders.

The course is directed by three internationally recognized experts in coastal resilience and oceanography. Begoña Pérez Gómez, a physical oceanographer at Puertos del Estado with over 30 years of experience in operational oceanography, chairs the Global Sea Level Observing System (GLOSS) Group of Experts. Giulia Galluccio serves as Director of the Future Earth Research School and CMCC’s Advanced Training and Education Center, while Vassiliki H. Kourafalou is a Research Professor at the University of Miami’s Rosenstiel School specializing in coastal dynamics.

Application details and support

The application deadline is October 26, 2025, with the call for applications having opened on September 29. The school is primarily designed for PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, and young professionals with 1-5 years of experience in environmental science, marine biology, coastal engineering, urban planning, or related disciplines.

Financial assistance is available to cover accommodation costs at the Bertinoro Center, though travel costs are not included. Interested applicants can specify their need for financial support in the application form, providing a statement of up to 200 words explaining their circumstances.

This initiative represents another milestone for the FERS, CMCC’s permanent initiative designed to provide high-level scientific courses for early-career researchers. FERS creates a stimulating international environment where participants collaborate with renowned experts to address global environmental challenges.

Applications can be submitted through the Ocean Teacher Global Academy platform, with more information available here.