Registrations open for São Paulo School of Advanced Science in Microplastics

The São Paulo School of Advanced Science in Microplastics will be held on September 1-11, 2026, at the Institute of Chemistry of the State University of Campinas (IQ-UNICAMP) in São Paulo state, Brazil.

The SPSAS on Microplastics is an intensive and interdisciplinary theoretical-practical course, designed to help students tackle plastic pollution, particularly microplastics, its most pervasive facet and one of today’s most urgent environmental challenges.

Microplastics are complex materials made mainly of a polymer embedded with a diverse mixture of chemicals coming from the intended formulation of the plastic product it once was, the weathering reactions, and the pollutants the microplastic met along its journey. This complex fragment has an extraordinary transport potential through air, water, and soil, and a variety of chemical and physical ways of interacting with its surroundings.

The School is also focused in training young scientists to be relevant actors on the matter, supporting governmental and diplomatic efforts against plastic pollution, which will be particularly relevant within the context of the Global Plastic Pollution Treaty – once implemented, the treaty will be strategic for the environment, health, trade, and the bioeconomy.

The program covers the science of micro- and nanoplastics, addressing the microplastic complexities by dividing the problem into four frameworks:

• Inside the microplastic: dealing with the polymer and chemicals added to or coming from the plastic;

• On the microplastic: exploring what happens on the surface of microplastics;

• Around the microplastic: discussing the interaction dynamics with the several media where the microplastics are;

• Regulatory framework: the public debate and the viable actions stemming from evidence-based science toward regulatory policy.

The discussions at the School will benefit greatly from the participation of internationally renowned researchers as keynote speakers, such as Scott Coffin, from the California Office of Environmental Health Hazard Assessment (OEHHA); Theodore B. Henry, School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure, and Society, at Heriot-Watt University (Scotland); Natalia P. Ivleva, Raman & SEM Group at the Institute of Hydrochemistry, Technical University of Munich (TUM); Cristina Nerin, University of Zaragoza, director of the GUIA (University Group for Analytical Research) research group; Martin Wagner, Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU) in Trondheim; Amy L. Lusher, Senior Research Scientist at Norsk Institutt for Vannforskning (NIVA); and Peter Kershaw, Joint Group of Experts on the Scientific Aspects of Marine Environmental Protection (GESAMP), an independent advisory body  for the UN system.

Registrations

The primary target audience includes master’s, doctoral, postdoctoral students, and early-career scientists with training in a wide range of disciplines related to microplastics. The School will offer 100 vacancies (50% for Brazilians and 50% for foreigners), with affirmative actions (at least half will be for women and 25% for ethnic minorities).

Interested parties must apply by April 10, 2026 (via the event’s website https://microplasticschool.iqm.unicamp.br/) by submitting their CV, a project abstract, a motivation letter and one letter of recommendation. The application process for the School is based on merit and alignment with the School’s focus, which will be considered along with a fair distribution regarding gender, ethnicity and geographical origin.

Reporters are invited to register for the scientific sessions and short courses, which will present state-of-the-art science and the results of new research.

Costs

The São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) is supporting the event through its São Paulo School of Advanced Science Program (SPSAS http://espca.fapesp.br/home).

Travel, accommodation, food and travel insurance (for foreign participants) of selected students will be financed by FAPESP. Selected students will receive a daily allowance intended to cover expenses related to accommodation, meals, and local transportation. Lodging arrangements must be made directly by the participants, and a list of nearby hotels will be provided by the event’s organizers to assist with travel planning.

About FAPESP

The São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP) is a public institution with the mission of supporting scientific research in all fields of knowledge by awarding scholarships, fellowships and grants to investigators linked with higher education and research institutions in the state of São Paulo, Brazil. FAPESP is aware that the very best research can only be done by working with the best researchers internationally. Therefore, it has established partnerships with funding agencies, higher education, private companies, and research organizations in other countries known for the quality of their research and has been encouraging scientists funded by its grants to further develop their international collaboration.