Since the late 1970s, scientists have initiated discussions on neutrino astronomy experiments and put forward the proposal to construct DUMAND experiment. The 2002 Nobel Prize in Physics was jointly awarded in half to Raymond Davis Jr. and Masatoshi Koshiba "for their pioneering contributions to astrophysics, especially for the detection of cosmic neutrinos." In 2013, high - energy neutrinos from outside the solar system were detected for the first time in the IceCube experiment, which marked the beginning of a new era in high-energy neutrino astronomy.
Over the past half - century, remarkable progress has been achieved in neutrino astronomy experiments. Presently, a dynamic global research community has emerged, accompanied by an increasing interest from students and young scientists across the globe.
The advancement of this frontier requires international cooperation, state-of-the-art technologies, and the continuous efforts of successive generations of researchers. To promote knowledge exchange and expedite progress in neutrino astronomy, we are privileged to announce the inauguration of the China - Europe Neutrino Astronomy Summer School (CENA2026) in China.
CENA2026 is intended to assemble outstanding graduate students and early - career scientists from China and Europe to explore the latest advancements in neutrino physics and astrophysics. Participants will have the opportunity to learn directly from leading experts engaged in major global neutrino projects. The program provides intensive training in experimental techniques, data analysis, and scientific collaboration, while also facilitating students in establishing a long - lasting professional network for their future careers.
Owing to landmark achievements such as the PeV gamma - ray sources discovered by the Large High Altitude Air Shower Observatory (LHAASO) and similar experiments, as well as the successful deployment of large - scale underwater and ice - based detectors like KM3NeT, IceCube, and Baikal - GVD, we are now on the verge of a new era in high - energy astrophysics.
In this context, the Institute of High Energy Physics (IHEP) of the Chinese Academy of Sciences has proposed the High - energy Underwater Neutrino Telescope in Lake Baikal(Baikal-HUNT) — a next - generation underwater observatory with an effective volume of approximately 30 km³ or larger, designed for high - sensitivity observations of neutrino point sources in the Milky Way.
Scientific Program & Lectures
The summer school will span 10 days in Chengdu, the R&D base of the Baikal-HUNT project, offering in-depth technical exchanges and on-site visits to gain hands-on insight into the development of next generation neutrino detector.
And as the capital of Sichuan Province, Chengdu is a charming city celebrated for giant pandas, delicious Sichuan cuisine and a leisurely lifestyle. The Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding lets visitors meet adorable pandas. Famous local food including spicy hotpot and mapo tofu brings unique numbing and spicy tastes. Locals love slow days: drinking tea in traditional teahouses and enjoying Sichuan opera. With a gentle pace, rich culture and friendly residents, Chengdu is an ideal place to experience authentic western China.
In addition, we will arrange a visit to the LHAASO site from the 22nd to the 23rd. Visitors shall cover their own airfare and accommodation expenses.
Course Design
Courses will cover a wide range of modern topics in neutrino physics, particle physics, and related interdisciplinary fields, bringing together frontier theories and experimental progress to provide participants with a comprehensive academic perspective.
- Neutrino physics and detection principles
- IceCube, KM3NeT, Baikal-GVD: experiments and results
- Baikal-HUNT telescope and LHAASO science
- Underwater/ice detector techniques & technologies
- Neutrino event analysis and cosmic messengers
- China–Europe collaboration and future plans
Invited distinguished Lecturers
- Albrecht Karl
- Antonio Capone
- Grigory Safronov
- Alexander Avrorin
- Shun Zhou
- Xiangyu Wang
- Ruoyu Liu
- Songzhan Chen
- Waraporn Nuntiyakul
Program Structure
- Morning Sessions: Courses led by renowned and experienced professionals
- Afternoon Sessions: Expert Courses, Discussions, students presentations, and hand-on activities
- Special group activity: Badminton will be arranged for everyone prior to dinner each day. Table tennis is also available. And there is a dedicated cycling track stretching nearly 40 kms nearby, which you are also welcome to try.
Application Details
- Application Deadline: July 31, 2026
- Course Dates: September 14–23, 2026. And the coursework will conclude on the afternoon of the 21st. Those who do not attend the LHAASO site visit are allowed to depart any time after the afternoon of the 21st.
- Eligibility: Graduate/PhD students and early-career professionals with a keen interest in neutrino astronomy
- Participants: Approximately 15 selected international students from overseas, and around 15 selected students from China.
Selection Criteria
- Recommendations:
- From invited lecturers
- From collaborating organizations
- Proficiency in English
- Relevance of professional/academic background
Financial Information
- Course Fee: Free
- Travel, Accommodation, and Expenses:
- The organizers shall cover basic round-trip airfare from participants’ home countries to China for the international attendees. We can assist with flight reservation upon confirmation of travel plans.
- Local ground transportation and daily lunches throughout the summer school will be fully covered by the organizers.
- We also welcome more students from China to participate, but as the funds have been seriously exceeded, students who exceed the quota of 15 will have to pay for all the expenses themselves.
Visas
- China offers various visa-free policies for nationals of certain countries, allowing stays of up to 30 days or more under specific conditions.
- Participants who require a visa to enter China should submit the necessary application as soon as possible to the nearest diplomatic or consular representative of China.
Accommodation
- JI Hotel (Chengdu Xibo City Xinglong Lake Wetland Park)
- Address: No. 139 Sanchayan Street, Shuangliu District, Chengdu, Sichuan Province, China
Contact Information
For any inquiries or further information, please contact us at: Mr. Xicheng Liu.
Organizers
- Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
- Institute of High Energy Physics (IHEP), Chinese Academy of Sciences, China
- TIANFU Cosmic Ray Research Center, China
In Collaboration with:
- Nanjing University, China
- Chiang Mai University
Local Organizing Committee(LOC)
- Mingjun Chen( Chair, mjchen@ihep.ac.cn ), Lijun Guo(Co-Chair), Daikang Yan,
- Jing Luo ( luojing@ihep.ac.cn ) : Coordinator for lecturers affairs;
- Liu Xicheng( Secretary, liuxc@ihep.ac.cn ): Coordinator for international student affairs;
- Xiaohao You( youxiaohao@ihep.ac.cn ): Coordinator for domestic Chinese student affairs;
- Waraporn Nuntiyakul( waraporn.n@cmu.ac.th ): Coordinator for afternoon student discussion sessions.
