Since the late 1970s, scientists have initiated discussions on neutrino astronomical 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 discoveries 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 (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 ten days. The first four days will be held in Beijing, where participants will attend lectures, seminars, and interactive sessions with leading researchers. The final six days will take place 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 detectors.
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
- HUNT telescope and LHAASO science
- Underwater/ice detector techniques & technologies
- Neutrino event analysis and cosmic messengers
- China–Europe collaboration and future plans
Program Structure
- Morning Sessions:
- Courses led by renowned and experienced professionals from China and other countries.
- Afternoon Sessions:
- Expert Courses, Discussions, students presentations, and hand-on activities
Application Details
- Application Deadline: July 20, 2026
- Course Dates: September 12–21, 2026
- 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 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 will cover round-trip travel costs for the 15 international participants from their country of origin to China.
- The organizers will arrange flight tickets and hotel accommodation for students once the itinerary is confirmed.
- Local transportation within China, accommodation, and meals during the course are also provided.
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.
Insurance Requirement
The accident insurance in China is required during the school, please provide the policy document when applying:
- Medical emergencies;
- Personal accidents;
- Liability arising from activities.
Accommodation
Beijing:
Guest House of Institute of High Energy Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences Link
Address: 19B Yuquan Road, Shijingshan District, Beijing
Chengdu:
Quan Ji Hotel (Chengdu Xibo City Xinglong Lake Wetland Park Branch)Link
Address: No. 139 Sanyanyan Street, Shuangliu District, Chengdu, Sichuan Province
Contact Information
For any inquiries or further information, please contact us at:
Ms. Jing Luo (luojing@ihep.ac.cn)
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:
- Peking University, China
- Tsinghua University, China
- Nanjing University, China
- Sun Yat-sen University, China
- Institute for Nuclear Research of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Russia
- The Joint Institute for Nuclear Research, Russia
- Chiang Mai University
