How to apply

2026 – Updates:

  • The 2026 school will run from August 17 to September 4.
  • Call is open from November 15 onwards – deadline is January 31st, 2026 (no exceptions).
  • The prepared templates must be used by everyone and must be uploaded via a this link (There will be no automatic response. You will receive feedback within a couple of days).

Students

Please download this template for your application and carefully read and follow the instructions provided there.

If you have any questions please get in contact with us so we can help you.

Academic advisor

Use this template for the recommendation letters.

These should give details about the applicant’s abilities, projects and career. In the letter, make sure that it is written professionally, neutrally and without influence of the gender of the applicant.

Student grants

A limited budget for travel grants is available for accepted applicants. Applicants do not need to apply separately for these but should indicate on the registration form if they wish to be considered. However: Funding will be exceptional and will not cover the entire costs.

❗Applicants should therefore turn to their host institutions for funding support or any other funding agency. We are happy to help with letters to the institution or agency to support this.❗

  • Accommodation (arrival the day before and departure the day after the course): approx. €1100,- if you stay at the suggested hotel (breakfast included);
  • travel (applicant-dependent);
  • daily food costs: breakfast is included in hotel costs; lunch at student cantina approx. €5-7/day (student price); diner €10-20/day at a restaurant – cooking option at the Pal institute; there are shops and bakeries all over Erlangen with sandwiches, etc;
  • and desired extras (applicant-dependent).

Admission process

In the past we encountered a bias during the review process. To eliminate this we changed the admission process approved by the PaleoSynthesis Scientific Advisory Board and the Organizing Committee of the Analytical Paleobiology School.

The Advisory Board and the OC as well as the invited lecturers will review all incoming applications.

If you have any questions about your application please feel free to contact us.