Workshop support

Purpose 

To support the organisation of interdisciplinary workshops – ideally in the COPL spaces – that advance COPL’s scientific objectives through focused, collaborative discussion and exchange.

Eligibility

Applicants must be members of research groups affiliated with COPL and will act as the official host. Hosts are responsible for workshop organisation, financial oversight, and reporting.

Scientific Scope

Workshops must address COPL’s core research areas, such as:

• The chemical and physical origins of life
• Diversity and habitability of planetary environments
• Life in extreme or non-standard conditions
• How life and planetary systems co-evolve

Funding

Up to CHF 15,000 per workshop and the access to the COPL Common Room.  

Typically supports:

• Travel (up to CHF 500 per external participant)*
• Accommodation + per diem (up to CHF 250/day for 4 days)*
• Lunches and social dinner

No support for room rental – use COPL Common Room.

*Only external participants are eligible for travel and accommodation expense coverage.

Workshop format

Typically 3 working days
10–15 internal and/or external participants

Application Process

Applications must be submitted through the form available on this page, and include:

• Workshop proposal with goals, context, and participant list
• Relevance to COPL’s scientific mission
• Detailed budget
• Dates and infrastructure needs

Assessment

Applications are reviewed by an ad hoc committee appointed by the COPL Directorate.

After approval

Budget is transferred to host’s ETH account.

Host manages logistics, reimbursements, and reporting.

Final report due 4 weeks post-workshop; unspent funds must be returned within 6 weeks.

Timeline

There is one call per semester, with the next submission deadline on Friday, 28 November 2025 for workshops in Spring Semester 2026.