Background of Summer School / Introduction
The 2026 Summer School, jointly organized by the Erasmus + NewClim Consortium and the Euroleague for Life Sciences (ELLS) - SA Wine and Soft Fruits, invites Master’s and PhD students to participate in an innovative, international learning experience on the impacts of climate change on European agriculture, with a particular focus on adaptation strategies in viticulture and fruit production.
This programme adopts the Challenge-Based Learning (CBL) methodology, encouraging active, collaborative problem-solving and the real-world application of scientific knowledge. A total of 30 participants from 7 European universities will be selected to join a diverse academic cohort, beginning with an online preparatory phase and continuing with an onsite program in Montpellier, France.
Hosting University
L’Institut Agro (AGRO)
Venue
Montpellier. France.
Date
May 2 - June 26, 2026. In May, activities will be online. Onsite activities will be from June 22 to June 26.
Participants
30
Previous Knowledge
General Knowledge in perennial fruit crops physiology or agronomy.
Course Content
Adaptation of perennial fruit crops to climate change.
Challeng-Based Learning approach.
Intended Learning Outcome (ILO)
After completing the course, the participants should be able to:
Knowledge
- Identify challenges raised by climate change and its impact on perennial fruit crops in a specific context and from an interdisciplinary point of view.
Skills
Research skills:
– Conduct a literature review on a specific scientific topic.
– Apply academic knowledge to meet the sector’s practical needs
– Use of Artificial intelligence in research.
Soft skills:
– Ability to work collaboratively in an international team environment
– Be able to convey ideas clearly in written and oral forms
– Creativity and practical problem-solving
Hard skills:
– Progress in English
Course Schedule
Online activities. May 2026:
· Presentation of the Summer School, the Challenge-Based Learning (CBL) methodology and the evaluation criteria grid.
· A set of 10 hours of lectures related to adaptation of perennial fruit crops to climate change.
· CBL Engage phase:
– group making and identification of sustainability-related challenges followed by autonomous work.
– How to formulate effective research questions.
– Professional experts carousel: meet specialists from industry.
· CBL Investigate phase:
– Development of guiding questions.
– AI tools and research work.
– Research activities (literature review, interviews, etc.)
– Conduct a bibliographic synthesis.
Onsite activities. June 22-26 2026. Institut Agro Montpellier.
Monday June 22:
– Presentation of the project and networks.
– Intercultural icebreaker activity.
– Visit with experts on the Institut Agro campus.
– Workshop on solution prototyping formats.
– Workshop on the use of the serious game (currently under development).
Tuesday June 23.
– Field visit
– Identify a solution concept.
Wednesday June 24
– Roundtable composed of scientific experts, field professionals, and other stakeholders (local authorities, associations, etc.).
– Group work on the solution.
Thursday, June 25
– Group work on the solution.
Friday, June 26
– Preparation of solution presentations.
– Presentation of solutions to an audience of scientific experts, field professionals, and other stakeholders (local authorities, associations, etc.).
Course Language
English
Course Format / Teaching Methods
'- Synchronous and asynchronous online lectures and workshops.
- Online and onsite tutored group working sessions.
- Field visits
- Free format presentations (podcasts, role playing, video making).
Credits
ECTS Credits and Workload Overview
| Number of Credits [ECTS] | 3 |
|---|---|
| TOTAL Workload [hours] | 75 estimated |
| Student's own work [hours] | 30 estimated |
| Contact classes [hours] | 45 |
| Exam [hours] | 0 |
Type of Assessment and Assessment Criteria
Attendance and engaged participation during the lectures, practices, seminar and excursions; Quizz about online activities; Assessment of the quality of the deliverables; Quality of the final presentations of the solutions.
Cultural Activities / Social Program
Intercultural activity; Visits; Gala dinner
Tuition Fees
No tuition fee
Additional Costs
Costs covered: lunches, coffee breaks, 2 dinners, local transports and transports for field trip.
Not covered costs: travel expenses, housing, breakfast and dinners.
Students will be able to apply for an Erasmus + scholarship in order to cover those expenses. Eramus + scholarship amounts: 309 € for travel expenses 553 € for accommodation and food.
Accommodation
Accommodationwill be booked and organized by the organizer and payed by students with the Erasmus + scholarship.
Health Insurance
Participants are responsible for an adequate health insurance during their participation in the program. Participants should possess an EU health insurance card.
Visa
If support letters are needed, contact the administrative contact person below.
Application Deadline
31 January 2026
Link to online Application form
https://forms.office.com/e/SVn8zN4wbx
Contact persons for scientific questions
Anne Pellegrino anne.pellegrino@supagro.fr
Contact person for administrative questions
Jessica Agnel jessica.agnel@supagro.fr