Background of Summer School / Introduction
The seed sector plays a strategic role in agroecology by shaping the foundation of resilient, diverse, and locally adapted production systems. It is crucial for diversified production and income strategies for farmers. It contributes to biodiversity conservation and the capacity to respond to climate change and market pressures while it underpins non-food ecological services thereby supporting broader agroecosystem resilience. To meet these challenges, the sector relies heavily on innovation and technology to deliver high-quality plant varieties and resilient seeds adapted to both productive and ecological functions.
The objective of this summer school is to provide a deep understanding of the entire seed sector, from (pre)breeding, seed production and quality up to variety and seed regulations. The summer school will also focus on the challenges facing by the industry in transitioning to agroecology and climate change resilience.
Hosting University
L’Institut Agro (AGRO)
Venue
L’Institut Agro (AGRO),
Angers, France. 2, rue André Le Nôtre,
49045 Angers Cedex 01.
Date
July 5 - July 10, 2026.
Participants
24
Previous Knowledge
Summer school is aimed at MSc and PhD students. Basic knowledge in plant breeding, plant biotechnology and plant/seed sciences and statistics.
Course Content
The summer school will be built on a unique and original teaching program structured as an online program followed by an on-site week course that address the application of scientific knowledge to real-world contexts.
The on-line content will cover key concepts associated with plant (pre)breeding, seed production, post-breeding activities aimed at improving seed quality, and variety registration and regulation.
The on-site course will include field trips within the Angers Region presenting the seed sector stakeholders including an international seed company, the European variety registration office, a seed testing laboratory, official field trials for variety registration, a genetic resource center, the Research Institute for Horticulture and Seeds (an academic research laboratory), and technical institutes related to the seed sector. Next, collaborative problem-solving activities will be proposed to address multidisciplinary challenges related to the seed sector’s response to agroecological transition, climate change resilience and emerging technologies (traits and ideotypes for organic agriculture, developing a service plant sector, using the holobiont in seed industry, traits and ideotypes for climate change, new breeding technologies).
Intended Learning Outcome (ILO)
Attending the summer school provides the students with the opportunity to:
· Acquire advanced knowledge and develop a broader understanding of the seed sector and its challenges in relation to agroecology and climate change
· Integrate knowledge from different scientific fields to design solutions for these real-life challenges of the seed sector
·Translate an idea into an innovation within commercial and regulatory settings
· Work in a multidisciplinary and multicultural environment to create a European network within the seed sector
Course Schedule
Online preparation phase:
June 8 to July 3, 2026: online asynchronous and synchronous lectures, amended with online self-study material; ~ 28 h of student work.
On-site week in Angers:
Sunday July 5 to Friday July 10, 2026 (6 days).
Sunday: Introduction and welcome ceremony.
Monday-Thursday:
Morning: field trips and meeting with experts from academia and industry
Afternoon: workshops to solve your challenge
Friday:
Morning: workshop to prepare your presentation
Afternoon: oral presentations of student challenges
Course Language
English
Course Format / Teaching Methods
The online program will consist of a blend of asynchronous and synchronous lectures, discussions, quizzes and personal assignments spread over four weeks to prepare students for the on-site program.
The on-site program will combine field visits to the seed sector and privileged interactions with the stakeholders and Challenge-Based Learning methodology to encourage students to solve one the five proposed challenges. For this purpose, students will be supervised by a scientist and a representative stakeholder. They will also have the opportunity to interview additional experts.
Credits
ECTS Credits and Workload Overview
| Number of Credits [ECTS] | 3 |
|---|---|
| TOTAL Workload [hours] | 75 estimated |
| Student's own work [hours] | 35 estimated |
| Contact classes [hours] | 47 estimated |
| Exam [hours] | 3 |
Type of Assessment and Assessment Criteria
Quizzes after online courses leading to a certificate of attendance -A report together with an oral presentation of the selected challenge in front of the student peers and a jury encompassing academic instructors and tutors from the industry at the end of the on-site phase.
Cultural Activities / Social Program
Welcome reception in a traditional cafe (guinguette) along the river Loire, Cultural event (guided visit of the Angers castle and 700 years old tapestry), Cocktail party at the European Community Plant Variety Office, Gala dinner.
Tuition Fees
No tuition fee
Additional Costs
Dinners planned in the programme (welcome reception, etc.), lunches and coffee breaks are included in order to promote a sense of community and the sharing of experiences. However, travel expenses to Angers, accommodation, breakfasts and other dinners are not included.
Accommodation
Students will be provided with information for accommodation where rooms will be pre-booked. They will then need to make their final room reservations individually.
The summer school is structured as a comprehensive Erasmus+ Blended Intensive Program (BIP; blended meaning consisting of an online and on-site part). Prospective participants from ELLS universities outside of France, are encouraged to obtain prior to applying 1. an approved Erasmus learning agreement and 2. an approved Erasmus grant agreement for the Blended Intensive Programme for the summer school. Admission priority will be given to participants who have obtained such agreements. You can inquire with your Erasmus coordinator or the ELLS International Relations Officer(s) of your university about the possibility of obtaining such a grant. Also ‘zero grants’, without available money count for approval priority. You can find the list of contact persons for each ELLS university here:
euroleague-study.org/en/r-20337-alliance/r-20346-support-teams/r-20469-international-relations-officers-iro/international-relations-officers-iro.html#Contact Info.
Prospective participants of non-ELLS universities are directed towards their staff dealing with Erasmus programmes or student exchange.
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
1 April 2026
Link to online Application form
Contact persons for scientific questions
Béatrice Teulat beatrice.teulat@institut-agro.fr
Jan-Kees Goud jan-kees.goud@wur.nl
Contact person for administrative questions
Richard Palmer richard.palmer@institut-agro.fr