GVNL Graduate School 2026

The Graduate School offers participants the opportunity to deepen their understanding of fundamental concepts in electrochemistry and its various applications. The aim is to strengthen an active community in which researchers meet, share knowledge, and learn from one another.

The GVNL Graduate School takes place annually and will celebrate its 6th edition in 2026. This year, the programme spans five days, allowing additional time alongside the scientific sessions for in-depth discussions, interaction, and strengthening professional connections. During the week, researchers and professionals in electrochemistry come together to exchange knowledge, share experiences, and get to know one another better. In addition to the scientific programme, joint and social activities are also planned.

The GVNL Graduate School offers a unique opportunity to deepen your expertise, expand your professional network, and strengthen your engagement with the electrochemistry community. Whether you are at the beginning of your career or already have several years of experience, this week promises to be an inspiring and valuable experience for anyone interested in electrochemistry.

Please note: the number of available places is limited (maximum of 50 participants).
By pre-registering, you apply for the selection procedure.

When

29 June – 3 July 2026

Where

Fletcher Hotel-Restaurant De Witte Raaf, Duinweg 117, 2204 AT Noordwijk, The Netherlands

For whom

The Graduate School is open to researchers from universities, research institutes, and companies, and aims for a balanced composition of academic and industrial participants.

The language of the Graduate School is English.

Participation fees

• PhD students and postdoctoral researchers: €850

• Industrial participants and lecturers: €1,500

* This fee includes VAT, four nights of accommodation, all meals, the scientific programme, and social activities.

How to apply for the selection procedure *Updated*

• Pre-registration opens: 5 February 2026

• Pre-registration closes: 15 May 2026

After the pre-registration deadline, the selection committee will review all applications.
If you have registered in time, we will contact you during the week of 18 May 2026 regarding your participation.

Once selected, you will have until 19 June 2026 to complete payment of the participation fee.
If you are unable to attend, please inform the organisation as soon as possible so that another candidate can be offered your place.

Important

After the pre-registration deadline, the committee will make a selection from the applications received. A maximum of 50 participants will be admitted. The selection aims to ensure:

• a balanced distribution between academic and industrial participants;

• a representative geographical spread;

• priority for researchers in earlier career stages (PhD students and postdoctoral researchers);

• timely registration.

Cancellation policy

• Up to and including 31 May 2026: full refund, minus a €7.50 administration fee

• From 1 June to 15 June 2026: 50% refund

• From 16 June 2026 onwards: no refund possible

• No-show: in case of non-attendance without timely cancellation, 100% of the participation fee will be charged (no refund)

What can you expect?

During the GVNL Graduate School 2026, participants will deepen their knowledge of electrochemistry through lectures, interactive sessions and discussions with experts from academia and industry.

The programme covers both fundamental and applied topics related to electrochemistry and the energy transition, including:

• Fundamentals of Electrochemistry — Marc Koper (Leiden University)
• Best practices in electrochemistry — Amanda Garcia (UvA)
• Industrial electrochemistry and mass transport — Thijs de Groot (TU/e)
• Electrochemical impedance spectroscopy — Dulce Morales (RUG) & Oumaima Gharbi (CNRS)
• Modelling — Alexander Bagger (DTU)
• Electrochemical CO₂ conversion — Tom Burdyny (TU Delft)
• High Temperature Fuel Cells and Electrolysis — Vassilis Kyriakou (RUG)
• X-ray and vibrational spectroscopy — Ward van der Stam (UU) & Rik Mom (Leiden University)
• Redox flow batteries — Antoni Forner Cuenca (TU/e)
• System integration — Mar Pérez-Fortes (TU Delft)

In addition to the scientific programme, there will be plenty of opportunities for interaction and community building through poster sessions, panel discussions, social activities and networking moments.

In these video’s more information from the organisation and past students. The Graduate School offers students the opportunity to learn about fundamental concepts of electrochemistry and various applications