The fourth edition of the “European School on Nuclear Materials Science” (ESNMS 2026) took place at the Institute for Scientific Studies of Cargèse (Corsica, France) from 29 March to 4 April 2026. It was co-organised by Marjorie Bertolus of the Energy Division of CEA (France) and Davide Pizzocri of the Nuclear Reactor Group of the Politecnico di Milano (Italy), with the support of the European Nuclear Education Network, within the European partnership on nuclear materials CONNECT-NM.
The ESNMS 2026 brought together 42 students from 31 organisations across 11 European countries. Participants were primarily doctoral students, alongside several postdoctoral researchers and young professionals, and were guided by 14 leading experts in the field acting as lecturers.
The technical programme combined lectures on nuclear materials, manufacturing, and the main experimental characterisation techniques, as well as multiscale modelling methods applied to these materials. It also included an open-air poster session and collaborative work focused on the application of nuclear materials science to key challenges in fission reactor materials.
Beyond the scientific programme, participants enjoyed informal moments along the sea during lunch breaks, as well as several social activities, including a welcome aperitif, a barbecue, a hike along the coastline near Cargèse, and a closing dinner in the harbour. These moments fostered strong interaction between participants and further enriched the overall learning experience.
The ESNMS has now become a key event for those seeking to acquire cutting-edge knowledge in nuclear materials science.
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