The Summer Course on Space Law and Policy is one of the ECSL’s main activities. It is an intensive training course on the legal aspects of space activities.

Italy NPOC engagement in previous editions of the Summer Course:

The complete list of previous Summer Courses is available here.

 

ECSL Summer Course on Space Law and Policy 2025

The CALL FOR APPLICATIONS for the 32nd Edition is now open!

The 33rd ECSL Summer Course on Space Law and Policy will be hosted by the ECSL National Point of Contact for Estonia, the Institute of Law at Tallinn University of Technology, and will follow the overarching topic of “Cybersecurity in the context of space law and policy“. The Course will take place from 18 to 29 August 2025.

 

Information about the 2025 edition:

  • Dates: Mon 18 – Fri 29 August
  • Host: Institute of Law at Tallinn University of Technology (ECSL National Point of Contact for Estonia).
  • Theme: Cybersecurity in the context of space law and policy.
  • Opening of applications: 23 May 2025
  • Deadline for applications: 22 June 2025 (23:59 CET).
 

Places are limited: The 2025 Course is open to 45 students, 5 young professionals and 3 tutors from ESA Member States, Associate Members and Cooperating States. However, as there are 22 ESA Member States, the principle of equal geographical distribution applies. Therefore, the places available for the Italian NPOC are also limited.

 

Eligibility criteria (who can apply)

All the following requirements must be met:

1. Students enrolled in:

  • An undergraduate course;
  • A graduate course (e.g., Masters, LLM). In this case, there are additional requirements: the student must be under the age of 35; must not be a fully worker; must not be pursuing a PhD.
 

Note: The course is generally NOT open to working professionals over the age of 35 (since there are other ESA and ECSL dedicated courses).

 

2. Students studying law, political science (e.g., international law & organisations), economics (space sector focus) or other disciplines related to space law and policy.

Note: Applications from students with a technical background who can demonstrate an interest in space law and policy are also welcome, and a few are selected each year.

Generally, however, ESA has a dedicated “introduction to space law” course for students with a scientific, technical and engineering background. Click here for more info.

 

Application procedure for students

Students can only apply through their National Point of Contact (NPOC) in the country where they study or where they are citizens (contact ecsl@esa.int to confirm their NPOC or directly apply to the ECSL if your country has no NPOC).

You can reach the Italian NPOC at 👉 italynpoc.ecsl@uniroma1.it

Students must:

  • Fill in an electronic application form;
  • Save a copy of their responses;
  • Provide such responses and a copy of their CV (2 pages max) to their respecting NPOC.
 

All the previous steps are mandatory. Applications will not be considered complete by only submitting the electronic form.

  • Students should also confirm the reception of their application with the NPOC.
 

Supporting reference:

In order to apply, the ECSL requests the student to provide a “supporting reference” to verify the application.

Supporting references can be professors or employers (current or former). Students may also ask their respective NPOC to act as supporting reference.

The supporting reference does not need to write a letter of recommendation.

 

Electronic application form:

3 sections:

  1. Personal information (name, date of birth, address, country of residence, phone, email).
  2. Supporting reference (name, email, affiliation, professional connection between the referee and the applicant).
  3. Experiences and interest:
    1. Summarise your previous experiences and/or interest in public international law/space law and policy.
    2. State your motivation for applying to this year’s edition of the summer course.
    3. Please identify one current issue related to space law or space policy that is of particular interest to you and illustrate why you consider it of importance.

 

Timeline for the 2025 ESA/ECSL Summer Course on Space Law and Policy

23 May 2025           

Applications open           

22 June 2025 (23:59 CEST)

Applications close (Deadline will not be extended)

29 June 2025

Application deadline for NPOCs to confirm their pre-selection to ECSL

Early July 2025

Application results

14 July 2025

Deadline for confirmation of participation, payment and travel insurance

 

Useful links and contact details:

Do you want to know more on the Summer Course and access the Electronic Application Form? 👉 Click here!

Do you need more info on the Selection Criteria & How to Apply? 👉 Find it here!

Reach the Italian NPOC at 👉 italynpoc.ecsl@uniroma1.it