Earth-Space sustainability has emerged as a pressing issue of the 21st century, with increasing amounts of space debris falling through Earth’s atmosphere, giant mirrors to provide artificial ‘sunlight on demand’, severe loss of pristine skies, and rocket bodies crash-landing on the lunar surface. Earth and outer space have become intertwined environmentally, politically, and philosophically, leading to an emerging ‘Earth-Space systems’ paradigm that requires rethinking planetary governance for environmentally sustainable and just futures on Earth and in space. Central to these are the mobilization of interdisciplinary knowledge to address a range of contemporary issues spanning the past and the future: from the inter-generational loss of cosmological imaginaries to the protection of Earth’s common skies, and considerations for the ethical obligations and future integrity of other celestial worlds. 

 

To this end, the 2026 Utrecht Earth-Space Academy on ‘Transformative Governance for Earth-Space Sustainability’ aims to train next-generation scholars and researchers in new conceptual and methodological approaches to address the emerging issues of extraplanetary governance in the 21st century. The Academy will select a cohort of 20 early-career researchers (PhD candidates and post-doctoral researchers) as Academy Fellows to attend the training. From the History of Astronomy to the frontiers of Astrobiology, Anthropology, Space Law, Environmental Policy and Governance, and International Relations, the Academy Fellows will engage with the Earth-Space systems concept from a pluralistic, interdisciplinary perspective to gain a solid overview of the conceptual and methodological tools fundamental to generating new knowledge in the emerging paradigm. By the end of the training, Academy Fellows will be familiar with the concept and meanings of Earth-Space sustainability and with cutting-edge research in the field. They will also understand the importance of transformative change in science and policy for future Earth-Space sustainability.

 

Selected Academy Fellows will be awarded a scholarship – through a reimbursement procedure after the event – to cover long-distance travel and accommodation to attend the training. Scholarships will be awarded on a rolling basis until 30 September 2026 (or as soon as all scholarship spots are filled), based on the quality and excellence of submitted application letters and CVs. In the application letter, please state your research interest, motivation, and how participation in this Academy may support your research journey.