Call for Applications: International Training Program on Extreme Climate Events and Impacts along The Belt and Road

Title: International Training Program on Extreme Climate Events and Impacts along The Belt and Road

Time: 2026.10.10-10.24

Sponsors:

Ministry of Science and Technology of the People’s Republic of China

China International Talent Exchange Foundation

Shaanxi Association for Science and Technology

Xi’an Association for Science and Technology

Organizers:

Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences

State Key Laboratory of Loess Science

Xi’an Institute for Innovative Earth Environment Research

Objectives:

This training program is designed to enhance the research capabilities of young scholars from Belt and Road countries in the field of extreme climate events and their impacts, foster academic cooperation and exchange between Chinese scholars and their counterparts from Belt and Road countries in climate and environmental change research, and strengthen the collective capacity of these nations to address the challenges posed by extreme climate change, thereby contributing scientific strength to promoting regional economic and social sustainable development and advancing global climate governance.

Activities:

Course Teaching:

(1) Reconstruction of extreme climate events across multiple timescales using tree rings, speleothems, loess, lake sediments, corals, and Tridacna records

(2) Glaciers and extreme climate

(3) AMS technology and its applications

(4) Numerical simulation and AI-based paleoclimate reconstruction

(5) Climate tipping points and compound extreme climate events

(6) Ecological and societal impacts of extreme climate events and adaptation strategies

Laboratory Visit and Operational Training:

(1) Practice with stable isotope and trace element mass spectrometry instruments

(2) Practice with X-ray fluorescence spectrometry for mineral and elemental composition analysis and X-ray diffraction analysis for soil composition

(3) Practice with biomarker analysis instruments

(4) Practice with ecological laboratory instruments

(5) Tree-ring sample processing practice

(6) Continental environmental core repository and multi-parameter scanning analysis

Field Investigation and Sampling Training:

(1) Field investigation and sampling training for tree rings, caves, and loess

(2) Field visit and training at the National Field Scientific Observation

Academic Seminar and Roundtable Discussion:

This seminar and roundtable discussion aim to foster international scientific exchange and collaborative dialogue on the critical challenges posed by extreme climate events in the Belt and Road region. Through keynote presentations and interactive roundtable sessions, the program seeks to advance shared understanding of key issues, including post-disaster reconstruction, the ecological and societal impacts of extreme climate events, and effective adaptation and response strategies. By bringing together young researchers and world-leading senior scientists from diverse environmental disciplines, the seminar provides a dynamic platform for participants to present cutting-edge research, explore emerging technologies, and build lasting professional networks.

Cultural Exploration:

Participants will have the opportunity to explore the rich cultural heritage of Xi’an, one of China’s most historic cities and the eastern starting point of the ancient Silk Road. Through guided visits to iconic landmarks such as the Terracotta Warriors and the Ancient City Wall, participants will gain a deeper appreciation of Chinese civilization and its enduring connections to the Belt and Road region.

Participants (by invitation):

Young researchers engaged in climate and environmental change studies in universities and research institutes of countries along the Belt and Road and developing countries, with specific requirements as follows:

(1) Age under 35 years old;

(2) Engaged in climate-environmental related work for more than 2 years;

(3) Postgraduate applicants are required to submit both a letter of consent and a letter of recommendation from their academic supervisor;

(4) Good health, free from infectious diseases and physical disabilities;

(5) Proficient in Chinese or English listening, speaking, reading, writing;

(6) Familiar with the development status of their home country’s climate-environmental conditions, providing relevant proof such as published articles or degree dissertations;

(7) Not accompanied by family members;

(8) Friendly to China, abide by relevant laws and regulations of the People’s Republic of China and respect Chinese customs and traditions throughout the duration of the training program.

Instructors: Renowned scholars engaged in climate-environmental change research from Institute of Earth Environment, Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and relevant universities, research institutes etc.

Venue: Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, China.

Working Language: English

Expenses: All travel expenses, including round-trip airfare to China, local transport and accommodation, meals, and insurance expenses within China are provided to accepted participants.

How to Apply:

Interested candidates are requested to complete the application form and submit the required documents to wangyaqin@ieecas.cn by August 28, 2026.

Application Deadline: August 28, 2026.

Training Program Director:

Prof. Liangcheng Tan, tanlch@ieecas.cn

Coordinator:

Assoc. Prof. Yaqin Wang, wangyaqin@ieecas.cn