Dear Colleagues and Friends,
The ORFEUS Annual Workshop 2026 will be organised—with support from the Geo-INQUIRE project (for the last time, alas!)—as an integrated component of the Peter Bormann Young Seismologist Training Course (YSTC) in Istanbul, just before the ESC General Assembly. We warmly thank the YSTC organisers at METU (Middle East Technical University) and KOERI (Kandilli Observatory And Earthquake Research Institute) as well as our local hosts at the Kandilli Campus of Boğaziçi University for making it possible to plan this joint event.
We look forward to strong community participation, continuing into the days of the ESC General Assembly. Please find key details below.
When, Where, and How?
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YSTC-only programme: 31 August – 2 September
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Joint YSTC + ORFEUS + Geo-INQUIRE workshop: 3–4 September
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Field/data-centre visits: tentatively planned for 5 September
All activities will take place at the Kandilli Campus of Boğaziçi University in Istanbul, just northwest of the Üsküdar neighbourhood—an area you may want to consider for accommodation. The joint event will bring together the YSTC trainees with the broader ORFEUS and Geo-INQUIRE communities. Participation in the joint workshop is limited to 100 people, based on room capacity.
Topics
The YSTC will focus on engineering seismology and earthquake engineering, which will also form the core of the joint programme. For 3–4 September, we additionally plan sessions on EPOS/EMSO data services on: near-fault observations & tsunami, at the interface with seismological applications.
How to Apply
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If you are (or feel!) young and wish to participate in the YSTC, please follow the official YSTC application procedure as announced on the ESC GA website (https://www.esc2026.org/ystc.html). Successful applicants will automatically be included in the joint YSTC + ORFEUS + Geo-INQUIRE event.
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If you wish to attend only the 3–4 September YSTC + ORFEUS + Geo-INQUIRE sessions, please watch for the opening of the registration in mid-March. Announcements will be posted on this Forum.
Travel Grants
Participation is free of charge.
ORFEUS and Geo-INQUIRE will provide travel grants to support:
- travel and accommodation for the joint event & participation in the ESC GA (including the early-bird registration fee)
Eligibility will include presenting your research (talk or poster) at the ESC GA in a domain relevant to the YSTC + ORFEUS + Geo-INQUIRE programme. Remember to submit your ESC GA abstract on time (https://www.esc2026.org/abstract-submission.html).
Instructions for travel grant applications will be provided during registration. Grants will be reimbursed via bank transfer shortly after the ESC GA, upon electronic submission of expenses to ORFEUS.
Additionally, ORFEUS and Geo-INQUIRE are planning to partly support general YSTC organisational costs and will cover lunches and coffee breaks on 3–4 September.
Save the Dates!
We hope this joint initiative sparks your curiosity and enthusiasm. Please mark your calendars and begin planning for an extended stay in majestic Istanbul!
Best wishes,
Carlo, on behalf of the Organisers.