The International Astronomical Youth Camp (IAYC) is a three-week residential astronomy camp held each summer in a changing location, run by volunteer students and young scientists for the non-profit International Workshop for Astronomy (IWA).
About 65 participants live in a remote camp house and work on their own project in a working group, from observing and imaging to programming and astrophysics. The 2026 camp ran in Mazarete, Spain; the 2027 edition has not yet been announced.
Benefits & funding
- Camp fee (2026): €1,190, covering full board (three meals a day) and all organised programmes; travel is not included.
- Need-based IWA grants may cover up to the full fee but never travel; separate grants exist for German residents or citizens (WE-H Foundation) and for pupils of Zagreb’s XVth Gymnasium (fully funded).
- Camp and grant decisions are separate: acceptance does not guarantee a grant.
Eligibility
- Aged 16 to 24 (both included) on the first day of camp; no exceptions.
- Open to any nationality and field of study; no prior astronomy knowledge required.
- Conversational English, without needing a dictionary.
- Must attend the entire three weeks; exams or competitions during camp cannot be accommodated.
- Valid health insurance for the host country is required once accepted.
Application process
- 1Apply on the IAYC portal by the deadline (22 March in 2026), ranking your preferred working groups and writing a motivation letter.
- 2Upload a consent form signed by you, or by a legal guardian if under age.
- 3For a grant, complete the grant section and send a 2–3-minute video by the same deadline.
- 4If accepted (results around end of April), pay €350 within seven days and the €840 balance within 14 more days.
Program timeline
Applications open
January 2027 (expected)
22 March 2026
2026 application deadline
Results
End of April 2026
2–22 August 2026
IAYC 2026