✦ Field guide · Europe-first

Catalysis Fieldnotes

Conferences, schools, and open characterization calls for heterogeneous catalysis, lignin-derived phenolics/HDO, and AI in catalysis. Includes adjacent events where the methods or network may be useful.

Verified horizon: 5 Oct 2026 – 31 Dec 2027
Conference / workshopSchool / courseFacility access callFunding / support identifiedAdjacent fit / caveat

Conferences & meetings

CATALYSIS · AI / DATA

EuropaCat 2027 — Multiscale Catalysis

29 Aug–3 Sep 2027 · Ljubljana, Slovenia

Best overall fit: heterogeneous catalysis across experiment, computation, data science, AI, and industrial application. Abstract deadline 1 Feb 2027; presenter/early registration deadline 1 Jun 2027.

APPLIED CATALYSIS

CACEE 2026 — Catalysis for Energy & Environment

15–18 Dec 2026 · Mumbai, India

Relevant global meeting for applied catalysis, energy, and environment. Check the organizer page for current registration and any student support details.

AI METHODS

ECAI 2027 — European Conference on AI

2–7 Oct 2027 · Athens, Greece

Not catalysis-specific; useful for AI methods, tutorials, and interdisciplinary networking.

LIGNIN · VERIFY ORGANIZER

ICLECMC — Lignin for Energy, Chemicals, Materials & Composites

Listed 18–19 Nov · Paris · 2026 and 2027

Adjacent lignin/bio-aromatics topics; HDO not explicitly confirmed. WASET organizer listings only were found, so verify legitimacy, venue, and scientific program before paying or submitting.

BIOFUELS · INDUSTRY

Lignofuels 2027

17–18 Feb 2027 · Stockholm, Sweden

Industry-focused lignocellulosic fuels and scale-up; useful adjacent context, not a technical HDO meeting.

Schools & courses

AI · MATERIALS CHEMISTRY

Robotics and AI for Materials Chemistry Winter School

23–27 Nov 2026 · Liverpool, UK

AI/materials discovery skills relevant to catalyst research. Applications closed 24 Aug 2026. Fee listed: £150 academic / £300 industry; no student funding identified.

CATALYSIS FUNDAMENTALS

E-WISPOC 2027 — Physical Organic Chemistry

31 Jan–5 Feb 2027 · Bressanone, Italy

Broad catalysis fundamentals; not specifically heterogeneous catalysis or HDO. 2027 fees and application details not yet confirmed.

COMPUTATION · THEORY

Winter School in Theoretical Chemistry

14–17 Dec 2026 · Helsinki, Finland

Computational methods, including solid–liquid interfaces and catalytic kinetics; 3 ECTS subject to course requirements. Funding and application timing not confirmed.

CHARACTERIZATION · OPERANDO

Synchrotron Catalysis Consortium short course

18–20 Nov 2026 · Brookhaven, USA

Operando/multimodal methods, data analysis, and modeling. Applications closed; registration deadline for accepted participants/auditors 5 Nov 2026. Not a public drop-in course.

AI4Cat Summer School in Lisbon (7–10 Sep 2026) was a direct AI-for-catalysis match, but has already passed. No confirmed 2027 edition or dedicated lignin-HDO school was located in this search.

Characterization access & funding

Best current actions are the PSI SLS and ISA calls below. Facility access is usually peer-reviewed beamtime, not a cash grant; check sample eligibility, beamline fit, and travel terms.

OPEN · DEADLINE SOONTNA SUPPORT MAY APPLY

PSI Swiss Light Source (SLS) I-27

Deadline 15 Oct 2026 · Beamtime Mar–Aug 2027

Open beamlines include Super-XAS and others. Contact the beamline team to confirm catalyst fit. Next cycle II-27 is foreseen for spring 2027.

OPENNEPHEWS SUPPORT

ISA / ASTRID2 2027 access

Deadline 3 Nov 2026 · Access Jan–Dec 2027

National and international groups may apply. NEPHEWS support for eligible users on ASTRID2 is available through June 2027; contact the relevant beamline scientist first.

CLOSED · MONITOR NEXT CALLMOBILITY SUPPORT

CERIC-ERIC coordinated access

25th call closed 30 Sep 2026

Multi-technique proposals across 60+ instruments/support labs; worldwide eligibility. Access is free under its data policy, with partial mobility support for up to two users. Next 2027 call date not announced; calls are typically semestral, not guaranteed.

CLOSED · MONITOR

ALBA Synchrotron

2027-I deadline 7 Sep 2026 (passed)

Beamtime and electron microscopy; international applicants accepted. Coverage and travel support vary—check the next cycle directly.

CLOSED · MONITOR

ESRF public beamtime

2027-I deadline 10 Sep 2026 (passed)

Public peer-reviewed X-ray beamtime; choose beamline and discuss feasibility. No general travel grant verified.

CLOSED · MONITOR

MAX IV

2027a call 2–16 Sep 2026 (passed)

Peer-reviewed synchrotron access; check upcoming calls and specific beamline capabilities.

CLOSED · MONITOR

ILL neutron beamtime

15 Sep 2026 deadline passed

Neutron methods may complement catalyst characterization where appropriate. Standard calls are typically February and September; confirm next deadline and member-country eligibility.

Calendar notes

As of 5 Oct 2026, several 2026 calls and school applications have closed. Dates marked “monitor” are not predictions; CERIC’s next opening date is unannounced. Student travel funding was not stated for most conferences/schools checked, so contact organizers rather than assuming support.