ICTP Academic Calendar

The Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), located in Trieste, Italy, operates on a unique academic calendar tailored to its focus on advanced research and training in theoretical physics and related fields. Unlike traditional universities with standard semesters or trimesters, ICTP structures its academic year around a series of specialized programs, workshops, and research terms. These typically run from early January to late December, with intensive short courses and conferences scheduled throughout the year. Breaks are often aligned with major European holidays, such as a winter break in late December and a summer pause in August, reflecting the Centre’s integration with regional academic norms.

• Winter Program Start: Early January 2025 (typically January 6–10). Classes and research activities resume after the holiday break.
• Spring Workshops: March to May 2025. Multiple short-term programs and conferences are held during this period.
• Summer Break: August 1–31, 2025. A quieter period with reduced activities, aligning with European summer holidays.
• Fall Research Term: September to November 2025. Intensive research and training sessions dominate this period.
• Winter Break: December 20, 2025, to January 5, 2026. A holiday closure for Christmas and New Year celebrations.

• Application Opening for Postgraduate Programs: January 15, 2025. Applications for diploma and research programs typically open for the following year.
• Early Application Deadline: March 31, 2025. Early submissions are encouraged for priority consideration, especially for international applicants.
• Regular Application Deadline: June 30, 2025. Final deadline for most programs, with decisions notified by late summer.
• Financial Aid Deadline: July 15, 2025. Applicants seeking scholarships or funding must submit requests by this date.

The academic calendar at ICTP reflects its specialized nature as a hub for theoretical physics, diverging from traditional undergraduate-focused university schedules. Its alignment with European holiday periods, such as the summer break in August and winter closure in December, ensures compatibility with regional norms. For international students and researchers, the flexible, program-based structure allows participation in specific workshops or terms, though it requires careful planning due to the intensive and condensed nature of many activities. As specific calendar details for 2025–2026 are not yet publicly available, the above dates are estimated based on typical patterns observed in previous years and general European academic cycles.