Diplomacy
Spring School 2026:
Outer Space Cooperation in the Middle East
Apply
Apply
Apply now by February 15, 2026, with your electronic application documents as a PDF file!
From strategic competition to cooperation in space
Space-based infrastructure performs numerous vital tasks for our planet and is indispensable for the functioning of modern industrial societies. These include error-free navigation via global satellite navigation systems such as Galileo, GLONASS, and GPS (Global Positioning System). In addition, key areas such as energy supply, stock market trading, ATMs, weather forecasting, the collection of data and trends on climate change, and the transmission of critical information to the military are highly dependent on satellites. This dependence on satellite-based communications, data collection, and crisis response will continue to grow in the future.
With the growing importance of space resources, the potential to influence people, institutions, systems, and states through strategic technological control is also increasing. Extraterrestrial space, often referred to as the fifth domain of human civilization after land, sea, air, and cyberspace, is increasingly becoming a place of power projection and power politics between states. As a new arena of competition, space is not only subject to tensions between the major powers, but also attracts middle and regional powers that see it as offering considerable strategic advantages. This has far-reaching economic, military, and strategic consequences for the international community.
The space sector is also becoming increasingly important strategically in the Middle East region. Investments in space technologies promote economic progress and the emergence of new industries and jobs, while the development of comprehensive space infrastructures requires considerable financial resources and intensifies competition for limited resources. Military applications in space also exacerbate security policy dilemmas and are further influenced by geopolitical alliances. At the same time, space travel also offers opportunities for cooperation between the states in the region and opens up considerable potential for economic progress, security, regional stability, technological innovation, and international cooperation.
Goals
This Spring School will examine the space policies and strategic approaches of Middle Eastern countries, as well as the legal, military, economic, and technological challenges, in order to identify the potential for cooperation between them.
Participants gain detailed insight into space policies in the Middle East and develop innovative ideas for cooperative approaches between states in workshops. The Spring School is held in cooperation with the (Young) Society for Security Policy and the Center for Advanced Security, Strategic and Integration Studies (CASSIS) at the University of Bonn.
Participants
Young students from related disciplines (political science, international relations, etc.) from the Middle East will be invited to the UN city of Bonn to exchange ideas with students from Germany and develop innovative ideas for possible cooperation. International experts from science, politics, and business will provide participants with in-depth insights into space policy. These inputs will form the basis for the subsequent workshops.
Application
Requirements for applicants are:
Bachelor's degree or equivalent (in exceptional cases, Bachelor's students are also admitted)
Enrollment at a university (political science, international relations, but also other humanities disciplines, philosophy, natural sciences, technology)
Interest in an interdisciplinary approach to space
Openness to new perspectives and topics and the ability to work in a team
Very good knowledge of written and spoken English
Applicants must submit:
Letter of motivation (max. 1 page) OR a fictitious diplomatic letter (see below)
short curriculum vitae (max. 2 pages)
Certificate of enrollment at a university,
Proof of examination results and grades in the applicant's current degree program
Bachelor's degree certificate
Instead of a letter of motivation, we offer you the opportunity to send us an official (fictitious) diplomatic letter in which you take on the role of a representative of any country in the Middle East region at an international space conference on a maximum of one page.
You are free to determine the content (e.g., current challenges, opportunities for cooperation, diplomatic strategies) and form of the report.
Please send your electronic application documents as a single PDF file with the subject line CfASpring School [your last name]by February 15, 2026, to: sidiqie@ici-institute.de
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The Spring School combines specialist lectures by experts from science, business, and politics with interactive workshop sessions where participants can put their acquired knowledge into practice. A UN simulation is also planned.
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Yes. For all accepted participants, the costs of travel to and from the event, local transportation, meals, and accommodation in Bonn will be covered.
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We will issue an official letter of invitation for all accepted participants. Participants are responsible for applying for their own visas. We will reimburse visa costs.
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If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us at sidiqie@ici-institute.de.
Apply
Apply
Apply now by February 15, 2026, with your electronic application documents as a PDF file!