Call for Grants for the International Conference “Geomorphosites 2026 – Heritage Geomorphology” (Sion, Switzerland, 7–12 September 2026)
The International Association of Geomorphologists (IAG) announces the offering of 1 travel grant of 450 € (four hundred and fifty Euros) to support the participation of one Young Geomorphologist* (excluding Switzerland) in the International Conference “Geomorphosites 2026 – Heritage Geomorphology”, and the associated Intensive Course on Geomorphosites for MSc and PhD students (Sion, Switzerland, 7–12 September 2026) organized by the University of Lausanne (Switzerland) and the IAG Working Group on Geomorphosites. Additionally, the organizers will waive the registration fee for the IAG grant holder.
The international conference will be hosted by the University of Lausanne. It aims to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the IAG Working Group on Geomorphosites and to pay tribute to Professor Mario Panizza, who passed away in 2025. The conference promotes an integrated perspective on geomorphological heritage by highlighting the scientific importance of landforms, acknowledging their aesthetic, historical, and cultural values, and encouraging collaborative efforts for their effective management and protection.
The conference will feature a range of scientific sessions and field activities focused on advances in Heritage Geomorphology. An Intensive Course on Geomorphosites for Young Geomorphologists will be held on 7–8 September 2026, combining classroom lectures at the UNIL Campus in Sion with fieldwork in the Chablais UNESCO Global Geopark, and is primarily intended for Master’s and PhD students. The program also includes optional excursions on 11–12 September, offering visits to sites such as Verbier Mont-Fort and the Lavaux Terraced Vineyard (UNESCO World Heritage Site), as well as Derborence, known for its 18th century historical rockfalls, and the Aletsch Glacier (UNESCO World Heritage Site).
For further information on the conference “Geomorphosites 2026”, please visit: https://go.unil.ch/rqdsv
Applications from candidates who already achieved one or more IAG grants totalling 500 euros or more in the past 3 years will not be eligible.
Candidates for IAG GRANTS are requested to submit the following files up to Monday 13 April 2026:
- Application form (.doc / .pdf) ;
- Short CV (maximum 2 pages long), including up to 10 papers related to the Workshop themes ;
- Certificate of the highest degree achieved (with the date of achievement) ;
- Abstract submitted or to be submitted to the conference.
Criteria to be proved by the CV and abstract submitted to the conference:
- Scientific content based on the abstract (relevance to the conference, scientific value, clarity in terms of English and structure).
- Academic activities based on the CV (dissemination of scientific results, e.g., publications, conferences, additional community activities such as event organisation, editorial activities, outreach, etc.).
Files should be submitted to:
Anita Bernatek-Jakiel and Efthimios Karymbalis, IAG Training Officers
e-mail: iaggrants@gmail.com (e-mail subject: “Geomorphosites 2026“)
The selection of candidates will be carried out by a Commission appointed by the IAG Executive Committee. For further information on the IAG Grants feel free to contact the IAG Training Officers.
Prof. Efthimios Karymbalis & Dr. Anita Bernatek-Jakiel
IAG Training Officers
karymba@hua.gr / anita.bernatek@uj.edu.pl
*Undergraduate or postgraduate – Masters/PhD students or scientists who have received their highest degree, i.e. BSc, MSc, or PhD, within the past seven years. Provided parental leave fell into that period, up to one year of parental leave time may be added per child, where appropriate.