2026 IIASA Young Scientists Summer Program (YSSP) – SSARMO Masterclass

The National Research Foundation (NRF), in partnership with the Sub-Saharan Africa Regional Member Organization (SSARMO) and the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA), invites eligible doctoral candidates to a strategic Masterclass designed to support strong and competitive applications to the 2026 IIASA Young Scientists Summer Program (YSSP).

This high-level virtual session will equip prospective applicants with a clear understanding of the strategic objectives of the YSSP, IIASA’s interdisciplinary research priorities, and the essential components of a compelling, well-aligned research proposal. The Masterclass aims to strengthen applicant readiness across the region and promote deeper engagement with IIASA’s scientific programs.

The session will feature:

• A strategic overview of the YSSP and its relevance for emerging researchers across Sub-Saharan Africa
• Guidance on developing competitive, well-aligned research proposals that reflect IIASA’s interdisciplinary systems approach
• Breakout discussions with IIASA researchers, offering tailored insights on research alignment and program expectations
• Reflections and advice from YSSP alumni on strengthening applications and navigating the program
• Information on the application platform, key timelines, and next steps in the submission process

This Masterclass is open to all doctoral candidates interested in applying to the 2026 YSSP.

Please register to receive the Zoom login details:
https://iiasa.zoom.us/meeting/register/M0gsy9CqRWW6Mw4alUPDvw

For more information on the YSSP, please read up here.

We also encourage you to make use of IIASA Connect to identify potential collaborators, engage with ongoing projects, and participate in global discussions on applied systems analysis.