NZF-SCHOOL
Net-Zero Future School 2026, Darmstadt
3rd International PhD School on Net-Zero Built Environment: Innovations in Materials, Structures, and Management Practices
4 Oct – 7 Oct 2026
Who will participate?
– 20 PhD’s from the Net-Zero Future Project
– 20 PhD’s from the DFG SPP Net-Zero Concrete
– 5 PhD vacancies open for application
– 5 vacancies reserved for participation by our Gold Sponsors
Contact us if you are interested in participation!
Our Gold-Sponsors will be included in the presentations or can participate in the school.
The four-day program combines scientific lectures, hands-on laboratory work, and collaborative group projects with interactive social activities designed to encourage networking and knowledge exchange. Participants will begin with a city tour and welcome event, followed by expert lectures and team-building activities. Practical lab sessions and group work at the TU Darmstadt Lichtwiese Campus allow attendees to apply theoretical knowledge to real research challenges. The School concludes with participant presentations, evaluation sessions, and a joint excursion.
By integrating academic expertise, practical experimentation, and international collaboration, the Net-Zero Future School 2026 provides a dynamic learning environment for shaping the next generation of net-zero innovators.
About Net-Zero Future School 2026
Lectures
Lectures
The lecture sessions of the Net-Zero Future School 2026 provide participants with a comprehensive overview of current research, methodologies, and technological developments related to achieving a net-zero built environment. International experts from academia and industry introduce key concepts in sustainable building design, energy efficiency, material performance, and climate-responsive construction. The lectures establish the scientific foundation of the School and encourage interdisciplinary discussion, preparing participants for the subsequent practical and collaborative program elements.
Lab Work
Lab Work
Hands-on laboratory sessions form a central component of the Net-Zero Future School, enabling participants to directly apply theoretical knowledge in an experimental environment. Working in small groups, attendees conduct measurements, analyze building material performance, and evaluate energy-related processes relevant to net-zero construction. Guided by researchers at TU Darmstadt, the lab work promotes practical understanding, data interpretation skills, and collaborative problem-solving, culminating in the presentation and discussion of results.
Activities
Activities
Complementing the academic program, a variety of social and team-building activities foster exchange beyond the classroom. Organized events such as the Darmstadt city walk, climbing forest experience, brewery visit, campus barbecue, and joint excursion create opportunities for informal networking and intercultural interaction. These activities strengthen collaboration among participants and contribute to an open and inspiring atmosphere throughout the Net-Zero Future School 2026.
Timetable – Net-Zero Future School 2026