Applications for the 2027 course will open on September 2, 2026. Please check back then!
Est. 1974
Director: Giovanna Scapin, PhD
Director Emeritus: Sir Tom Blundell, FRS FMedSci
Erice, Sicily — Ettore Majorana Foundation and Centre for Scientific Culture
Supported by LODOS APS ETS
Founded in 1974 by Lodovico Riva di Sanseverino and Peter F. Lindley, the International School of Crystallography is one of the world’s most prestigious gatherings for structural scientists.
Held under the auspices of the Italian Crystallographic Association (AIC) and hosted by the Ettore Majorana Foundation in Erice, Sicily, each course brings together world-leading experts and emerging researchers from across the globe. The school covers cutting-edge methods and applications in crystallography — from small molecules to macromolecules, from synchrotron techniques to computational structure determination.
With over four thousand alumni in sixty countries, the ISC has shaped generations of crystallographers and structural scientists, fostering a global community united by the science of crystals.
The School has been led by three scientific directors since its foundation: Dorothy Hodgkin (1974–1978), Sir Tom Blundell (1978–2023), and Giovanna Scapin (2024–present).
Behind the School
LODOS APS ETS — Associazione di Promozione Sociale, Ente del Terzo Settore — is the non-profit association that provides the legal and administrative backbone of the International School of Crystallography. It ensures continuity and governance across editions, handling registrations, funding and finances, while the School's Executive Secretary and Treasurer serve as its officers, working alongside the Ettore Majorana Foundation to support students, faculty and the wider crystallographic community.
Perched at 750 m on Monte San Giuliano, Erice provides one of the most extraordinary scientific settings in the world.
A medieval hilltop village with panoramic views over the Sicilian coast and, on clear days, as far as the coast of Tunisia. Its cobblestone alleys and Norman towers create an atmosphere unlike any other conference city.
The Ettore Majorana Foundation and Centre for Scientific Culture hosts hundreds of international schools each year. Full board accommodation and lecture facilities are housed within beautifully restored medieval buildings.
Each course runs for 8–10 days of intensive lectures, tutorials, and practicals. The residential setting fosters a uniquely close-knit interaction between students and world-leading faculty, day and night.
Reachable via Palermo or Trapani airports. On arrival and departure days, transportation to/from both airports is arranged by the School free of charge.
Everything you need to know about fees, funding and travel documents before you apply.
The total fee is 1500 Euro, covering full board, transportation to/from the airport, excursions and social events. Accompanying persons are charged 150 Euro per day.
Registration-fee grants for applicants under 35 may be available from the organizers, and several external organizations offer travel grants to eligible participants.
Depending on their country of origin, participants may need a visa to enter Italy. Applicants should enquire with local Italian authorities as early as possible.
