Jyväskylä Winter School of Ecology will be organized 11 – 20 February 2026 for the 19th time. The Winter School consists of the following courses:
- Disease Ecology of Wildlife-originated Zoonoses in the Nordic Region: Current Challenges and Emerging Threats (1 ECTS, 11.2. - 14.2.2026)
- Boreal Winter Ecology (2 ECTS, 16.2. - 20.2.2026)
The Winter school gives you an opportunity to study under the supervision of teachers experienced in winter ecology and evolutionary ecology and get valuable fieldwork experience in a unique field station atmosphere. The courses are intensive, interactive, advanced-level and held in English.
All international and Finnish students who are majoring in biology, especially those with emphasis on ecology, evolution, microbiology, aquatic ecology, limnology, hydrobiology or environmental science, are encouraged to apply. We encourage you to take advantage of the high-quality teaching provided by internationally recognized researchers and enjoy the opportunity to get hands-on experience in winter ecology field methods.
Jyväskylä Winter School of Ecology is organized by the Department of Biological and Environmental Science and the Faculty of Mathematics and Science. The Winter School will take place at Konnevesi Research Station (University of Jyväskylä), which is located ca. 70 km north of the city of Jyväskylä.
If possible and depending on the interests of the participants and the weather conditions - that also affect the field teaching – there will be extra winter outdoor activities such as ice hole fishing and ice hole swimming, star gazing, listening and identifying owls and possibly lynx calling and so forth. The free time programme offers the opportunity to experience Finnish winter in perhaps a new way.
Participation in the courses is free of charge, but students are expected to cover their own costs including travel, accommodation and meals. Accepted students should pay a participation fee, which covers accommodation and meals at Konnevesi Research Station, as well as a field trip to Pyhä-Häkki national park organized as part of the Boreal Winter Ecology -course. Amount of the fee depends on the length of stay, more information available on our website.
For more detailed information on courses, practical matters and application instructions, please visit www.jyu.fi/winterschool.
Should you have any questions concerning the application process, please contact Jyväskylä Winter School of Ecology via HelpJYU service.
The application deadline is 31.12.2025