Earth Observation and GeoAI for Climate-Resilient Urban Systems

Participants selected for travel support under the IEEE GRSS School on Earth Observation and GeoAI for Climate-Resilient Urban Systems must comply with the following travel grant guidelines and reimbursement policies.

Subject to available funding and prior approval, travel grants may cover: 

• Standard/economy-class travel expenses (air, train, or bus) 
• Travel between the participant’s city of residence and Linz, Austria 
• Local public transportation related to participation in the school 
• Accommodation during the official school period in a standard 3-star hotel, student accommodation, or hostel 

• Participants must use the most direct, economical, and reasonable route of travel. 
• Only standard/economy-class fares are eligible for reimbursement. 
• Business-class, first-class, or premium travel upgrades will not be reimbursed. 
• All travel arrangements should be cost-effective and compliant with the organizer’s reimbursement policies. 

• Public transportation expenses within Linz (e.g., tram, bus, or local train) are eligible for reimbursement. 
• Taxi, ride-sharing, and private transportation expenses will not be reimbursed. 

• Travel grants are provided as reimbursement after the event and are subject to available funding. 
• Reimbursement requests must include original receipts, proof of payment, and boarding passes or travel tickets where applicable. 
• Only expenses incurred during the official event period will be considered eligible. 
• Participants are responsible for arranging their own travel, accommodation, visa, and insurance. 

• Grant recipients are expected to attend the full duration of the school and actively participate in all sessions and activities. 
• The organizers reserve the right to partially reimburse expenses or decline reimbursement for costs that do not comply with the stated guidelines. 

The organizers reserve the right to determine the level of support awarded to each recipient based on available funding, applicant needs, and selection outcomes. 

Applicants must:

• Apply for in-person participation
• Be students, early-career researchers, or young professionals
• Demonstrate a basic background in GIS and/or programming
• Submit a complete application, including motivation statement and CV

Travel grants will be awarded based on the following factors:

1. Motivation and Relevance

• Quality and clarity of the motivation statement
• Alignment of applicant’s work/interests with Earth Observation, GeoAI, and climate-resilient urban systems
• Potential to benefit from and contribute to the summer school

2. Academic and Professional Merit

• Educational background and research experience
• Demonstrated engagement in relevant domains (EO, geospatial analytics, urban/climate studies)
• Supporting evidence from CV

3. Financial Need

• Clear justification for requiring financial support
• Lack of alternative funding sources

4. Diversity and Inclusion

• Priority may be given to:
  • Applicants from low- and middle-income countries
  • Underrepresented groups in geospatial and AI fields

Candidates from resource-constrained institutions

Please note that participants are responsible for arranging their own accommodation during the Summer School. Below are some recommended options in Linz, listed by proximity to the Summer School venue:

 Sommerhaus Hotel | Linz – Our top recommendation, located just a 5-minute walk from the Summer School venue. 

Harry’s Home – Approximately 2-minute walk from the venue. 

Bildungshaus Sankt Magdalena – Approximately 30 minutes away by public transportation; website in German only.  

Mama Muh Linz – Approximately 30 minutes away by public transportation. 

Other accommodation options: 

Airbnb 

Tripadvisor – 10 best hotels in Linz, Austria 

If you hold a valid residence permit from another Schengen country, or if you are a citizen of a country with visa-free entry to Austria, you do not need a visa to enter Austria for stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period. 

If this does not apply to you, you will need to apply for a Visa C at the appropriate Austrian embassy or consulate in your country of residence. For detailed information on visa types and application procedures, please refer to: Visa C or Visa D 

Visa processing times can vary depending on your location and the time of year, especially during peak travel seasons. To avoid delays, we strongly recommend applying at least four weeks before your planned travel date. You should begin your visa application process as soon as you receive your official confirmation email from us. 

Please note that we are unable to provide direct support for visa applications or communicate with embassies on your behalf. If a visa is required for your travel, it is your responsibility to make the necessary arrangements independently. We recommend contacting the appropriate embassy or consulate as early as possible to ensure a smooth process. 

Please note: If you are unable to attend due to visa issues, we are unfortunately unable to offer a refund. 

How to travel to Linz: How to travel to Linz » Linz Tourismus | Welcome to Linz! 

Discover Linz: Discover Linz » Linz Tourismus | Welcome to Linz! 

Bernd Resch, Martin Sudmanns, Shaily Gandhi, Karima Hadj-Rabah, Getachew Gella, Pawel Netzel, Sigmund Kluckner

Shaily Gandhi, Bernd Resch, Martin Sudmanns, Karima Hadj-Rabah, Getachew Gella, Pawel Netzel, Sigmund Kluckner, Ferdinando Nunziata, Emanuele Santi 

Daniel Cracau, Peter Weixelbaumer, Ines Neuhuber

Gentrit Dibrani, Quang T. Pham, Lena Thalhammer, Ortrun Schandl

IT:U – Interdisciplinary Transformation University Austria