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Target Audience
The São Paulo School of Advanced Science on Microplastics (ESPCA Microplastics) is aimed at master’s and doctoral students, as well as early-career researchers, from Brazilian and international institutions whose academic and research activities are related to microplastics, emerging pollutants, environmental contamination, and their impacts on ecosystems and human health.
Applications are welcome from candidates with diverse academic backgrounds, including environmental sciences, chemistry, biology, engineering, toxicology, oceanography, and related fields, provided their research interests align with the school’s main themes.
How many students will be selected?
A total of 100 students will be selected: 50 from Brazil and 50 from other countries.
Selected participants will receive financial support from the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP), which includes accommodation, meals, daily allowances, and travel insurance for participants coming from outside Brazil.
Do I need to master the English language?
Yes, fully. The official language of the ESPCA Microplastics is English. Therefore, only participants with sufficient proficiency in English will be selected, ensuring full participation and interaction throughout all activities.
I have no financial means to pay for the travel or my stay in Campinas. How can I do?
The costs of round-trip travel (air or ground), accommodation, meals, daily allowances, local transportation during the school’s activities, and travel insurance (for participants coming from outside Brazil) will be fully covered by the ESPCA Microplastics, with funding from the São Paulo Research Foundation (FAPESP).
I am a FAPESP grantee. Am I being fully funded regarding my participation?
Participants who are FAPESP scholarship holders must use their own research project funds to cover travel and daily expenses during the school, in accordance with FAPESP regulations.
Can the School’s organization help me with bureaucratic expenses to arrange my travel, like the documents to get my visa?
Obtaining a visa, when required, including any related costs (appointments, documentation, fees, and travel), is the sole responsibility of the selected participant. Applicants must be aware of visa processing timelines to ensure arrival in Brazil before the start of the school. Selected participants will receive an official acceptance letter from the ESPCA Microplastics organization, which may be used to support visa applications.
Do I need to buy the airline tickets? Can I reschedule my flight after the ticket was acquired?
Airline tickets will be purchased by the ESPCA Microplastics organization on behalf of selected participants, considering economy-class travel, the best available fares, and reasonable travel routes and durations. Flight dates may not be changed under any circumstances. If a participant reschedules or alters their travel, they must fully reimburse the ESPCA Microplastics organization for all incurred costs.
Do I have some obligation regarding the accountability of my expenses, like presenting boarding passes?
Participants must submit round-trip boarding passes to the Organizing Committee. Boarding passes for travel to Brazil must be presented upon arrival. Return boarding passes must be scanned and sent by email within two business days after returning home. Certificates of participation will only be issued upon compliance with this requirement.
I have no flights from my region/country, how can you deal with that?
Participants who do not require air travel will be contacted by the organization to arrange appropriate transportation.
Can I extend my stay in Brazil or arrive earlier?
All participants must arrive one day before the start of the ESPCA Microplastics activities and depart one day after the school concludes. Extending the stay beyond the official dates will not be permitted.
Where am I going to stay? Will I have to share my room?
During the school, participants will be accommodated at the official accommodation designated by the ESPCA Microplastics organization. Staying at alternative accommodations will not be allowed. Rooms will be shared, accommodating two to three participants per room.
Will School’s organization pay for my snacks or my gastronomical adventures to know feijoada and pão de queijo out of the official restaurant?
The organization will provide three daily meals (breakfast, lunch, and dinner). Meals outside the official arrangements, as well as additional food items such as snacks and beverages, will not be reimbursed.
Can I skip some days to enjoy the wonderful city of Campinas to know the Capivaras and the Parque Taquaral?
Attendance at all ESPCA Microplastics activities is mandatory. Participants must attend 100% of the program, and attendance will be monitored. Absences will not be allowed under any circumstances.
Do I have more obligations than watch the classes and participating in debates?
All participants are required to present their research projects in poster format during the designated sessions. Participants must bring a printed poster, following a template that will be provided by the organization.
I have a dietary restriction. Can you accommodate with my special condition?
Any dietary, cultural, or religious restrictions must be communicated in advance to the ESPCA Microplastics organization, which will make every effort to accommodate these needs.
I am Brazilian, but I am currently working or studying abroad. How the School’s organization will consider me? (Or the opposite, Foreigners studying in Brazil)
A total of 100 participants will be selected: 50 Brazilian students and 50 international students. Brazilian nationals affiliated with foreign institutions will be considered international students, while foreign nationals affiliated with Brazilian institutions will be considered Brazilian students.
