The COST Action CA21101 COSY Training School “Fundamental Insights to Weak Interactions: Interplay of Theory and Spectroscopic Experiments. Confined astrochemical microenvironments – from gas to ice, dust and planetary soils” was successfully held on 15–16 June 2026 at the Hotel Stary Tartak in Iława, Poland, in the heart of the Masurian Lakes.
The Training School was designed for students and early-career researchers interested in the analysis of intermolecular interactions across a broad range of molecular systems in confined astrochemical environments. It was also open to experienced researchers wishing to deepen their knowledge of modern theoretical tools and experimental approaches for the analysis of weak interactions.
Over the course of the programme, participants explored both fundamental and advanced aspects of theoretical, computational and experimental methods used to understand weak inter- and intramolecular interactions. The school placed particular emphasis on the evolution of spectral signatures of prebiotic molecules, from the gas phase to confined astrochemical environments such as interstellar ices, grains and planetary soils.
The scientific programme covered key topics including fundamental aspects of weak interactions, Symmetry-Adapted Perturbation Theory — SAPT, modelling of multidimensional potential energy surfaces — PES, experimental infrared spectral fingerprints of weak interactions, and infrared spectra simulations using Vibrational Perturbation approaches — VPT2. These topics were complemented by hands-on sessions, tutorials, exercises and computer simulations, providing participants with practical experience and encouraging active learning.
The Training School was organised by a scientific committee including Piotr Żuchowski, Dariusz Kędziera, Małgorzata Biczysko, María Pilar de Lara-Castells, COST COSY Action Chair, and Francesca Mocci, COSY COST Action Training School Coordinator. The local organising committee included Piotr Żuchowski, Dariusz Kędziera, Joanna Kozłowska and Agnieszka Górska-Pukownik.
This Training School contributed to the broader objectives of COST Action CA21101 COSY — Confined Molecular Systems: From a New Generation of Materials to the Stars, which aims to build a strong computational and experimental foundation for understanding and controlling confined molecular systems. By combining theoretical modelling, experimental spectroscopy and applied computational approaches, the school strengthened the exchange of knowledge within the COSY network and supported the training of the next generation of researchers in this interdisciplinary field.
COSY warmly thanks the organisers, lecturers and participants for their contribution to the success of this Training School in Iława.
