The Mentoring Program will offer one-on-one meetings between students, PhD candidates, postdoctoral researchers, and established scientists, creating a space for informal conversations and the exchange of experiences and advice. These interactions aim to support early-career researchers in navigating both the conference and their career paths. Overall, the program is made to enhance the early-career experience at EPSC 2026 and provide a valuable and unique networking opportunity. All of this with the goal of offering early careers a better experience at EPSC 2026 and a unique networking opportunity.

The EPEC stand will be your go-to spot throughout EPSC 2026, with exclusive EPEC goodies available all week just for participants. Whether you’re stopping by between sessions, meeting fellow early-career researchers, curious to learn more about EPEC, or looking for information on the activities happening throughout the week, be sure to come by and say hello. And while you’re there, don’t forget to pick up a little something special!

The joint EPEC x AbGradE event will begin with a relaxed “speed sciencing” session, where participants meet in small, rotating groups, giving everyone the opportunity to connect and engage with a variety of attendees in an informal setting. Coffee and cookies will be available at the start of the event to help fuel conversations and create a welcoming atmosphere.
Building on these initial conversations, the event will continue with an Early Career Symposium, providing a friendly and welcoming forum for attendees to present their current research, exchange ideas, and engage in scientific discussion with fellow early-career researchers. Together, these two complementary activities offer a unique opportunity to expand your professional network and share your science in a relaxed and supportive environment.

Early-career researchers are navigating a rapidly changing landscape shaped by shifting scientific priorities, evolving institutional structures, and increasing funding pressures.
The panel "Challenges shaping EC Opportunities in Science and beyond" will explore how mission redirections, budget constraints, and organizational change are reshaping opportunities in academia, industry, and beyond.
Panelists will share strategies for adapting career paths, building resilience, and identifying emerging spaces for impact.
The discussion aims to empower researchers to turn uncertainty into opportunity while shaping fulfilling and sustainable careers.

This meeting will introduce the Europlanet Early Career (EPEC) network at EPSC. We’ll highlight EPEC’s activities and upcoming events for early-career researchers.
Early-career researchers will have the opportunity to meet members of the organising and volunteer team, ask questions about EPEC’s work, and learn how to get involved in future activities.
Whether you are new to the EPEC community or already engaged, this session offers a welcoming space to exchange ideas, share experiences, and explore opportunities.
The EPEC General Assembly is a great opportunity to connect with peers, expand your network, and grow within the Europlanet community, both during EPSC and beyond.

Join EPEC and NPP for a fun Pub Quiz at brewery The Prael, where attendees will work together in teams to tackle a GeoGuessr-style challenge with a planetary science twist.
Open to all EPSC participants, the event is made to bring together researchers across career stages in a relaxed and social setting. Teams will be formed on the spot, and to encourage new connections, each team will include at least one participant beyond the early-career stage. Throughout the evening, teams will compete in a series of fast-paced rounds, earning points by identifying locations as accurately as possible, with a prize awarded to the highest-scoring team. Participants will also be able to order from a discounted dinner menu available throughout the evening. Following the quiz, the evening will wrap up with a live set from ESA's EnVision band.

Science Roulette is going to be a fun science communication challenge where participants create 2 slides teasing their research using anything from serious figures to memes and absurd visuals. The Twist? You won’t present your own slides, but instead you’ll improvise a live 3-minute talk on someone else’s slides with no prior context.

This EPEC × ESA workshop offers a unique opportunity to explore how future space missions and scientific instruments are conceived long before any technical development begins. Led by Jörn Helbert, Head of the Solar System Section in ESA’s Science Engagement and Oversight Office, this condensed session will provide early-career researchers with practical insights into the earliest stages of mission and instrument proposal development, offering a behind-the-scenes look at how new ideas can evolve into future space exploration projects.
Participants will have the opportunity to discuss how early-career scientists can contribute fresh perspectives to future missions. Combining practical guidance with open discussion, the workshop offers a valuable opportunity to gain insider knowledge, connect with an ESA representative, and explore pathways for becoming involved in the next generation of planetary science missions.

Join EPEC for a relaxed beachside social event at the Fat Mermaid, offering the perfect opportunity to unwind after a week of science, connect with fellow early-career researchers, and continue conversations in an informal setting.
To make the journey part of the experience, participants will have the option to cycle from the conference venue to the beach along a route inspired by a scaled model of the Solar System, with planetary milestones placed at realistic relative distances along the way. No registration is required, and the event is open to all early-career participants. Card and tabletop games will be available to help break the ice, while food and drinks can be purchased directly from the venue. Join us for a relaxed evening by the sea and wrap up EPSC 2026 the Dutch way. Lekker gezellig!

Europlanet is dedicated to create a safe and inclusive environment for everyone. This year, EPSC organizes a "Queer networking lunch" to create a supportive space where LGBTQ+ individuals can find and connect with peers. The goal is to have the opportunity to share experiences to combat isolation. We then have an open discussion about specific issues encounted where everyone is invited to share professional or personal resources.

All members and allies of the LGBTQ+ community are welcome to bring their own lunch and join the networking event.

If the weather is favourable, the meeting point will be at the International Homomonument, located at the Koekamp park, a short 10 minutes walk from Amare. The location in case of bad weather is 4A.04, Spui, TUDelft. You can ask at the EPEC/Europlanet stand for any clarification/confirmation.