Frequently Asked Questions
General
How do I get to Göttingen?
Göttingen is located in central Germany in the state of Lower Saxony (Niedersachsen), and as such is very well connected by the DeutscheBahn high-speed rail system. Those arriving by rail should book tickets for the Göttingen Central Station (Göttingen Bahnhof).
For those arriving by plane, the most convenient airport is Frankfurt International Airport (FRA) located in Frankfurt am Main. From the airport, Göttingen can be reached in ~2h via high-speed rail. The most convenient train ticket to Göttingen for those arriving by air can be booked from Frankfurt Flughafen Fernbahnhof which departs from inside Terminal 1 of the airport and has a direct connection to Göttingen.
Where will the GoEMMI school be held? How do I get there?
The GoEMMI school is hosted by the Max Planck Institute for Dynamics and Self-Organization, located at Am Faßberg on the edge of the city. The campus can be reached via a 25 minute bus ride on the 21, and 23 bus lines from the central station, and the 22 bus line from the city center.
Who is the GoEMMI winter school for?
GoEMMI winter school is intended for PhD students in the fields of computational neuroscience, statistical physics, complex dynamics, information theory, and biological/machine learning who wish to gain a deeper expertise of the many theoretical and practical facets of cognitive science.
What is the format of the school?
The school is intended to provide a mixture of theoretical and hands on experience. Students will attend a mixture of lectures, which explore relevant background information and theory in a topic, and tutorials, where students will have the opportunity to engage practically with the material and discuss topics in depth with lecturers. Students will also complete an independed project with final results presented on the last day of the school.
A detailed schedule is available on the Schedule page.
Where can I stay?
There are many accomodation options available in Göttingen. However, we encourage students to stay at the Max Planck Institute Guest house, offering double rooms or a shared apartments. The Guest House is located in the southern part of the city, is connected to the train station by bus lines 61 and 21, and to the winter school venue by bus lines 21 and 22. The cost for the entire duration of the Winter School is €360. Students also have the option to extend their stay by one additional week to complete the hands-on activities of the school at the same rate.
Application
How do I apply?
We will open the application process at the beginning of July.
What are the application deadline?
Applications will close on October 1st 2026.
When will I know if I have been selected?
The list of selected students is expected to be announced at the beginning of November, providing ample time for travel arrangements and planning.
How much does it cost to attend the GoEMMI Winter School?
There is no registration fee for the GoEMMI Winter School. However, participants are responsible for covering their own travel and accommodation expenses.
Accommodation at the Max Planck Guest House costs approximately €360 for a stay of two (or three) weeks. Coffee breaks and one conference dinner are included in the program. Lunches and most dinners are not covered and must generally be paid for by the participants.
The university canteen is conveniently located near the lecture hall and offers affordable lunch options (approximately €4 per meal). In addition, the Guest House is fully equipped with kitchens and refrigerators, allowing participants to easily prepare their own meals if they wish.
Will there be additional activities aside lectures/tutorials?
- Lab tours
- DPZ tour
- Excursions