COST Action · Bucharest 2026

From Molecules
to Materials

2nd Training School on Theory and Experiment

Join 35 students from across Europe for an intensive training school in the heart of Romania, hosted by the Institute of Physical Chemistry "Ilie Murgulescu".

Participants
35 European Students
Location
Bucharest, Romania
Discover More View Programme
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Welcome

Welcome to the
2nd Training School

We are delighted to welcome 35 students from across Europe to Bucharest for this intensive training school organised under the COST Action framework. This event brings together early-career researchers and students in a collaborative academic environment dedicated to bridging theory and experiment.

The school offers a unique combination of rigorous academic sessions, hands-on work, and cultural immersion in one of Eastern Europe's most vibrant and historically rich capitals.

Hosted by the Institute of Physical Chemistry "Ilie Murgulescu" and supported by TERACRYSTAL, the programme is designed to foster scientific collaboration and excellence among the next generation of researchers.

35
European participants
🇷🇴
Bucharest, Romania
COST
Action Framework
2nd
Edition of the School
Bucharest skyline at sunset
Funding & Partners

COST Action & Partners

This Training School is organised within the framework of a COST Action (European Cooperation in Science and Technology) — a funding scheme for the creation of research networks across Europe and beyond.

This Training School is part of the BEST-CSP COST Action CA22107 — Bringing Experiment and Simulation Together in Crystal Structure Prediction. The programme is co-funded by the European Union and benefits from the collaborative, interdisciplinary environment that COST Actions are renowned for. For more information visit www.cost.eu.

ICF Ilie Murgulescu logo

Institute of Physical Chemistry
"Ilie Murgulescu"

Romanian Academy · Bucharest · Host institution

TERACRYSTAL logo

TERACRYSTAL

Research partner and co-organiser · "Beyond the crystal"

🇪🇺

European Union

Horizon Europe co-funding programme

COST

COST Association

European Cooperation in Science & Technology

BEST-CSP

BEST-CSP · COST Action CA22107

Bringing Experiment and Simulation Together in Crystal Structure Prediction · best-csp.eu

Academic

Programme Overview

The detailed programme with course titles, lecturers, and schedule will be published here as soon as it is confirmed. Check back soon!

📅 Programme — Coming Soon
Course titles and the full daily timetable are currently being finalised. The structure below shows a placeholder for the schedule. All details will be communicated to participants in advance of the school.

General daily structure (times TBD):

Morning
Session I — course title to be announced
Morning
Session II — course title to be announced
Lunch
Break
Afternoon
Session III — course title to be announced
Afternoon
Session IV / Practical — course title to be announced
Where

Venue & Accommodation

Hotel Le Blanc Cotroceni

🏨 Hotel Le Blanc Cotroceni

Your home for the week, located in the charming Cotroceni neighbourhood, close to the Botanical Garden and the Presidential Palace.

📍

Cotroceni Quarter, Bucharest, Romania

🕐

Check-in / Check-out: times to be confirmed

🌐

Free Wi-Fi · 24h Reception

ℹ️

Please carry a valid passport or national ID. Inform organisers of late arrivals in advance.

ICF Ilie Murgulescu

🔬 ICF "Ilie Murgulescu"

The academic host of the Training School — a premier research institute of the Romanian Academy, specialising in physical chemistry and materials science since 1963.

📍

Splaiul Independenței 202, Bucharest 060021, Romania

🏢

Access via the central car park

📞

On-site contact details to be provided before arrival

📍 A shared Google Map with the hotel, institute, restaurants and key stops will be sent to all participants before arrival.

Getting Around

Transport & Getting Here

Bucharest is well connected internationally. From the airport, several options get you to the hotel quickly and reliably.

✈️ From Henri Coandă Airport (OTP) to the Hotel

🚂

Train (Recommended)

  • Direct train: Airport → Gara de Nord
  • Duration: ~20–25 min
  • From Gara de Nord: metro or taxi to hotel
  • Frequent service · very affordable
Most reliable
📱

Uber / Bolt

  • Direct door-to-door service
  • Duration: ~25–40 min (traffic)
  • Cost: approx. 10–20 EUR
  • Available in English · safe & trackable
Easiest option
🚕

Official Taxi

  • Use only licensed yellow taxis
  • Or apps: Speed Cabs, Clever Taxi
  • Duration: ~25–40 min
  • Cost: approx. 12–25 EUR
Always ask for meter

🚶 Hotel ↔ Institute (Daily Commute)

🚶

Walking

  • Distance: ~200 m from the hotel
  • Walking time: 5–10 minutes
  • Pleasant route through quiet residential streets
  • Plan to arrive 10–15 min early on the first day
Recommended
⏰ Important: Plan to arrive 10–15 minutes early on the first day of courses to allow time for orientation and registration.
Tourism

Explore Bucharest

Bucharest is a vibrant city full of history, art, and green spaces. Here are our top recommendations for your free time.

Palace of the Parliament

🏛️ Palace of the Parliament

World's second-largest building · Guided tours available

Google Maps
Village Museum

🏘️ Village Museum

Open-air museum with authentic Romanian rural architecture

Official site Google Maps
National Museum of Art

🎨 National Museum of Art

Romanian & European fine art · Royal Palace, Calea Victoriei

Official site Google Maps
Botanical Garden

🌿 Botanical Garden

10,000 plant species · Walking distance from the hotel

Official site Google Maps
Cismigiu Garden

🌳 Cișmigiu Garden

Bucharest's oldest beloved park · Perfect for morning walks

Google Maps
Herastrau Park

🏞️ Herăstrău Park

Large lakeside park · Cycling, jogging, cafés by the water

Google Maps
Therme Bucharest

♨️ Therme Bucharest

Europe's largest thermal spa · Geothermal pools & water park

Official site Google Maps
Saturday · Day Trips

Suggested Saturday Excursions

We recommend the following day trips for the free Saturday — each offers a completely different experience within easy reach of Bucharest.

Peles Castle Sinaia

🏰 Sinaia & Peleș Castle

The legendary Peleș Castle nestled in the Carpathian mountains — one of Romania's most iconic landmarks. Take the train from Gara de Nord (1.5h), then walk or take the cable car.

~1.5h by train ~20 EUR return Mountain scenery
Official site Google Maps
Constanta Casino

🌊 Constanța & the Black Sea

Romania's largest port city on the Black Sea coast. Visit the iconic Casino building, the Roman Mosaic museum, and enjoy the seaside atmosphere. Direct train from Gara de Nord.

~2.5h by train Seaside city Historic landmarks
Google Maps
Daily Life

Practical Information

💰 Currency & Payments

  • Romanian Leu (RON) · 1 EUR ≈ 4.97 RON
  • Cards widely accepted in restaurants, shops, and transport
  • Keep some small cash for markets and street cafés
  • ATMs widely available in the city centre
  • Tipping in restaurants: ~10% is appreciated

📶 Internet & Connectivity

  • Free Wi-Fi at hotel, institute, cafés, and most restaurants
  • EU roaming applies for European participants
  • Local SIM cards available at the airport (Digi, Orange, Vodafone)
  • eSIM options via Airalo or your carrier
  • Google Maps works well for navigation throughout the city

🌤️ Weather & Packing

  • Summer: warm days (~25–35°C), cooler evenings
  • Light clothing recommended for daytime
  • Bring a light jacket for evenings and air-conditioned rooms
  • Occasional afternoon thunderstorms — pack a compact umbrella
  • Comfortable walking shoes strongly recommended

🍽️ Food & Restaurants

  • Diverse options near hotel: Romanian, Mediterranean, Asian, fast food
  • Lunch near the institute can get busy — plan ahead or bring lunch
  • Excellent coffee culture · espresso widely available everywhere
  • Supermarkets (Lidl, Mega Image, Kaufland) open late
  • Vegetarian and vegan options increasingly available in Bucharest

🚌 Public Transport Tips

  • STB operates buses, trams, and trolleybuses throughout the city
  • Metro (Metrorex) has 4 lines — fast and reliable for longer distances
  • Tickets must be validated upon boarding — inspectors check regularly
  • Buy tickets at kiosks, STB app, or automated machines
  • Day pass (~8 RON / ~1.6 EUR) recommended for multiple trips

🗣️ Language & Culture

  • Romanian is the official language
  • English widely spoken in academic, hospitality, and urban settings
  • Locals are generally friendly and helpful to visitors
  • Dress code: smart casual for the institute; relaxed for tourism
  • Photography: generally permitted outdoors; check inside museums
Get in Touch

Contact & Emergencies

📧
Email

To be announced

💬
Group Communication

Join the WhatsApp group →

👤
On-site Organiser

Name and phone number will be shared with all participants before the school begins

🏛️
Host Institution

ICF "Ilie Murgulescu" · Romanian Academy
Splaiul Independenței 202, Bucharest

🌐
Useful Links

www.cost.eu · www.icf.ro

🚨 Emergency Contacts

  • Emergency (all services): 112
  • Police: 112 / 021-9555
  • Ambulance: 112 / SMURD
  • Nearest Hospital: Spitalul Universitar de Urgență București · Splaiul Independenței 169
  • 24h Pharmacy: Sensiblu and Catena have 24h branches

🔐 Safety Tips

  • Bucharest is generally safe — standard common sense applies
  • Avoid poorly lit streets late at night
  • Keep your belongings secure in crowded areas
  • Save the organiser's phone number upon arrival
  • Inform organisers if you plan to return late