June 11 - July 7, 2023.
Summer School is a full-time (all-day) commitment. Participants are expected to attend the entire program.
Tuition for participants from academic institutions: $4,500.
Tuition for participants from the corporate/private sector: $6,000.
Tuition covers course-related costs, accommodations, and meals. Students are responsible for the cost of travel.
Once accepted to the program, participants may apply for a small number of partial tuition scholarships that are awarded based on need. Please read more under CSSS FAQs.
Here is a list of third-party funding sources that have been helpful for past participants. Please double-check that information is up to date.
- Develop a deeper understanding of the theory and methods used to describe and predict the behavior of complex systems.
- Explore the latest applications of complex systems science to diverse research questions.
- Collaborate on a transdisciplinary research project in complex systems science. Explore past CSSS projects on our Projects pages.
- Connect with future colleagues and collaborators and the SFI research community.
 |
 |
 |
Institute of American Indian Arts |
Santa Fe Institute |
downtown Santa Fe, New Mexico |
The Summer School sessions take place on the campuses of the Santa Fe Institute (SFI) and the Institute of American Indian Arts (IAIA) in Santa Fe, New Mexico. Participants are accommodated in student dormitories on the IAIA campus.The IAIA campus is located in a beautiful Southwest high desert setting with mountain views, extensive walking trails, and quiet places for contemplation, and a short drive to the SFI campus.

Program Director Dave Feldman is a professor of physics and mathematics at the College of the Atlantic in Bar Harbor, Maine. He has been involved in CSSS since 2004. Feldman served as co-director of CSSS Beijing from 2006 to 2008 and has directed CSSS in Santa Fe since 2017. He has published two books, one an introductory textbook on chaos and fractals and a book on dynamical systems that is part of the Primers in Complex Systems series. Feldman is a major contributor to Complexity Explorer, where you can take his courses on Dynamical Systems and Chaos and Fractals and Scaling.
Complex Systems Summer School presenters include SFI Faculty and invited experts.

Applications are accepted from graduate students, postdoctoral fellows, faculty and professionals in any discipline, including fields not traditionally represented in the sciences (e.g. the humanities or arts) who feel their work connects to a rigorous study of complex systems.
Applicants from any country are welcome. Accepted applicants who are not US citizens or permanent residents will receive assistance with visa sponsorship as appropriate to their individual circumstances.
Eligibility
SFI policy requires participants to provide proof of complete COVID-19 vaccination prior to beginning the program.
The CSSS team is committed to offering inclusive educational programs in which all participants feel valued and supported in their learning journey. We believe that human diversity in all of its dimensions is essential to meaningful scientific progress. We believe that open discourse and respectful sharing of broad perspectives is essential for understanding our world. We work to ensure our educational programs reflect and encourage this diversity and inclusivity, and we welcome you to join us.
While the application period is open, access the application system through the "Apply now!" button at the top right of your screen.
Applicants should submit:
- Biographical information (filled out directly in the application portal).
- A current academic CV or résumé, including a list of publications, if any.
- A statement that describes your scholarly interests in complex systems and your goals in attending Summer School (maximum two pages).
- Two letters of recommendation: one from a supervisor and one from a collaborator.