The field of relativistic astrophysics has become one of the fastest progressing fields in science.

This is due to the coordinated interaction of a vast number of international projects of observations and experimental facilities in space, on the ground, underground, in the polar ice caps, and in the deep oceans. The fortunate circumstance occurs in these years of a considerable support to this endeavor by a powerful theoretical framework based on Einstein’s theory of general relativity and relativistic quantum field theories.

Many international collaborations have been dedicated to the development of new experimental and observational facilities. Since 1995, the International Center for Relativistic Astrophysics in Rome (ICRA) initiated an International Network of Centers in the field of Relativistic Astrophysics (ICRANet) dedicated to foster international collaboration in the theoretical field of Relativistic Astrophysics. Since 2005 ICRANet has acquired the status of International Organization with a coordinating Center in Pescara (Italy).

Dark Matter Ring in Galaxy Cluster CI 0024+17
NASA, ESA, M.J. Jee and H. Ford (Johns Hopkins University)

ICRANet combines the research powers of leading institutions in the Americas, Asia and Europe. Prof. Remo Ruffini is the ICRANet Director, Prof. Fang Li Zhi President of the Board and Prof. Riccardo Giacconi Chairmen of the Scientific Committee.

The International Relativistic Astrophysics Ph.D. Program (IRAP PhD) is the academic branch of ICRANet, has been created with the goal of training a highly qualified number of Ph.D. students in this exciting field of research. So far, the participating institutions are: ETH Zurich, Freie Universität Berlin, Université de Nice Sophia Antipolis, Università di Roma “La Sapienza”, Université de Savoie. These five Universities jointly deliver the Ph.D. The Institut Hautes Etudes Scientifiques and l’Observatoire de la Côte d’Azur also participate. Each cycle lasts three years. The courses and related scientific activities take place in all participating institutions. They cover a broad range of scientific topics including the mathematical and geometrical structure of space-time, relativistic field theories of fundamental interactions both at the classical and quantum levels, astronomical and astrophysical observational techniques, and the associated phenomenological and theoretical descriptions.

 This is the announcement of the sixth IRAP Ph.D. cycle. In addition to the courses and research the graduate school will take part in a series of seminars and workshops including the Italian-Korean meetings, the Italian-Chinese meetings and the Stuckelberg meetings in Pescara and at the University of Rome “La Sapienza”, the Bego Meetings in Nice and the XII Marcel Grossmann meeting in Paris. Distinguished visitors will present lectures including Prof. Massimo Della Valle, Prof. Jürgen Ehlers, Prof. Roy Kerr, Prof. Gerard ’t Hooft, Prof. Alexei Starobinsky.