Emerging global issues such as climate change, overpopulation, urbanisation, pollution and the scarcity of resources urge technological and biological research to address the new challenges posed by the sustainable development goals for the twenty-first century. Nanotechnologies are considered one of the most promising enabling technologies for addressing such challenges as the spread of infectious diseases fostered by limited access to drinking water, outbreaks of new pathogens among humans, animals, and plants, the re-emergence of eradicated infections, and the increased risk of major pandemics, which is exacerbated by increased global travel, as seen in 2020 with the outbreak of the SARS-CoV-2 virus.

These topics are the glue of the upcoming summer school within CIVIS Blended Intensive Programs (BIP’s) to be held in Sacrofano, 14-19 June 2026 organized by Sapienza University. The next 4th International Summer School on Nanosciences & Nanotechnologies (NANOSUM 2026) will be focussed on applications for crop protection necessary as consequence of climate change, environment conditions with relevant aspects on energy harvesting and distribution. Bio-based nanomaterials and the development of bio-based nanosystems to revolutionise some of the most important agriculture production such as crop production by allowing for the creation of innovative and sustainable solutions that can address pressing global environment and climate challenges will be discussed.

These small workshop will bring together professors and researchers from the CIVIS alliance and important industrial multinational companies giving a bite of the potentialities of new technologies in an multi/interdisciplinary context that can have a positive impact on society and contribute to the development of a more sustainable future.