New UNESCO–CCDC Collaboration Expands Global Access to Crystallography Training and Research Tools
Global Remote Training Programme Launched to Empower Researchers in Crystallography and Solid‑State Science
We are pleased to announce, in collaboration with UNESCO, the launch of a new virtual capacity‑building initiative designed to expand global access to crystallography education and strengthen research capabilities in solid‑state science.
The initiative supports the UNESCO Recommendation on Open Science and the UNESCO Remote Access to Lab Equipment (UNESRALE) Initiative, both of which aim to reduce barriers to scientific participation worldwide.
“Expanding access to crystallographic data and expertise is central to our mission,” said Suzanna Ward, Executive Director of the CCDC.
“By collaborating with UNESCO, we are helping to ensure that researchers everywhere, not just those with access to advanced laboratories, can build the skills needed to drive scientific discovery. This initiative will empower participants not only to enhance their own work, but to spark a ripple effect of knowledge‑sharing and capacity‑building within their institutions and communities.”
An Iniative to Build Future Leaders in Crystallography
This new remote training initiative is designed not only to enhance participants’ technical proficiency but also to enable them to serve as local champions for crystallography education and solid‑state research within their institutions. Through a combination of lectures, demonstrations, hands‑on workshops, and assignments, participants will develop the skills needed to apply and teach Cambridge Structural Database (CSD)‑enabled methods effectively.
The CSD is the world’s largest curated repository of experimentally determined small‑molecule crystal structures with over 1.4 million validated 3D structures derived from X‑ray, neutron, and electron diffraction studies. Its breadth across chemical classes makes the CSD an indispensable resource for research and education in chemistry, materials science, and crystallography.
Core Training Modules Will Include:
- Discovering and analysing crystal structures using the CSD
- Effective molecular and packing visualisation
- Understanding and validating molecular geometries in crystal structures
- Analysing intermolecular interactions to assess solid‑state behaviour
A dedicated Trainer Preparation session will equip participants with concrete guidance, teaching strategies, and operational know‑how for delivering training at their home institutions. This aligns with the programme’s dual purpose:
- to strengthen participants’ individual research and teaching; and
- to cultivate a network of local trainers who will broaden institutional access to crystallographic tools.
All content will be delivered by expert CCDC tutors, with every session including interactive, hands‑on components. Participants will also complete short exercises between sessions to reinforce learning. The full programme overview is available through the application link.
Eligibility and Application Details
The initiative is open to:
- Faculty members and permanent academic or research staff
- Postdoctoral researchers
Applications are especially encouraged from institutions in countries eligible for the CCDC FAIRE programme, which supports researchers and educators in underrepresented communities.
Applicants must demonstrate:
- A strong research interest in crystallography or solid‑state chemistry
- Proficiency in English
- A clear motivation to support institutional adoption of crystallographic research tools
Selections will be based on the strength of applicants’ demonstrated commitment and on building a cohort that represents a diverse global community of institutions and researchers.
Application Deadline: 15 May 2026
Enquiries
For additional information, please contact:
CCDC hello@ccdc.cam.ac.uk or UNESCO lab-remote.access@unesco.org