It is a frightening time and it feels strange to plan a scientific conference right now: Most countries in Europe are in their second lock-down. In fact, the Hotel Sonnalp is closed for Nov due to the pandemic. However, our feeling is that we need to work contrarian to the pandemic cycle.

We hope that by the end of March 2021, the beginning of spring, the second wave of the pandemic decreased and we will be able to hold an on-site meeting in a hybrid conference setting. Our current plans are for 100 participants, mainly on-site talks plus some video presentations, and on-site only poster presentations. We will continue to reconsider and adjust our plans. While we would very much like to have a Kirchberg Winterschool next year, we will only proceed if we feel safe for our participants. In the spirit of Kirchberg, we currently do not envision a pure online format.

We follow the guidelines of the German and Austrian authorities. The 2021 Kirchberg Winterschool will take place only if the pandemic situation in Austria, Germany, and in the countries of the participants allows on-site scientific meetings (of our size) in March 2021. There might be travel restriction or mandatory tests in place at the time of the meeting.

To minimize the risk of infections during the conference we implemented several measures and changes compared to previous years:

• The number of participants is limited to 100 under the anticipated conditions.
• We offer single rooms for all participants unless double rooms are specifically requested, see next point. The Hotel Sonnalp provides discounted rates for single rooms next year, well below their normal prize.
• Double and triple rooms can be booked only by participants who mutually agree to share a room.
• The meeting will last only six days, the departure date will be Friday instead of Saturday.

J. Maultzsch (Department Physik, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, DE)
S. Reich (Fachbereich Physik, Freie Universität Berlin, DE)
A. Hirsch (Institut für Organische Chemie, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, DE)
C. Stampfer (2nd Institute of Physics A, RWTH Aachen Universität, DE)

The winterschool will provide a platform for reviewing and discussing new developments in the field of novel materials and their applications.

The scope of the winterschool covers experimental and theoretical work in the following fields:

• materials science of graphene, nanographene, and carbon nanotubes
• novel two-dimensional materials
• optics, electronics, growth, and selection of carbon nanotubes and graphene
• theory of novel materials
• applications of novel materials
• nanostructure spintronics
• topological materials
• plasmonic nanostructures
• single-molecule experiments

If you want to come to the next Kirchberg Winterschool, please, submit your abstract until 13 December 2020 23:00 CET through the website.

A new account can be created under:
https://www.iwepnm.org/new_account

Notification of acceptance is planned for 18 January 2021. The number of abstracts will be an important indication for us about your wishes and interests. Our current plans are for 100 participants, mainly on-site talks plus some video presentations, and on-site only poster presentations. In the spirit of Kirchberg, we currently do not envision a pure online format.

Invited research lectures (30 minutes, including 10 minutes for discussion) are scheduled during morning and evening sessions. Contributed abstracts covering research topics of the winterschool are scheduled as posters during our dedicated poster sessions.

The research discussed in Kirchberg will be published in a special issue of physica status solidi and other journals by Wiley-VCH. All participants are strongly encouraged to submit a contribution to this issue. Details will be announced at the meeting.

We offer single rooms for all participants unless double rooms are specifically requested. The Hotel Sonnalp will provide discounted rates for single rooms, well below their normal prize (category S). Double and triple rooms can be booked only by participants who mutually agree to share a room (categories A and B).

The accommodation fees are as follows:

• S: Single bed room at the Hotel Sonnalp or nearby hotel for 650 €.
• A: Bed in a twin room at the Hotel Sonnalp or a nearby hotel for 400 €.
• B: Bed in a three-bed room at the Hotel Sonnalp for 310 €.
• C: Single room in a nearby bed and breakfast place for 500 €.

These prices include accommodation and breakfast for the conference week. The conference fee amounts to 700 €. This includes the participation fee, the conference publication, coffee breaks, poster session, and dinner (including one beverage) at the Hotel Sonnalp during the conference week.

The additional costs for accompanying persons (i.e. persons not participating in the scientific part of the conference) are 730 € (category A), 640 € (category B).
Children between 2 and 6 years can stay for 120 €, younger children for free. Depending on availability, we might be able to offer a small number of family rooms (i.e. rooms with more than three beds).

Please note that the total fee will be due immediately after notification of acceptance.