The graduate program in Biology of Extreme Environments is the first of its kind both in Italy and in Europe and aims to prepare the next generation of biologists that will work to unravel the role of extreme environments in controlling planet habitability, contribute to biogeochemical cycling, provide new biotechnological resources and contribute to space exploration. To reach these goals we are training the explorers of tomorrow, integrating multiple disciplines, focusing on hard to ask big questions and providing hand-on training and research experience. The program has found extensive support from National and International biotechnological and biomedical companies, research institutes and space agencies, including the International Society for Extremophiles, the Earth-Life Science Institute, the Agenzia Spaziale Italiana and the NASA Astrobiology program.