The Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), Trieste, Italy, will organize a School on Hands-On Research in Complex Systems from 18 – 29 July 2016. This is the 8th edition of a school to provide interactive experiences with hands-on research involving table-top experiments with computer data acquisition and computational modeling. An intensive programme of laboratory experiences, mathematical modeling, and lectures will focus on complex systems in the physical and life sciences. This will be integrated by development of professional skills. The faculty are eminent scientists who have conducted frontier table-top research published in leading international scientific journals. Participants will take part in most of the experimental stations, rotating daily. For the first time, in this edition we will propose conducting research projects beyond the duration of the school.