Phortify Grants for Master Thesis Project - Pilot Call

Phortify Grants for Master Thesis Projects

Phortify Grants for Master Thesis Projects provide financial support to Master’s students undertaking a thesis project that is aligned with the thematic areas and objectives of the Phortify project and carried out in collaboration with an industrial or research partner of the Phortify consortium.

Under this pilot call, the grants support the carrying out of Master’s thesis projects offered by and implemented in collaboration with SMART Photonics, allowing students to gain hands-on experience in an industrial research and innovation environment while addressing real-world challenges in photonics and related digital technologies.

The grants are intended to contribute to costs directly related to the successful completion of the Master’s thesis project, including living, mobility, and other study-related expenses incurred during the thesis period, in line with the objectives of the Phortify project.

Participating partners:

SMART Photonics: https://smartphotonics.nl/

How to apply for funding

Funding opportunities will be advertised through (1) the EU Funding & Tenders Portal, (2) the official Phortify website and (3) the official Phortify partner websites.

Applications for Phortify funding must be submitted via the Phortify website. Applicants are required to consult the dedicated MyPhortify page, where all funding opportunities available under this pilot call are listed together with detailed application instructions and links to the relevant local application forms.

Nationality eligibility

1. Applicants must be nationals of an EU Member State, an associated country, or a country with which the European Union has an ongoing cooperation agreement under the Digital Europe Programme.
2. Eligible countries include, inter alia, countries participating in Digital Partnerships, Trade and Technology Councils, digital dialogues, or other forms of ongoing international cooperation with the European Commission in the field of digital technologies.

The authoritative list of eligible countries will be published as part of this call and may be updated in accordance with European Commission guidance.

Eligibility

Applicants are eligible for Phortify Grants for Master Thesis Projects if they:

1. are enrolled in one of the participating Phortify Master’s programmes at a consortium university
2. participate in the Phortify project through their enrolment in the Master's programme for which the grant is awarded

Applicants must submit the following documentation:

1. Latest official academic BSc and MSc (if applicable) transcripts demonstrating a minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) of 3.2/4.0, 16/20, or 80% (or an equivalent grading scale)
2. A Phortify-specific motivation letter, describing the applicant’s motivation for applying for Phortify funding and their alignment with the objectives of the Phortify project
3. A curriculum vitae (CV)

Applications that fail to meet the minimum eligibility requirements or that do not include the required documentation will be declared ineligible and will not be further evaluated.

Evaluation and selection

The predefined evaluation framework applicable to this call is published on the Phortify website as a dedicated evaluation framework document and applies to all partner institutions.

1.  Purpose and Scope

This description defines the evaluation framework applied to applications submitted under the Phortify Grants for Master Thesis Projects - Pilot Call

The framework ensures transparency, equal treatment of applicants, consistency across partner institutions, and alignment with the objectives of the Phortify project, including its Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) principles.

2.   Evaluation Principles

The evaluation process is based on the following principles:

1. Transparency and traceability of decisions
2. Equal and fair treatment of all applicants
3. Merit-based selection
4. Consideration of DEI objectives in line with EU guidance

3.   Evaluation Process Overview

The evaluation consists of two sequential stages:

1. Eligibility verification (pass/fail)
2. Comparative assessment and ranking

4.   Stage 1 – Eligibility Verification

Applications are checked for compliance with all eligibility requirements defined in the call text. Applicants must submit all required supporting documentation, including academic transcripts, a Phortify-specific motivation letter, and a curriculum vitae (CV).

Applications that fail to meet the eligibility requirements or that do not include the required documentation are declared ineligible and are not further evaluated.

5.   Stage 2 – Comparative Assessment

Eligible applications are assessed comparatively using the criteria below. Each criterion is scored independently on a scale from 0 to 5 points.

Evaluation Criteria

1. Academic Excellence (0/5): Academic performance, relevance of previous studies, and preparedness for the proposed Master's thesis project.
2. Motivation and Alignment with Phortify Objectives (0/5): Quality, coherence, and relevance of the motivation letter, including alignment with Phortify’s educational and societal objectives.
3. Overall Applicant Profile (0/5): Skills, experience, background, and potential contribution to the Phortify community, as reflected in the CV.

Maximum total score: 15 points.

Ranking and Allocation of Funding

Funding under this call is awarded following a rolling call procedure. Applications may be submitted at any time while the call is open. Applications are evaluated at regular intervals, typically every 2 to 3 months, or earlier if the number of submitted applications or budget availability so requires.

Following each evaluation round, eligible applications are ranked in order of merit, and funding is allocated until the available budget under this call is exhausted. In cases of oversubscription, priority is given to higher-ranked applications. Where applications receive identical or comparable evaluation results, tie-break rules promoting underrepresented groups, including women and students from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds, will be applied in line with Phortify DEI objectives.

Selection Committees

Applications are evaluated by local selection committees established by SMART Photonics, in coordination with the Phortify Consortium. Committees apply this evaluation framework consistently and impartially. Members must declare any conflicts of interest and ensure appropriate mitigation measures.

Documentation and transparency

Evaluation outcomes and funding decisions are documented by the partner institutions. Awarded grants are communicated to the Phortify Coordinator. Aggregate data will be reported in accordance with the project’s reporting obligations.

Available funding under this call

Type and duration of financial support

Under this pilot call, up to two (2) Master's thesis projects may be supported, subject to budget availability and the outcome of the evaluation process.

Financial support under this call is provided in the form of lump-sum grants not linked to duration. Lump-sum amounts are intended to contribute to expenses related to activities carried out within the supported Master’s thesis projects, such as travel, accommodation, and subsistence.

SMART PHOTONICS

Phortify Grants for Master Thesis Projects of €3.150 - lump sum not linked to duration

Financial support may only be used for the activities listed above; no other activities are eligible.

Disclaimer:

This call (as well as the financial support provided through it) is NOT an EU action. This call is launched solely by Phortify. The financial support to the selected successful applicants will be provided directly by Phortify in its own name and under its own responsibility. Phortify’s responsibility includes the preparation and drafting of this call as well as the selection of successful applicants who will receive the said financial support. The publication of this call in the EU Funding & Tenders Portal is made solely for information purposes with the aim of increasing the visibility of this call to the general public, including to potential applicants (i.e. students). The said publication shall not be construed as direct or indirect approval of the content and conditions of this call by the relevant EU authorities or as any form of waiver from the above-described responsibility of Phortify.