Phortify Master Programme Scholarships - Pilot Call

Phortify Master Programme Scholarships

Phortify Master Programme Scholarships provide financial support to students who participate in the Phortify project by enrolling in one of the participating Phortify Master’s programmes offered by one of the consortium universities.

These scholarships are intended to support students’ participation in Phortify-aligned Master’s education and may contribute to costs related to study, mobility or other education-related expenses directly linked to the enrolled Master’s programme, in line with the objectives of the Phortify project.

Participating Master Programmes

Vrije Universiteit Brussel (VUB):

- Master of Science in Photonics Engineering (120 ECTS)

Ghent University (UGENT):

- Master of Science in Photonics Engineering (120 ECTS)

Politecnico di Milano (POLIMI):

- Master of Science in Engineering Physics (120 ECTS)

Eindhoven University of Technology (TU/e):

- Master of Science in Applied Physics (120 ECTS)

- Master of Science in Electrical Engineering (120 ECTS): track (1) Semicon Devices or track (2) Connected World Technologies

Warsaw University of Technology (WUT):

- Master of Science in Mechatronics (90 ECTS)

- Master of Science In Photonics (90 ECTS)

University of Eastern Finland (UEF):

- Master's Degree Programme in Photonics (120 ECTS)

Friedrich Schiller University (FSU):

- Master of Science in Photonics (120 ECTS)

- Master of Science in Quantum Science & Technology (120 ECTS)

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 (links see above).

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 a Phortify Master Programme Scholarship if they:

1. are enrolled or will be enrolled in one of the participating Phortify Master’s programmes at a consortium university
2. meet the academic and administrative admission requirements of the relevant Master's programme
3. complete at least 30 ECTS of Phortify-labelled courses during their Master’s programme

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.

Academic acceptance and programme requirements

This application concerns Phortify funding only. Applicants must apply separately to, and be admitted by, a Phortify partner university offering a Phortify-related Master’s Degree Programme. Funding will only be awarded to applicants who successfully enrol in an eligible programme, including at least 30 ECTS of Phortify-labelled courses.

Mobility activities, such as participation in joint courses, summer schools, or other Phortify-related academic activities, may form part of the study programme depending on the hosting institution, but are not in themselves a prerequisite for funding eligibility under this call.

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 Master Programme Scholarships – 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 selected Master’s programme.
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 will be awarded following a closed call procedure. Applications must be submitted by the published deadline; late submissions are not eligible.

Applications are ranked in descending order based on the total score obtained. Funding is allocated in order of merit until the available budget assigned to each partner institution under the 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 the Phortify partner institutions. 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 scholarships are communicated to the Phortify Coordinator. Aggregate data will be reported in accordance with the project’s reporting obligations.

Available funding under this call

VUB:

- Phortify Master Scholarships of € 12.000.

- Phortify Master Scholarships of € 7.200 (for EEA students only).

UGENT:

- Phortify Master Scholarships of € 12.000.

- Phortify Master Scholarships of € 7.200 (for EEA students only).

POLIMI:

- Phortify Master Scholarships of € 5.000.

TU/e:

- Phortify Master Scholarships of € 5.000.

WUT:

- Phortify Master Scholarships of € 5.000.

UEF:

- Phortify Master Scholarships of € 4.000.

FSU:

- Phortify Master Scholarships of € 11.904.

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.