Phortify Mobility Grants - Pilot Call

Phortify Mobility Grants

Phortify Mobility Grants provide financial support to students and doctoral candidates participating in short-term mobility activities such as workshops, summer schools, conferences, and other events relevant to the thematic areas and objectives of the Phortify project.

Supported activities are learning- and training-oriented, contribute to skills development in photonics and related digital technologies, and are implemented under the responsibility of Phortify partner institutions.

Participating partners:

Ghent University (UGENT):

- Master of Science in Photonics Engineering (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 and track (2) Connected World Technologies

Warsaw University of Technology (WUT):

- Master of Science in Mechatronics (90 ECTS)

- Master of Science In Photonics (90 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.

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

Under this call, Phortify Mobility Grants may be awarded to students belonging to one of the following categories:

1. Bachelor and Master students
2. PhD students enrolled at a Phortify university, provided that the mobility activity is directly linked to their academic training and teaching activities

In all cases, eligible applicants must be students at the time of the mobility and the mobility must:

1. be directly related to the thematic areas and objectives of the Phortify project
2. contribute to the academic and professional development of the student
3. be carried out during the student’s period of study
4. be implemented under the responsibility of a Phortify partner institution

General university staff members who are not enrolled as students or doctoral candidates are not eligible under this call.

Applicants must submit the following documentation:

1. Latest official academic BSc and MSc (if applicable) transcripts
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 is applied by all partners for all applications under this call.

1.   Purpose and Scope

This description defines the evaluation framework applied to applications submitted under the Phortify Mobility Grants – 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 mobility.
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 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 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

Financial support under this call is provided in the form of lump-sum grants. Lump-sum amounts not linked to duration are established on the basis of estimated actual costs and are intended to contribute to expenses related to participation in the supported mobility activity, such as travel, accommodation, subsistence, and, where applicable, registration or participation fees.

UGENT:

- Phortify Mobility Grants for joining a selected event, workshop or summer school of € 1.000 - lump sum not linked to duration

TU/e:

- Phortify Mobility Grants for joining a selected international event, workshop or summer school of € 2.000 - lump sum not linked to duration

- Phortify Mobility Grants for joining a selected national or international event of € 500 - lump sum not linked to duration

WUT:

- Phortify Mobility Grants for joining a selected event, workshop or summer school of € 2.000 - lump sum not linked to duration

FSU:

- Phortify Mobility Grant for participation in the Jena Quantum Hackathon or the DokDok conference 2026 of € 800 - 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.