Call now open for the ECIU Research Seed Programme 2026

The programme offers funding to initiate new research collaborations or strengthen existing ones in seven research fields: Circular Economy, Citizen Science, Digital Transformation, Energy and Sustainability, Health and Well-being, Resilient Communities, and Transport and Mobility.

There are two lines of action: combined mobility to create new networks (SP1) and seed projects for existing consortia (SP2). Researchers from universities participating in the Seed Programme are eligible for funding; these include the Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, ​​Dublin City University (Ireland), Kaunas University of Technology (Lithuania), Tampere University (Finland), Lodz University of Technology (Poland), the University of Aveiro (Portugal), and the University of Twente (Netherlands). The National Institute of Applied Sciences (France) participates in the SP2 category.

The call is open to both established researchers and early-career researchers. Furthermore, the participation of external partners is encouraged, who, in some cases, may also receive funding. To submit a proposal, teams must be formed with researchers from at least three ECIU member institutions, and the principal investigator must be affiliated with the coordinating institution and hold a PhD. Those interested in finding collaborators can do so through the ECIU University Research & Innovation Hub, a platform that also provides up-to-date information on funding opportunities. Registration forms can be accessed here.

Proposals must be submitted using the online form for SP1 applications or the form for SP2. Results will be announced by 10 March 2027, and selected projects must commence by 15 June 2027, with a maximum duration of 24 months. Upon completion, each project is expected to have a clear roadmap for securing external funding.

Projects that received funding in 2024 or 2025 cannot participate in this edition.

In addition to the Seed Programme, the ECIU offers mobility grants of up to 5,000 euros for research stays at member universities, through the  ECIU Researcher Mobility Fund. The UAB will soon publish the call for funding stays during 2027.

For more information, please contact the programme coordinator by sending an email.

More information: ECIU Seed Programme