Open calls › Digital Europe Programme
Phortify Grants for Master Thesis Projects - Pilot Call
Digital Europe Programme · DIGITAL-2024-ADVANCED-DIGITAL-07-KEYCAPACITY
Lump-sum grants for Master's students carrying out photonics thesis projects with SMART Photonics under the Phortify network.
What is this call about?
The pilot call funds Master's thesis projects in photonics carried out with the industrial partner SMART Photonics. It is aimed at students enrolled in participating Phortify Master's programmes, with particular attention to groups underrepresented in STEM.
What does this call fund?
Scope
Phortify is a European photonics education network whose funding framework aims to widen participation in photonics, particularly among groups underrepresented in STEM. This pilot call supports Master's thesis projects offered by and carried out in collaboration with SMART Photonics, giving students hands-on experience of industrial research and innovation on real-world challenges in photonics and related digital technologies.
Eligible costs
The lump sum contributes to costs directly linked to completing the thesis, such as travel, accommodation, subsistence, living and other study-related expenses during the thesis period. No other activities are eligible.
Funding
Up to two thesis projects may be supported, each with a lump sum of €3,150 not linked to duration, subject to budget availability and evaluation results.
Selection
Applications pass a pass/fail eligibility check and are then ranked on academic excellence, motivation and alignment with Phortify objectives, and overall applicant profile (each scored 0 to 5, maximum 15 points). Funding follows a rolling procedure with evaluation rounds typically every two to three months; where scores are tied, tie-break rules favour underrepresented groups, including women and students from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds.
Application
Applications are submitted via the Phortify website, with transcripts, a Phortify-specific motivation letter and a CV. Transcripts are expected to show a minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.2/4.0, 16/20 or 80%, or equivalent.
What are the key facts?
- Topic budget
- €6,300
- Call code
- DIGITAL-2024-ADVANCED-DIGITAL-07-KEYCAPACITY
- Programme
- Digital Europe Programme
- Funder
- Phortify (the call is not an EU action; support is paid directly by Phortify)
- Eligible applicants
- Master's students enrolled in a participating Phortify Master's programme at a consortium university
- Funding per project
- €3,150 lump sum, not linked to duration
- Expected number of projects
- up to 2
Who can apply for this call?
- Students enrolled in one of the participating Phortify Master's programmes at a consortium university, taking part in Phortify through that enrolment
- Nationals of an EU Member State, an associated country, or a country with which the EU has an ongoing cooperation agreement under the Digital Europe Programme (for example through Digital Partnerships, Trade and Technology Councils or digital dialogues); the authoritative country list is published with the call
- Minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.2/4.0, 16/20 or 80% (or equivalent)
Check your eligibility and how your project fits
In your free account, we check the eligibility conditions against the call documents for your organisation and assess how well your project fits this call.
When is the deadline?
Rolling call with applications accepted while the call is open; the deadline is 3 February 2027.
Interested in this call? Summary written with AI from the official call documents. Details can differ, so check the official call page before you apply. Read the official call documents before you decide. The official text is always binding.
Source: the official call page and the official call documents. Always check them before you apply. Official call page Last updated 16 October 2026.