The EMERGE European University Alliance has opened its first Joint Research Call, providing funding for collaborative research projects developed across its nine partner universities.
Open from 15 September until 15 November 2026, the call supports research teams working across institutions, disciplines and national borders to address contemporary societal, scientific and industrial challenges through the EMERGE research framework. Up to six projects will receive funding of up to €10,000 each.
The call forms part of EMERGE Work Package 6, Knowledge co-creation to address the challenges of our territories. It reflects the Alliance’s commitment to placing societal and territorial engagement at the heart of research and to developing research collaborations that respond to the needs of communities across Europe’s geographical margins.
Research proposals may address any academic discipline, provided they align with at least one of EMERGE’s four thematic research clusters:
- Inclusion and Solidarity — social inclusion and cohesion, access to quality education, gender equality, decent work and reducing inequalities.
- Sustainability and Digital Transition — circular economy, innovation and infrastructure, sustainable cities and communities, and responsible production and consumption.
- Resilience and Wellbeing — active European citizenship, health and wellbeing, and peace, justice and strong institutions.
- Plurilingualism and Multiculturalism — language and culturally sensitive education, intercultural competence, and the preservation of minority and heritage languages and cultures.
Building research partnerships across the Alliance
The Joint Research Call is designed to support both new and established collaborations between EMERGE universities. Proposals must involve researchers from at least two EMERGE member universities, while projects involving three or more institutions will receive particular consideration.
The call is open to researchers and academics who hold a PhD, as well as early-stage researchers and PhD candidates affiliated with an EMERGE university. Each proposal must designate a Main Researcher and a Local Research Coordinator at each participating university. Both roles require a PhD and an employment contract with the respective EMERGE institution.
EMERGE also encourages the participation of early-stage researchers, PhD candidates and students as project team members. External organisations are also encouraged to participate, although they are not eligible to act as Main Researchers or receive direct funding through the call.
Funded activities may include exploratory workshops for the preparation of future external funding proposals, innovation projects with external partners, conferences and workshop series, networking activities, and collaborative research stays for researchers and doctoral students. Proposals should include a clear sustainability plan showing how the collaboration will continue beyond the funded project period.
The initiative therefore serves as more than a short-term funding opportunity. It is designed to create the conditions for longer-term research partnerships within EMERGE and to support future applications for national and European research funding. This approach reflects the Alliance’s wider research strategy, which places emphasis on multidisciplinary, international, challenge-driven and community-engaged knowledge co-creation.
Funding and timeline
The 2026 call will fund a maximum of six projects, with up to €10,000 available per project. Projects may run for up to 11 months, with an expected start date of 1 January 2027 and a latest end date of 30 November 2027. The final project report will be due by 31 December 2027.
Applications must be submitted in English through the online application form by 15 November 2026 at 23:59 CET. Applicants must also provide letters of intent where relevant, an abbreviated CV of no more than two pages for each applicant, and a budget form.
The selection process includes an eligibility screening by the nine EMERGE WP6 representatives, followed by evaluation by an EMERGE Evaluation Committee. Proposals will be assessed on objectives and methodology, novelty, implementation, and expected results and sustainability. The EMERGE Steering Committee will make the final funding decision.
A shared research agenda for EMERGE
The Joint Research Call builds on EMERGE’s broader ambition to strengthen research collaboration between its nine universities and develop a shared research environment across Europe’s geographical margins.
The Alliance’s research strategy focuses on knowledge co-creation involving universities, communities, industry, public authorities and civil society. The EMERGE Research Catalogue supports this approach by mapping research capacities across the partner universities and helping researchers identify potential expertise and collaboration opportunities.
The call is also part of the longer-term development of the EMERGE Research Campus, a shared environment for research resources, activities, events and collaboration across the Alliance. The original EMERGE project proposal identifies the annual joint research call as a core activity under WP6, alongside research fellowships, the EMERGE Scientific Forum and training for researchers.
Apply now
Researchers interested in developing a collaborative project with colleagues from across the EMERGE Alliance are invited to review the full call conditions and submit their proposal before the deadline.
Application details, the full call document, the EMERGE Research Catalogue and the application form are available on the EMERGE research webpage.
Visit the EMERGE Research page and apply
For questions about eligibility, budgets or the application process, applicants are encouraged to contact their EMERGE Local Office. The call document also provides institutional contacts for all nine partner universities.
The Joint Research Call gives researchers across the Alliance a concrete mechanism to build partnerships, share expertise and develop research with relevance beyond individual institutions.