Overview
Cascade funding under the AI4CI project (Grant Agreement No. 101123524) provides up to 50 tuition fee waivers for modules of the continuing education M.Sc. Artificial Intelligence for Connected Industries at Ulm University, with a total call budget of €60,000 and each waiver covering 80% of a module fee (approx. 408–€1,200). Waivers apply only to modules taken in the Summer term 2026 (April–September) and are awarded per module with a maximum of one waiver per student per module. Eligible applicants are admitted and enrolled AI4CI students who are citizens of EU Member States, EEA countries, or countries associated with the Digital Europe Programme, and applications require proof of nationality and consent to student-data access. The call opens 3 April 2026 and closes 15 June 2026 at 17:00 Brussels time, with evaluation completed within 10 working days after the deadline and publication of results by 31 July 2026; queries may be directed to melina.klepsch@uni-ulm.de.
Highlights
What is funded
Summary
Up to 50 fee waivers for individual modules of the continuing education master programme Artificial Intelligence for Connected Industries (AI4CI) at Ulm University for the Summer term 2026 (April–September). Each waiver covers 80% of a single module tuition fee; waivers apply only to the semester in which the module is taken.
Total budget and waiver size:Total funding available €60,000. Module fees range from 525 to €1,500, so individual fee waivers range approximately 408 to €1,200.
- 1Who can apply: admitted and enrolled students of the AI4CI master programme at Ulm University, registered for the summer semester 2026, and citizens of EU Member States, EEA countries, or countries associated with the Digital Europe Programme.
- 2Scope: maximum 50 module-level waivers; students may apply for multiple different modules; each module can receive a waiver once per student.
- 3Selection: applications evaluated and ranked per module by the Study Programme Committee using curriculum-based points; tie-breakers give priority to women and gender minorities, applicants with disabilities, and caregivers.
| Opening date | 03 April 2026 |
|---|---|
| Deadline (single-stage) | 15 June 2026, 17:00 Brussels time |
| Project / Grant | AI4CI — Grant Agreement 101123524 |
| Number of waivers | Up to 50 |
| Total funding | €60,000 |
| Waiver coverage | 80% of module fee (≈408–€1,200) |
Application requires a completed form listing modules to be attended and for which a waiver is requested, proof of nationality, and consent to access student records; supporting documents may be submitted for diversity considerations.
Outcome and publication:evaluations completed within 10 working days after the deadline; applicants informed within five working days after evaluation; final list published by 31 July 2026.
Contact:Melina Klepsch — melina.klepsch@uni-ulm.de. Apply and find full call details on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal AI4CI call page.
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Breakdown
Call title:AI4CI - Fee waivers for Ulm University. Project: Artificial Intelligence for Connected Industries. Grant agreement number: 101123524. Call type: Cascade funding under DIGITAL-2022. Opening date: 03 April 2026. Deadline (single-stage): 15 June 2026, 17:00 Brussels time. Total funding available for this call: €60,000.00. Up to 50 individual module fee waivers will be awarded for modules taken in the Summer term 2026 (April–September 2026).
Who can apply and eligible applicant types
This call is targeted at students enrolled in the continuing education master’s programme Artificial Intelligence for Connected Industries at Ulm University (UUlm). Eligible applicant types: individuals who are admitted and enrolled students of the specified master's programme. More broadly, the eligible applicant category is: individual students registered in the UUlM AI4CI master programme. Applicants must also be citizens of an EU Member State, an EEA country, or a country associated with the Digital Europe Programme List of third countries associated to Digital Programme 1.
Funding mechanism and scope
Funding Type:The financial mechanism is fee waivers (financial support to third parties) implemented by the project beneficiary (Ulm University). This operates as grants/tuition fee reductions for specific modules.
Nature of support:Financial (money): tuition fee waivers reducing module fees by 80 % for eligible module registrations. Non-monetary: administrative support to apply and access student records via consent for internal systems.
Key financial details
Total budget dedicated to this cascade call:€60,000.00. Up to 50 module fee waivers will be awarded. Each waiver covers 80 % of the tuition fee of a single module. Module fees range from €525 to €1,500 depending on ECTS and module characteristics, so individual fee waivers will cover between €408 and €1,200 per module.
| Item | Value / Notes |
|---|---|
| Total call budget | €60,000.00 |
| Maximum number of fee waivers | 50 (module-level waivers) |
| Waiver coverage per module | 80 % of module tuition fee |
| Module fee range | €525 to €1,500 |
| Resulting waiver range | Approx. €408 to €1,200 |
| Semester covered | Summer term 2026 (April–September 2026) |
Eligibility criteria (detailed)
- 1Be a citizen of an EU Member State, an EEA country, or a country associated with the Digital Europe Programme 1.
- 2Be admitted and enrolled in the master’s programme Artificial Intelligence for Connected Industries at Ulm University.
- 3Be registered as a student of the programme in the summer semester 2026.
- 4Apply only for modules that are part of the official AI4CI curriculum and that can still be credited toward the final grade and degree.
- 5A fee waiver may be granted only once per module per student.
Consortium requirement and geographic scope
Consortium requirement:single applicants only (individual student-level applications). Beneficiary geographic eligibility: citizens of EU Member States, EEA countries and countries associated to the Digital Europe Programme; enrolment must be at Ulm University (Germany).
Target sector and project maturity
Target sector:education and digital skills with a focus on artificial intelligence and related computer science domains for connected industries. Project stage: education/upskilling and professional reskilling; the support targets individuals in a continuing education master’s programme (no research project stage required).
Application and submission process
Application model:single-stage open call to admitted students (cascade funding managed by Ulm University). Applicants must submit a completed application form by the deadline of 15 June 2026, 17:00 (Brussels time). Ulm University ensures notified students receive information on availability, eligibility, procedure and deadline.
Required application documents:Completed application form indicating modules to be attended in Summer semester 2026 and modules for which a fee waiver is requested; proof of nationality; consent for the programme administration to access student data in the HIS student administration system and App4Master admission system. Applicants may optionally submit supporting documentation relevant to diversity criteria (see tie-breaking).
Evaluation, ranking and award procedure
Evaluation is by the Study Programme Committee of the AI4CI programme and the talent scouting team at Ulm University. Evaluation of applications will occur within 10 working days after the application deadline. Each module application is evaluated independently; the 50 highest-ranked module applications receive a fee waiver; remaining eligible applications are placed on a reserve list. Applicants will be informed of results within five working days after evaluation.
Evaluation criteria and scoring:Scoring is based on the curriculum category of the module. Points per category: A2 Mandatory Area – Artificial Intelligence: 3 points; B1 Systems and Networks: 2 points; B2 Automatics and Robotics: 2 points; B3 Processes and Data Management: 2 points; B4 Free Elective Module: 1 point. Maximum score per module application is 3 points. Module area definitions are taken from the Subject-Specific Study and Examination Regulations of the AI4CI programme (10 June 2025) and related documents.
Tie-breaking and diversity considerations:When multiple applications have the same score the following criteria apply sequentially: priority to women and gender minorities; then applicants with disabilities; then applicants with family responsibilities or caregiving duties. Supporting documentation may be submitted. If applications remain tied after those criteria, a random draw conducted by the Study Programme Committee and talent scouting team will determine the final ranking.
Award implementation, double funding and termination
Selected students receive an updated tuition fee notice reflecting the 80 % reduction for the respective module. Receiving a fee waiver does not preclude applying for other scholarships unless the other programme conditions forbid it. Double funding from EU sources for the same purpose is not permitted. If a student receives additional funding for the same purpose, they must provide a written declaration confirming the absence of EU double funding. Identified double funding may result in reduction or withdrawal of the fee waiver.
- 1Fee waiver may be withdrawn if the student withdraws from the programme.
- 2Fee waiver may be withdrawn if the student takes academic leave or transfers to another study programme.
- 3Fee waiver may be withdrawn for violations of academic integrity or ethical standards.
- 4Students may voluntarily withdraw from the fee waiver by written request; unused funding may be reallocated in a future AI4CI call.
Appeals, publication of results and timelines
Appeals are possible only for procedural errors or factual inaccuracies. Appeals must be submitted in writing within five working days after notification of results and must clearly state the alleged procedural error or incorrect data. The Study Programme Committee will decide within 10 working days. The final list of fee waiver recipients will be published no later than 31 July 2026. Personal data handling will comply with applicable data protection regulations.
Application stages, co-funding and success rates
Application stages:1 (single-stage open application and evaluation). Co-funding requirement: none required from applicants; the fee waiver is a direct tuition reduction paid by the project beneficiary. Success rates: not numerically published; maximum of 50 module-level waivers available and selection is competitive and ranked by module category and diversity tie-breakers. Actual success rate depends on number of eligible module applications submitted; applicants placed beyond top 50 will be on a reserve list.
Application form structure and templates
Applicants must submit a completed application form. While the portal does not publish a full template in this text, required fields and structure are specified: applicant identification (student details), proof of nationality, list of modules to attend in Summer semester 2026, indication of modules for which fee waiver is requested, consent for student-data access (HIS and App4Master), and optional attachments for diversity-related supporting documentation. Applicants should ensure one module application per module entry, and include supporting documents for disability, caregiving responsibilities or gender minority status if requesting tie-break consideration.
Contact and further information
Contact for questions about this cascade call or the AI4CI programme:Melina Klepsch, melina.klepsch@uni-ulm.de. Disclaimer: Financial support to third parties under this call is provided by AI4CI project beneficiaries under their responsibility. Publication on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal is for information only and does not imply Commission approval of content. Recipients of the support are not parties to the Grant Agreement; beneficiaries remain responsible to the granting authority for proper use of funds.
Mentioned countries and geographic references
Explicitly mentioned geographic/eligibility scope:EU Member States, EEA countries, and countries associated with the Digital Europe Programme. Programme location and implementing beneficiary: Ulm University, Germany.
Target disciplines and module categories
The call supports advanced digital and AI competencies within the AI4CI curriculum. Module curriculum categories and their evaluation points: A2 Mandatory Area – Artificial Intelligence (3 points); B1 Systems and Networks (2 points); B2 Automatics and Robotics (2 points); B3 Processes and Data Management (2 points); B4 Free Elective Module (1 point). These areas are defined by the programme's study and examination regulations (10 June 2025).
Comprehensive summary
This opportunity is a cascade funding call run by Ulm University within the EU-funded AI4CI project to award up to 50 module-level tuition fee waivers for students of the continuing education master’s programme Artificial Intelligence for Connected Industries for the Summer term 2026. The scheme reduces tuition fees by 80 % per awarded module, with total call funding of €60,000. Applicants must be admitted and enrolled students of the AI4CI master programme, registered for the summer semester 2026, and citizens of eligible countries (EU, EEA or Digital Programme-associated countries). Applications are single-stage, ranked by module curriculum category points, with diversity and social criteria used as tie-breakers. Outcomes will be communicated promptly after evaluation and the final list published by 31 July 2026. The fee waiver mechanism aims to increase accessibility, promote upskilling and reskilling in AI and related fields, and support diversity and inclusion in digital education. For queries contact Melina Klepsch at melina.klepsch@uni-ulm.de.
Footnotes
- 1List of countries associated to the Digital Europe Programme and guidance on third country participation is available at the European Commission guidance page List of third countries associated to Digital Programme.
Short Summary
Impact Increase accessibility to advanced digital and AI skills, support upskilling/reskilling for professionals, and promote diversity and inclusion in AI education. | Impact | Increase accessibility to advanced digital and AI skills, support upskilling/reskilling for professionals, and promote diversity and inclusion in AI education. |
Applicant Applicants should have a technical/engineering or IT background with capacity for part-time master-level study in English (B2) and ability to follow AI-, systems-, robotics- and data-focused modules. | Applicant | Applicants should have a technical/engineering or IT background with capacity for part-time master-level study in English (B2) and ability to follow AI-, systems-, robotics- and data-focused modules. |
Developments Short-term funding for module-level training in Artificial Intelligence for Connected Industries, including AI, systems and networks, automatics and robotics, and processes and data management. | Developments | Short-term funding for module-level training in Artificial Intelligence for Connected Industries, including AI, systems and networks, automatics and robotics, and processes and data management. |
Applicant Type Individuals (admitted and enrolled students in the specified continuing-education master’s programme). | Applicant Type | Individuals (admitted and enrolled students in the specified continuing-education master’s programme). |
Consortium Single applicants only (no consortium required; applications are individual student-level requests). | Consortium | Single applicants only (no consortium required; applications are individual student-level requests). |
Funding Amount Total call budget €60,000 for up to 50 module-level fee waivers; each waiver covers 80% of a module tuition fee (approx. €408–€1,200 per module depending on module fee). | Funding Amount | Total call budget €60,000 for up to 50 module-level fee waivers; each waiver covers 80% of a module tuition fee (approx. €408–€1,200 per module depending on module fee). |
Countries Applicants must be citizens of EU Member States, EEA countries, or countries associated to the Digital Europe Programme, and enrolment is at an implementing institution in Germany for the Summer 2026 term. | Countries | Applicants must be citizens of EU Member States, EEA countries, or countries associated to the Digital Europe Programme, and enrolment is at an implementing institution in Germany for the Summer 2026 term. |
Industry Digital Europe Programme targeting education/digital skills with focus on Artificial Intelligence for Connected Industries (AI and related digital technologies). | Industry | Digital Europe Programme targeting education/digital skills with focus on Artificial Intelligence for Connected Industries (AI and related digital technologies). |
Additional Web Data
This cascade funding opportunity under the AI4CI project (Grant Agreement No. 101123524) offers fee waivers for modules in the continuing education Masters programme Artificial Intelligence for Connected Industries at Ulm University, Germany. The call provides up to 50 fee waivers totaling maximum €60,000 for modules in Summer term 2026 (April-September 2026), covering 80% of tuition fees to enhance accessibility to advanced digital skills, support upskilling, and promote diversity.
Key Dates
Opening date:3 April 2026. Application deadline: 15 June 2026, 17:00 Brussels time. Single-stage submission. Evaluation within 10 working days post-deadline, results notification within 5 working days thereafter. Final list of recipients published by 31 July 2026.
Funding Details
Total Budget:€60,000 for up to 50 fee waivers.
Fee Waiver Value:80% of module tuition fees, ranging from 408 to €1,200 per module (module fees: 525 to €1,500, depending on ECTS credits, lab time, and tutoring).
Scope:Waivers apply only to modules taken in Summer semester 2026. Multiple waivers possible for different modules if ranking permits. One waiver per module per student maximum.
Eligibility Criteria
- Citizen of an EU Member State, EEA country, or country associated to the Digital Europe Programme Link Title.
- Admitted and enrolled in the AI4CI Masters programme at Ulm University for Summer semester 2026.
- Modules must be part of AI4CI curriculum and creditable towards final degree.
- Proof of nationality required.
Note:Semester fee of approximately €172 is not covered and must be paid separately by all enrolled students.
Application Procedure
- 1Submit completed application form specifying modules attended and waivers requested.
- 2Provide proof of nationality.
- 3Give consent for programme administration to access student data in HIS and App4Master systems.
- 4Optionally include supporting documents for diversity criteria.
Ulm University informs all admitted students about the call. Applications due by 15 June 2026.
Evaluation and Selection
Evaluated independently per module by the AI4CI Study Programme Committee and talent scouting team. Top 50 ranked applications awarded; others on reserve list.
Scoring Criteria (per module, max 3 points):
- A2 Mandatory Area – Artificial Intelligence: 3 points.
- B1 Systems and Networks: 2 points.
- B2 Automatics and Robotics: 2 points.
- B3 Processes and Data Management: 2 points.
- B4 Free Elective Module: 1 point.
Module categories defined in Subject-Specific Study and Examination Regulations (10 June 2025).1
Tie-Breaking and Diversity:
- 1Women and gender minorities.
- 2Applicants with disabilities.
- 3Applicants with family responsibilities or caregiving duties.
- 4Random draw if still tied.
Award and Implementation
Successful applicants receive updated tuition fee notice with 80% reduction. Compatible with other scholarships unless prohibited; no double EU funding allowed. Declaration required if additional funding received; waiver may be adjusted or withdrawn if double funding found.
Appeals and Termination
Appeals for procedural errors or factual inaccuracies must be written, within 5 working days of results, decided within 10 working days.
- Waiver withdrawn if student withdraws from programme, takes leave, transfers, or violates academic integrity.
- Voluntary withdrawal possible; unused funds reallocated to future calls.
Programme Context
AI4CI is a part-time, international Masters (M.Sc.) in Artificial Intelligence for Connected Industries, co-funded by Digital Europe Programme (2023-2027). Offered at Ulm University and partners in France, Romania, Spain, Ukraine. Targets professionals in tech, IT, engineering for upskilling in AI, automation, networks, IoT, robotics. Admission requires 210 ECTS + 1 year experience or 180 ECTS + 2 years; English B2. Applications for Summer 2026 via Ulm University portal.
Contact and Resources
For queries:Melina Klepsch (melina.klepsch@uni-ulm.de). Primary source: EU Funding & Tenders Portal. Programme website: AI4CI.eu. Ulm application: Ulm University Application.
Footnotes
- 1Regulations available via Ulm University AI4CI programme administration.
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