AI4CI Scholarship Call (Cnam en Grand-Est, France)

Cascade funding scholarship under the AI4CI project (Grant Agreement 101123524, co‑funded by the Digital Europe Programme) offered by Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers en Grand‑Est (Mulhouse, France), providing nine fixed scholarships of €3,000 each (total budget €27,000) to students in the AI4CI Master’s programme promotion 2025–2027. The call opens 12 February 2026 and closes 17 April 2026 at 01:00 Brussels time, with scholarship payments planned in three instalments (June 2026, October 2026, June 2027). Eligible applicants are students enrolled in the AI4CI Master at Cnam Grand‑Est who are citizens of EU/EEA countries or countries associated to the Digital Europe Programme, and applications must include a motivation letter and identity document. The scholarships are provided by AI4CI beneficiaries in their own name and under their responsibility and should not be presented as direct EU funding.

What it funds

Purpose and allowed costs

Scholarships to increase access to the Artificial Intelligence for Connected Industries master at Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers en Grand Est (CGE), Mulhouse. Funds may be used for study-related costs: hardware/software, living and travel costs, additional training or information sources, and other study expenses. Visibility of scholarship receipt is required by beneficiaries.

Total budget and number of awards:Total cascade funding available €27,000. Call text refers to 9 scholarship grants; selection procedure and later sections indicate up to 7 scholarships may be awarded. Individual award: fixed maximum of €3,000 per student for the full 2-year study period, paid in three instalments (June 2026, October 2026, June 2027).

1. 1Who can apply: admitted students in the AI4CI master (promotion 2025-2027) at Cnam Grand-Est in Mulhouse who are citizens of the EU, listed EEA countries or countries associated to the Digital Europe Programme.
2. 2Deadline: single-stage call, applications accepted until 17 April 2026 (01:00 Brussels time).
3. 3Selection: study programme committee ranks applicants using documented criteria (priority for disadvantaged backgrounds, contributions to digital skills activities) and publishes results; appeals process available.

Application requirements:motivation statement describing planned use of the scholarship and contribution to upskilling; copy of identity document proving nationality; optional evidence of achievements. Eligibility and ranking prioritise economic or health-related disadvantages and demonstrated engagement in advanced digital-skill activities.

Contact for queries:Stéphane JEANGERARD — stephane.jeangerard@lecnam.net. Apply as instructed by the programme management and within the deadlines published on the call page AI4CI Scholarship Call. ¹

Footnotes

1. 1This is a cascade funding call published for information; financial support is provided by the beneficiaries in their own name and under their responsibility. The publication on the EU portal does not imply EU approval of the call content.

This cascade funding scholarship call supports students enrolled in the Artificial Intelligence for Connected Industries master's degree at Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers en Grand Est (Cnam Grand-Est, Mulhouse, France). It aims to increase accessibility of master's studies in advanced digital skills, promote higher-level skills, and foster equality and diversity in computer science. The AI4CI project is co-funded by the European Union under Grant Agreement No. 101123524 DIGITAL-2022. The financial support to third parties (FSTP) is provided by AI4CI beneficiaries in their own name and under their sole responsibility, not directly by the EU.

Official call page:AI4CI Scholarship Call listing on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal: AI4CI Scholarship Call

Key Facts

Eligibility and Scope

Eligible Applicant Types

Individuals only. Specifically, students accepted into and enrolled in the AI4CI master’s programme Artificial Intelligence for Connected Industries at Cnam Grand-Est (Mulhouse, France), included on the programme’s official student list, and belonging to the 2025–2027 cohort (promotion 2025–2027).

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility)

Citizens of the European Union, listed EEA countries, or countries associated to the Digital Europe Programme. The scholarship is tied to study at Cnam Grand-Est in Mulhouse, France.

Target Sector

Education and advanced digital skills with a focus on Information and Communication Technologies and Artificial Intelligence for connected industries and Industry 4.0 contexts.

Funding Modality and Support

Funding Type

Scholarship provided through cascade funding (financial support to third parties under the AI4CI project). This is non-repayable financial support to students for study-related costs.

Nature of Support

Money. Beneficiaries receive cash scholarship funds to cover eligible study-related expenses.

Funding Amount and Payments

• Per-student scholarship: €3,000 total covering the full two-year study period, corresponding to the programme’s tuition fees.
• Disbursement schedule: three instalments planned in June 2026, October 2026, and June 2027, conditional on continued eligibility and academic progression.
• Total call budget: €27,000, intended to fund 9 scholarships of €3,000 each.

What the Scholarship Covers

• Hardware or software necessary for study.
• Living and travel costs necessary to assure study availability.
• Acquisition of additional training or information sources and improvement of necessary competencies.
• Other study-related expenses.
• Visibility obligations apply upon scholarship receipt (beneficiaries should acknowledge the scholarship as instructed; the funding must not be presented as directly provided by the EU as per FSTP rules).

Application, Selection, and Timeline

Application Type and Stages

Open call, single-stage. Accepted students are informed about the call and must submit a complete application with supporting documents by the deadline. Evaluation is conducted by the programme’s study committee after the submission deadline.

Required Application Documents

• Application statement: concise motivation and plan describing how the scholarship will be used and how it will contribute to upskilling in advanced digital skills (mandatory).
• Copy of identity document indicating date of birth and nationality (mandatory).
• Optional evidence of achievements or links to data sources illustrating achievements (optional; relevant for scoring under contribution to digital skills criterion).

Selection Process and Evaluation

• Pre-notification: By 12 February 2026, the Regional Director and Project Manager inform all accepted students about eligibility, criteria, requirements, and timelines.
• Submission deadline: 17 April 2026, 01:00 Brussels time.
• Evaluation window: Within 30 working days after the deadline, the study programme committee assesses applications.
• Ranking: Applicants are scored and ranked based on the criteria below. Best-ranked candidates who fully meet requirements are selected; others go to a reserve list.
• Notification: Within 30 days of the committee meeting, all applicants are informed about decisions.
• Post-selection compliance within 10 working days: Selected students must sign a scholarship award agreement including consent to personal data processing for scholarship management and marketing, and compliance with legal obligations such as ethics and record-keeping; and provide bank details for transfer.

Scoring Criteria and Weights

• Equal opportunities priority (weight 1 each sub-criterion):
• • Economic barriers: inclusion of long-term unemployed or people on social assistance; proof such as a tax form showing income under €35,000 per year, or for French residents, CAF certificate with quotient familial lower than €500.
• • Health problems or disability: documented chronic illness, psychological disorders, or disabilities affecting mobility; proof via disability card or recognized institutional document.
• Contribution to advanced digital skills over the past 3 years (weight 3; up to 1 point maximum across sub-activities; not cumulative):
• • Up to 1 point: participation and achievement at an international scientific conference.
• • Up to 1 point: participation and achievement in a hackathon related to advanced digital abilities.
• • Up to 1 point: founding a startup or company providing services based on or selling products requiring advanced digital skills.
• • Up to 1 point: participation in courses developing advanced digital competencies.
• • Up to 1 point: volunteering related to advanced digital skills.
• Scoring method: Points for each criterion are multiplied by its weight and summed. Maximum total score is 5 points.
• Ranking and award: Applicants are ranked from highest to lowest score; the top candidates receive scholarships, subject to full compliance with requirements. In case of equal scores, priority is given, within each tie group, first to women and gender minorities, second to candidates with disabilities (as per documentation above), third to candidates aged 26–30 years. If still tied, overall first semester averages are considered.

Number of Awards

The call text states that 9 Scholarship Grants will be granted for this call. A separate section indicates up to 7 highest-ranked applications get the Scholarship; this appears to be an internal inconsistency. The total budget of €27,000 corresponds to 9 scholarships of €3,000 each.

Appeals Process

• Applicants may appeal within 14 working days of notification, citing specific parts where they consider scoring inappropriate or factual errors.
• The study programme committee evaluates appeals within 14 working days and informs the applicant of the outcome.
• If inaccuracies are confirmed, they are corrected and the award order is updated accordingly.

Payment Schedule and Conditions

• Three instalments: June 2026; October 2026; June 2027, provided ongoing eligibility conditions are met.
• Scholarship ceiling: A student cannot receive more than €3,000 from AI4CI project scholarships across the full period.
• Other scholarships: Receiving other scholarships is allowed, but double EU funding for the same purposes is prohibited. If other scholarships are received, the student must provide a written declaration justifying the absence of EU double funding. In case of double funding, the AI4CI scholarship may be rejected or reduced to balance real expenses and scholarship income.
• Visibility: Beneficiaries must provide visibility of the scholarship benefits upon receipt, following the project’s instructions; do not present the support as directly provided by the EU.

Termination and Redistribution

• Termination triggers: discontinuation of studies; academic leave; transfer to another study programme; failing at least one exam or course during the scheduled semester; violation of ethics or academic honesty.
• Voluntary termination: Students may request termination in writing to the study programme committee.
• Upon termination, the scholarship is reallocated for the remaining period via a rapid mini-call: notification to students within 5 working days, 5 working days to submit, evaluation within 5 working days, and results issued within the next 5 working days. Redistribution criteria mirror the original award criteria.

Categorisation Answers

Eligible Applicant Types:Individual students accepted and enrolled in the AI4CI master’s at Cnam Grand-Est (promotion 2025–2027). Other entities such as startups, SMEs, universities, nonprofits, governments, or consortia are not eligible as applicants; only individual students are eligible.

Funding Type:Scholarship provided via cascade funding (financial support to third parties under the AI4CI project).

Consortium Requirement:Single applicant. No consortium is required or permitted.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility):Citizens of the EU, listed EEA countries, and countries associated to the Digital Europe Programme. Studies must be undertaken at Cnam Grand-Est, Mulhouse, France.

Target Sector:Advanced digital skills, artificial intelligence, ICT, education, and applications to connected industries and industrial digitisation.

Mentioned Countries:France (Mulhouse). Regions referenced: European Union, European Economic Area, and countries associated to the Digital Europe Programme.

Project Stage:Education and upskilling stage. This is not an R&D project grant but a student scholarship to support studies.

Funding Amount:€3,000 per selected student over two years; total call budget €27,000 to fund 9 scholarships. Payments in three instalments subject to continued eligibility.

Application Type:Open call, single-stage submission to the programme according to the call instructions and timeline.

Nature of Support:Money disbursed as scholarship funds for eligible study-related costs.

Application Stages:1 stage. Submission of a complete application by the deadline, followed by a single evaluation and ranking by the study programme committee.

Success Rates:Not specified. The call foresees 9 scholarships; actual success rate depends on the number of eligible applicants received.

Co-funding Requirement:No co-funding is required. However, double EU funding for the same purposes is prohibited. If other scholarships are received, a declaration is required, and the AI4CI scholarship may be reduced or rejected to avoid overlap.

Templates and Application Structure

The call provides clear document requirements and evaluation criteria. Applicants can structure their submission as follows to align with the stated requirements:

1. 1Applicant identification: Full name, contact details, date of birth, nationality; attach a copy of the identity document showing date of birth and nationality.
2. 2Programme status: Confirmation of enrolment in AI4CI master’s at Cnam Grand-Est (Mulhouse), inclusion on the official student list, and membership in the 2025–2027 cohort.
3. 3Motivation and use-of-funds plan: Concise narrative explaining motivation for applying; detailed plan of how the scholarship will be spent strictly on study-related costs; description of how the support will contribute to upskilling in advanced digital skills.
4. 4Evidence for equal opportunities criteria (if applicable):
5. 5• Economic barriers: proof such as tax form indicating annual income below €35,000, or for French residents, CAF certificate showing quotient familial under €500.
6. 6• Health problems or disability: disability card or official document from a recognized institution.
7. 7Evidence for contribution to advanced digital skills (optional but relevant for scoring):
8. 8• Conference participation and achievements; provide documents or links.
9. 9• Hackathon participation and achievements; provide documents or links.
10. 10• Founding of a startup/company in advanced digital skills; provide registration or product/service proof.
11. 11• Courses completed in advanced digital competencies; provide certificates.
12. 12• Volunteering in advanced digital skills; provide confirmations.
13. 13Declaration regarding other scholarships: Statement confirming no double EU funding for the same purposes, to be provided if other scholarships are held or obtained.
14. 14Post-selection compliance: Readiness to sign the scholarship award agreement within 10 working days of notification, consent to personal data processing for scholarship management and marketing, and commitment to legal obligations (ethics, record-keeping). Provide bank details for transfers.

Administrative Notes and Contact

• All evaluation, award, and payment steps are undertaken by the study programme committee in line with the call rules.
• Final list publication and payment start are planned after all scholarships have been awarded.
• For questions related to the call and AI4CI Master at Cnam Grand-Est, contact: Stéphane JEANGERARD, stephane.jeangerard@lecnam.net.

Important Compliance and Disclaimer

Financial support to third parties (FSTP) under AI4CI is not an EU action. Beneficiaries provide financial support in their own name and under their own responsibility, including preparation and drafting of call conditions. Publication on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal is for visibility only and does not constitute EU approval of content or conditions. When promoting the EU action, the financial support must not be presented as directly provided by the EU. Recipients are not party to the Grant Agreement; beneficiaries remain responsible towards the granting authority for proper use of the funding by recipients.

Consistency Notes

The call text indicates 9 Scholarship Grants are planned for this call and sets a total budget of €27,000, implying 9 awards at €3,000 each. In section 5.5, a different figure appears, stating up to 7 highest-ranked applications get the Scholarship. Given the explicit total budget and the stated number of scholarships earlier, the operative expectation is 9 awards; applicants should rely on official communications from the study programme committee for final numbers.

Summary

The AI4CI Scholarship Call provides financial support to individual students enrolled in the Artificial Intelligence for Connected Industries master’s programme at Cnam Grand-Est in Mulhouse, France. The call seeks to widen access to master’s-level education in advanced digital skills, promote equality and diversity, and recognise contributions to the digital skills ecosystem. Nine scholarships of €3,000 each are planned, with funds disbursed in three instalments across two academic years, strictly for study-related costs such as hardware or software, living and travel needed for studies, additional training and information sources, and other relevant expenses. Eligibility is limited to EU citizens, citizens of EEA countries, or citizens of countries associated to the Digital Europe Programme who are officially enrolled in the AI4CI programme in the 2025–2027 cohort. Applications require an identity document and a motivation and use-of-funds plan; optional documentation can strengthen scoring for contributions to advanced digital skills. Selection is merit-based with strong weighting for recent contributions to advanced digital skills and prioritisation of candidates facing economic or health/disability barriers. Tie-breakers promote gender equity, inclusion, and specific age-group diversity, with academic averages used if needed. The process is single-stage with evaluation by the study programme committee, an appeals mechanism, and clear termination and redistribution rules. Double EU funding is not permitted, and beneficiaries must follow visibility rules consistent with FSTP requirements. Interested students should consult the official portal page and contact the designated programme representative for any clarifications.

This is a cascade funding scholarship call under the AI4CI project (Artificial Intelligence for Connected Industries), grant agreement 101123524, co-funded by the Digital Europe Programme. The call provides 9 scholarships of 3000 euros each to support master's students in the AI4CI programme at Conservatoire National des Arts et Métiers en Grand Est (Cnam Grand-Est), Mulhouse, France, for the 2025-2027 promotion. Total funding available is 27000 euros. Note that this is not direct EU funding; scholarships are provided by project beneficiaries under their own responsibility.

Key Dates

• Opening date: 12 February 2026
• Application deadline: 17 April 2026, 01:00 Brussels time (single-stage submission)
• Notification of results: Within 30 days after deadline
• Scholarship payments: June 2026, October 2026, June 2027 (three instalments)
• Final list publication: No later than 25 September 2025 (note potential date inconsistency with call timeline)

Eligibility and Who Can Apply

Scholarships are exclusively for students enrolled in the AI4CI Master's programme 'Artificial Intelligence for Connected Industries' at Cnam Grand-Est, Mulhouse, France, specifically the 2025-2027 cohort. Applicants must be citizens of EU/EEA countries or countries associated to the Digital Europe Programme, and already accepted/included in the student list for this programme.

Required Documents

• Motivation letter detailing plans, scholarship usage, and contribution to upskilling in advanced digital skills (mandatory)
• Copy of identity document showing date of birth and nationality (mandatory)
• Optional: Documents/links illustrating achievements (e.g., conferences, hackathons, startups, courses, volunteering)

Award Criteria and Scoring

Applications are evaluated by the study programme committee based on a weighted scoring system (maximum 5 points). Highest-ranked applicants (up to 9, though text mentions up to 7 in one section) receive scholarships; others go to a reserve list. Ties are broken by diversity priorities (women/gender minorities, disabilities, age 26-30), then first semester averages.

Scoring Details

• Priority for equal opportunities (weight 1 each): Economic barriers (income <35000 euros/year or French CAF quotient familial <500 euros); Health/disability (proof via disability card or recognised document)
• Contributions to advanced digital skills in last 3 years (weight 3, max 1 point per activity, highest only): International conference participation/achievement; Hackathon participation/achievement; Startup/company in digital skills; Relevant courses; Digital skills volunteering

Funding Details

Amount per scholarship:3000 euros total per student (fixed, covers tuition for 2-year programme), paid in three instalments if conditions met.

Scholarship use is restricted to study-related expenses:hardware/software, living/travel costs, additional training, other study needs. Recipients must provide visibility of benefits received. Compatible with other scholarships if no EU double funding; declaration required, amount may be adjusted.

Application and Evaluation Process

1. 1By 12 February 2026: Accepted students contacted by Regional Director/Project Manager with details.
2. 2Submit application by 17 April 2026.
3. 3Evaluation within 30 working days: Scoring, ranking, selection.
4. 4Notification within 30 days; sign agreement and provide bank details within 10 working days.
5. 5Appeal possible within 14 working days (written, specific errors); reviewed within 14 days.
6. 6Reserve list used for refusals/vacancies.

Termination and Redistribution

Scholarship terminates if student discontinues studies, takes leave, transfers programmes, fails any exam/course, or violates ethics/academic honesty. Voluntary termination possible via written request. Vacant scholarships redistributed via accelerated process (notifications within 5 days, applications within 5 days, evaluation within 5 days).

Important Disclaimers

This is a cascade call published for visibility only; not an EU action. Beneficiaries (AI4CI project) are responsible for funding, content, and proper use. Do not present as direct EU funding. Recipients are not parties to the Grant Agreement. AI4CI Scholarship Portal

Contact and Further Information

For questions on the call or AI4CI Master at Cnam Grand-Est:Stéphane JEANGERARD (stephane.jeangerard@lecnam.net). More on AI4CI project: AI4CI Website. Master admissions: Separate process, deadlines up to September 2026. ¹

Footnotes

1. 1Primary source: EU Funding & Tenders Portal. Additional context from AI4CI sites confirms programme details across partner universities (France, Germany, Romania, Spain, Ukraine). Note minor inconsistencies (e.g., 7 vs 9 scholarships, date 2025 vs 2026) likely typographical; use official portal for applications.