AI4CI Scholarship Grants for Babeş-Bolyai University (Romania)

Babeş-Bolyai University (UBB) is offering a cascade call for up to 16 AI4CI master's scholarships under the AI4CI project (GA 101123524) with a total budget of €34,000 and individual awards of €2,125. Eligible applicants are students admitted to the AI4CI master's programme (cohort 2025–2027) at UBB and must submit a motivation letter, identity document, proof of admission and first-semester grades, and a CV by 08 June 2026, 17:00 Brussels time. Awards are ranked by a weighted scoring system prioritising academic performance, equal-opportunity criteria and contributions to digital skills; payments are disbursed in three instalments (€700 in October 2026, €700 in January 2027 and €725 in April 2027). This cascade funding is provided by project beneficiaries in their own name and responsibility and recipients are not parties to the underlying EU grant agreement.

Call snapshot

Key facts

Scholarships for students enrolled in the AI4CI Master programme Artificial Intelligence for Connected Industries at Babeş-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca. Aim: increase accessibility to master's studies in advanced digital skills and promote equality and diversity in computer science. Deadline: 08 June 2026, 17:00 Brussels time.

Available funding and awards:Total cascade funding available: €34,000. Up to 16 scholarships to be awarded. Each scholarship is fixed at €2,125 per student (paid in three instalments: €700 in Oct 2026, €700 in Jan 2027 and €725 in Apr 2027).

1. 1Who can apply: persons who are citizens of the EU, listed EEA states or countries associated to the Digital Europe Programme and who are admitted to the AI4CI master programme at Babeş-Bolyai University (promotion 2025-2027).
2. 2Application requirements: motivation letter, ID copy, proof of admission and first-semester grades, CV (additional evidence optional).
3. 3Selection: programme committee ranks applicants by academic grade, equal-opportunity criteria and contributions to digital skills; up to 16 highest-ranked receive scholarships.

Scholarship use:study-related costs such as hardware/software, living and travel costs, training and study materials. Awards require signing a scholarship agreement and providing bank details. Applicants may appeal assessment decisions per the procedure described.

Contact:Camelia CHIRA: camelia.chira@ubbcluj.ro. Apply and find full call details on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal listing for AI4CI scholarships AI4CI call. ¹

Footnotes

1. 1This is cascade funding published for visibility; the scholarships are provided by the AI4CI project beneficiaries in their own name and responsibility and recipients are not party to the EU Grant Agreement. The portal publication does not imply EU approval of the cascade call content.

Call identity and high-level facts

Call title:AI4CI Scholarship Grants for Babeş-Bolyai University (Romania). Opening date: 07 April 2026. Submission deadline: 08 June 2026, 17:00 Brussels time. Deadline model: single-stage. Total funding available for this cascade call: €34,000. The cascade funding is published under the EU-funded project Artificial Intelligence for Connected Industries (AI4CI), Grant Agreement No. 101123524, activity line DIGITAL-2022. The call is targeted to students enrolled in the AI4CI Master's programme at Babeş-Bolyai University (UBB), Cluj-Napoca, Romania.

Primary contact:Camelia CHIRA, camelia.chira@ubbcluj.ro.

Purpose and eligible uses of the scholarship

The scholarships aim to increase accessibility to the AI4CI Master's programme, promote advanced digital skills, and foster equality and diversity in computer science. Students commit to use the scholarship solely for study-related expenses, including purchase of hardware or software necessary for study, living and travel costs essential for study attendance, acquisition of additional training or information sources to improve competencies, and other study-related expenses. Scholarship recipients must ensure visibility of the scholarship benefits upon receipt, in line with the cascade publication disclaimer.

Who can apply and eligibility

Eligible applicants are persons who:are citizens of the European Union, of listed EEA countries, or of countries associated to the Digital Europe Programme; are admitted to and enrolled in the AI4CI master programme Artificial Intelligence for Connected Industries at Babeş-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca, Romania; and belong to the student cohort promotion 2025-2027 at UBB. Applicants must provide documentation proving nationality, admission and academic records as specified in the application requirements.

1. 1Citizenship: EU member states, listed EEA countries, or countries associated to the Digital Europe Programme (see published list of participating countries).
2. 2Study enrolment: Admitted and listed students of AI4CI master programme at UBB, cohort 2025-2027.
3. 3Documentation: identity document copy, proof of admission and first-semester grades, motivation letter, CV, optional supporting documents or links evidencing achievements.

Number of awards, value and payment schedule

For this call, up to 16 scholarship grants will be awarded. Individual scholarship amount per student over the full scholarship period is €2,125. Payments are made in three instalments conditional on continued eligibility: €700 in October 2026, €700 in January 2027, and €725 in April 2027. A single student cannot receive more than €2,125 from AI4CI project scholarships for the scholarship period. The aggregate funding available published for this cascade call is €34,000.

Application process and timeline

Applications are open from 07 April 2026 and accepted until 08 June 2026, 17:00 Brussels time. The call follows a single-stage submission model. After the deadline, the study programme committee will assess applications within 10 working days, rank applicants according to the published scoring criteria, select awardees and reserve list candidates, and communicate results to applicants within 5 working days after the committee meeting. Awardees must sign the scholarship award agreement and provide bank details within 10 working days of notification. Final list of awarded students and payment start will be completed no later than 31 July 2026.

Assessment, ranking and award criteria

Applications are evaluated by the programme committee and ranked using a weighted scoring system with a maximum of 10 points. The scoring components and weights are detailed below.

1. 1Promotion of gifted students (weight 5): A competitive grade G is calculated as a weighted average of first-semester grades in the AI4CI programme (weights = ECTS). For each applicant with competitive grade x, score = (x - MIN(G)) / (MAX(G) - MIN(G)).
2. 2Promoting equal opportunities (weight 1): Applicants facing fewer opportunities due to economic background or disability. Scores 0–1 awarded per documented need.
3. 3Health problems or disability (weight 1): Documented chronic illnesses, psychological disorders or disabilities endorsed by the treating family doctor or student dispensary as specified in Order 6.742/4.12.2023. Scores 0–1 awarded.
4. 4Promotion of contribution to society and personal development in advanced digital skills (weight 3): Activities in the last 2 years scored as up to 1 point for each category: published international conference article, hackathon achievement, establishment of a startup/company delivering advanced digital solutions, or volunteering related to advanced digital skills. If multiple activities are evidenced, the maximum single activity score is used (not cumulative).

The weighted scores are summed to produce a total out of 10. Applicants are ranked highest to lowest; up to 16 top-ranked applicants who meet all requirements receive scholarships. In case of tied scores, priority order inside tied groups is: 1) candidates from the gender minority group; 2) candidates with disabilities; 3) candidates aged 26–30 years.

Termination, redistribution, appeals and conditions for continued payment

Scholarship award and payments will be terminated if a student discontinues or interrupts studies, transfers to another programme, fails to pass all scheduled semester exams, or violates academic ethics rules. Students may voluntarily terminate receipt by written request. On termination, the programme committee will reassign the scholarship to the next eligible candidate from the reserve list within 10 working days; the selected reserve candidate must sign the award agreement and provide bank details within 10 working days of notification. Students may appeal assessment results in writing within 5 working days of notification; the committee will rule on appeals within 5 working days and update rankings if errors are confirmed.

Co-funding, double funding and beneficiary responsibilities

The AI4CI scholarships are provided by the AI4CI project beneficiaries in their own name and under their own responsibility; this cascade call publication serves only to increase visibility and is not an approval by EU funding authorities. Recipients are not party to the underlying Grant Agreement. Receiving this scholarship does not automatically preclude applicants from receiving other scholarships except where EU double funding rules would apply. Students receiving other scholarships must submit a written declaration to justify absence of EU double funding for the same purposes; in cases of confirmed double funding the AI4CI scholarship may be reduced or rejected. Beneficiaries remain responsible towards the granting authority for proper use of funds by recipients.

Detailed applicant documentation required

Applicants must submit the following documents when applying:mandatory motivation letter explaining how the scholarship will be used and how it will support upskilling in advanced digital skills; copy of identity document showing date of birth and nationality; document proving admission to the AI4CI master programme at UBB and grades obtained in the first semester of the first academic year; curriculum vitae. Applicants may optionally submit copies of documents or links to data sources illustrating achievements (publications, hackathon results, startup documentation, volunteering). Economic need claims require income certificates requested from ANAF for all family members for the last 12 months prior to the academic semester start and comparison with the monthly net minimum salary threshold specified in the call.

Where to apply:Applications are submitted to the AI4CI Master programme administration at UBB following the internal procedure communicated by the AI4CI Master Programme Responsible and Project Manager. Students accepted to the AI4CI programme will be directly informed about how to apply and submit required documents.

Categorisation answers

Eligible Applicant Types:Individual students (natural persons) admitted to the AI4CI master programme at Babeş-Bolyai University. The opportunity is not open to organisations as applicants; it is targeted to individual master's students. Funding Type: Grant (scholarship financial support). Consortium Requirement: Single applicant (individual student); no consortium required. Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): Applicants must be citizens of the European Union, listed EEA countries, or countries associated to the Digital Europe Programme (see official associated countries list). Target Sector: Education and digital skills with a focus on advanced digital technologies and artificial intelligence; thematic sectors include education, ICT, artificial intelligence, and skills development. Mentioned Countries: Romania (host university location). The eligibility list references: EU member states, EEA countries and countries associated to Digital Europe Programme (see published list including Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, candidate and associated countries listed in the Digital Europe participation document). Project Stage: Education and training support for enrolled Master's students (development/education stage supporting study and early career skill acquisition). Funding Amount: Individual scholarship €2,125; total call budget €34,000. Application Type: Open cascade call to eligible enrolled students; single-stage, open for submission until the stated deadline. Nature of Support: Financial support (money) paid as scholarships. Application Stages: 1 stage (single-stage submission followed by selection and award). Success Rates: Up to 16 scholarships will be awarded; success rate depends on number of eligible applicants but maximum award count is 16. Co-funding Requirement: No explicit co-funding from applicants is required. Students receiving other funding must declare absence of EU double funding; overlapping EU-funded scholarship support may lead to rejection or reduction of the AI4CI scholarship.

Templates and structure of application materials (as required in call)

The call specifies required documents but does not provide downloadable templates within the published text. Applicants must prepare: a motivation letter (brief, mandatory) detailing motivation, planned use of funds, and expected contribution to upskilling in advanced digital skills; copy of identity document indicating nationality and date of birth; admission proof and first-semester grade record from AI4CI master programme; curriculum vitae; optional supporting documentation or hyperlinks for achievements. Where economic need or disability is claimed, applicants must attach the corresponding certified documentation: economic need supported by ANAF income certificates for all family members for the 12 months prior to the academic semester start, and medical documentation endorsed by the family doctor or student dispensary for health/disability claims, explicitly referencing applicable legal order and article as stipulated in the call.

Application structure checklist applicants should follow:1. Cover page with applicant name, contact details, nationality and student ID; 2. Motivation letter addressing how funds will be used and impact on digital skills (mandatory); 3. Identity document copy (mandatory); 4. Proof of admission to AI4CI programme and transcript/grades for first semester (mandatory); 5. Curriculum vitae (mandatory); 6. Optional evidence of achievements (publications, hackathons, startup documentation, volunteering); 7. If claiming economic need: ANAF income certificate(s) and calculation versus the specified threshold; 8. If claiming medical/disability support: endorsed medical documents referencing required legal provisions; 9. Signed declarations if the student holds or later receives other scholarships to avoid EU double funding.

Important legal and visibility notes

This cascade call is published for information. FSTP is NOT an EU action; beneficiaries provide financial support in their own name and under their own responsibility. The publication of cascade calls in the EU Funding & Tenders Portal does not imply approval by EU funding authorities. The financial support must NOT be presented as directly provided by the EU when promoting the action. Recipients (third parties) are not parties to the Grant Agreement. Beneficiaries remain responsible towards the granting authority for the proper use of funding by recipients. Applicants and recipients must comply with publicity/visibility obligations indicated by the project and by the award agreement.

Reference to associated countries guidance:Eligible third countries follow the Digital Europe Programme list of participating countries. See the official list for the specific countries and participation conditions List of Participating Countries in the Digital Europe Programme ¹.

Concluding summary

This cascade scholarship call administered by Babeş-Bolyai University within the AI4CI project provides targeted financial support to increase access to the Artificial Intelligence for Connected Industries Master's programme. Up to 16 scholarships of €2,125 each (paid in three instalments) are available to eligible students who are citizens of EU, EEA or Digital Europe associated countries and are enrolled in the AI4CI master programme cohort 2025-2027. Applicants must submit a motivation letter, identity proof, proof of admission and first-semester grades, CV and optional supporting documents. Applications are accepted in a single-stage process until 08 June 2026. Awards are based on a transparent weighted scoring system prioritising academic performance, equal opportunities, contributions to digital skills activities and diversity considerations. Payments are conditional on continued study progress and compliance with academic and ethical rules. The cascade call is published for visibility and the scholarships are provided by the project beneficiaries under their own responsibility; promotional materials must not present the funding as provided directly by the EU.

Footnotes

1. 1The Digital Europe participating countries document provides the list of EU, EEA, acceding/candidate/potential candidate and other associated countries eligible for participation under the Digital Europe Programme and clarifies restrictions related to entities subject to EU restrictive measures.

This cascade funding opportunity offers 16 scholarships to support master's students in the Artificial Intelligence for Connected Industries (AI4CI) program at Babeş-Bolyai University (UBB) in Cluj-Napoca, Romania. The AI4CI project (Grant Agreement 101123524) is co-funded by the Digital Europe Programme, with total funding available of €34,000.

Opportunity Overview

The scholarships aim to increase accessibility to master's studies in advanced digital skills, promote higher-level skills, equality, and diversity in computer science. Each scholarship provides €2,125, paid in three instalments: €700 in October 2026, €700 in January 2027, and €725 in April 2027. Funds must be used solely for study-related purposes, including hardware/software purchases, living and travel costs, additional training, and other study expenses. Scholarship recipients must ensure visibility of the benefits received.

Note:This is a cascade funding call under the AI4CI project. Financial support is provided by project beneficiaries in their own name and under their responsibility, not directly by the EU. Recipients are not parties to the Grant Agreement, and beneficiaries remain accountable to the granting authority.

Key Dates

• Opening date: 07 April 2026
• Deadline: 08 June 2026, 17:00 Brussels time (single-stage submission)
• Final list publication: No later than 31 July 2026
• Payments: October 2026, January 2027, April 2027

Eligibility and Who Can Apply

Applicants must be citizens of EU member states, EEA countries (Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein), or countries associated to the Digital Europe Programme (e.g., Ukraine, Switzerland with limitations, certain acceding/candidate countries like Albania, Serbia for specific objectives).¹ They must be enrolled in the AI4CI master's program (2025-2027 cohort) at UBB Cluj-Napoca, Romania, and provide proof of admission plus grades from the first semester of the first academic year.

Required Application Documents

• Motivation letter detailing motivation, plans, scholarship usage, and contribution to upskilling in advanced digital skills (mandatory)
• Copy of identity document showing date of birth and nationality (mandatory)
• Document proving admission to AI4CI master's at UBB and first-semester grades (mandatory)
• Curriculum vitae (mandatory)
• Copies of documents/links illustrating achievements (optional)

Evaluation and Award Criteria

Applications are assessed by the study program committee within 10 working days post-deadline, ranked by total score (max 10 points), with top 16 awarded scholarships. A reserve list handles refusals or terminations. Ties are broken by promoting gender minority, disabilities, then age 26-30.

Scoring Criteria (Weighted)

Total score = sum of (criterion score x weight). Highest scorers ranked first.

Application and Award Process

1. 1Accepted students contacted by AI4CI Master Programme Responsible and Project Manager with details.
2. 2Submit documents by deadline.
3. 3Committee assesses, ranks, notifies within 5 working days.
4. 4Awardees sign agreement, provide bank details within 10 days.
5. 5Appeal possible within 5 days; resolved in 5 days.
6. 6Final list published by 31 July 2026; payments start.

Payment and Obligations

Scholarships compatible with other funding if no EU double funding for same purpose; declare others and justify. Double funding may reduce/reject AI4CI award. Recipients consent to personal data processing for management/marketing and must adhere to ethics, record-keeping.

Termination and Redistribution

• Discontinues/interrupts studies, transfers program, fails exams, violates ethics/academic honesty.
• Voluntary termination via written request.
• Reserve list used for redistribution within timelines.

About the AI4CI Master's Program

The 2-year English-taught program at UBB focuses on AI applied to connected industries, covering machine learning, robotics, IoT, cloud networking. Part of a European consortium (France, Germany, Romania, Spain, Ukraine). Regular Romanian/EU state scholarships also available alongside AI4CI grants.²

Contact:Camelia Chira (camelia.chira@ubbcluj.ro). Primary source: EU Funding & Tenders Portal. UBB program details: UBB AI4CI Page.

Footnotes

1. 1Full list: Countries Associated to Digital Europe.
2. 2Project site: AI4CI.eu.