Call for applications n. 1/2026 for the assignment of 6 scholarships for the enrolment in the Joint Master’s Degree in International Cybersecurity and...

The University of Padua is offering six scholarships for the academic year 2026/2027 as part of the Joint Master's Degree in International Cybersecurity and Cyberintelligence (MICAC). This initiative is funded through the Cyberactioning project under the Digital Europe Programme of the European Union. The scholarships, amounting to a total of €50,400, provide monetary support classified as Financial Support to Third Parties. Each scholarship is valued at approximately €8,400, intended to help cover tuition fees and enable participation in various educational activities.

Eligible applicants must have completed or be in the process of completing a relevant Bachelor's degree with at least 180 ECTS credits or an equivalent qualification. They must also meet the admission requirements for the MICAC program, demonstrating a minimum B2 level of English proficiency. The program is open to both EU/EEA and non-EU/non-EEA candidates, with non-EU applicants advised to apply in the first application round, which runs from January 14 to February 17, 2025. EU and EEA applicants can apply from February 17 to April 25, 2025.

The MICAC program is a collaborative effort from a consortium of four universities, which includes the University of Padua, Vilnius University, University of Granada, and University of Minho. The program allows students to experience rotating studies across these institutions, enhancing their international exposure and cross-cultural competence. It combines technical cybersecurity skills with management and strategic knowledge, focusing on areas like ethical hacking, secure software development, and international relations in the context of cybersecurity.

The application process is a single-stage procedure integrated with the admission process for the master's program. Candidates must apply through the Arqus Alliance portal and will be automatically considered for scholarships based on academic merit. While specific success rates are not published, the high demand for the program hints that they may fall below 10%. No co-funding is explicitly required, although students might need additional financial resources beyond the scholarship for their total educational expenses.

The scholarships aim to strengthen the pipeline of skilled professionals in cybersecurity, aligning with EU strategies to enhance digital skills and address emerging cyber threats. The application period remains open until May 20, 2026, with the program's objective to foster high-level expertise in cybersecurity and cyberintelligence through a mix of practical experiences and academic learning. The University of Padua is solely responsible for the scholarships and their administration within the scope of the Cyberactioning project's goals.

The University of Padua is offering 6 scholarships for the academic year 2026/2027 for enrollment in the Joint Master’s Degree in International Cybersecurity and Cyberintelligence (MICAC). This initiative is part of the Cyberactioning project, which is funded under the Digital Europe Programme of the European Union. The scholarships are considered Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP) as defined in the Grant Agreement.

The opening date for applications is January 27, 2026, and the deadline is May 20, 2026, at 17:00 (Brussels time). The application process is single-stage. The expected duration of participation is up to two academic years, which corresponds to the duration of the Joint Master’s Degree in International Cybersecurity and Cyberintelligence. The total funding available is 50,400.00 €. The project acronym is CYBERACTIONING, and the full name of the EU funded project is Training Cybersecurity Skills through Advanced Higher Education Joint Programmes. The grant agreement number is 101123445. The relevant topic is DIGITAL-2022-SKILLS-03-SPECIALISED-EDU, which focuses on specialised education programmes or modules in key capacity areas.

Applications are submitted through the Arqus Alliance website. Eligibility for the scholarships is conditional upon eligibility and admission to the Master’s programme. Applicants must meet the academic and formal admission requirements of the MICAC programme, including possessing a relevant 180 ECTS Bachelor’s degree or equivalent, and fulfilling language requirements. No separate application is required for the scholarships; all eligible candidates admitted to the Master’s programme are automatically considered for financial support.

The selection of scholarship recipients is carried out by a Selection Panel composed of representatives from the consortium universities, based on academic excellence and merit, within the budgetary framework established by the Cyberactioning Steering Committee. The procedure adheres to principles of transparency, equal treatment, and non-discrimination, in accordance with the Grant Agreement provisions on Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP).

The full Call for Applications, including eligibility conditions, selection criteria, payment rules, and revocation conditions, is published by the University of Padua.

It is important to note that this call is launched solely by the University of Padua, and the financial support will be provided directly by the University of Padua under its own responsibility. The publication of this call on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal is for informational purposes only and does not imply approval by EU authorities or any waiver of responsibility by the University of Padua.

The selected third parties will be future students of the Joint Master’s Degree in International Cybersecurity and Cyberintelligence (MICAC), a two-year interdisciplinary programme jointly delivered by 4 universities of the Cyberactioning consortium. The Master’s programme provides advanced training in cybersecurity and cyberintelligence, combining technical, analytical, and strategic competences. Students will develop skills in areas such as cyber threat analysis, secure systems, data protection, cybercrime investigation, risk assessment, intelligence analysis, and the ethical, legal, and policy dimensions of cybersecurity.

The programme employs a strong practice-oriented approach, including hands-on laboratories, applied projects, and international mobility, to ensure students acquire digital and transversal skills that are highly relevant for the European digital labour market. The financial support aims to cover tuition fees and enable selected students to participate in the educational and training activities of the programme, aligning with the Cyberactioning project's objectives to strengthen advanced digital skills and foster high-level expertise in cybersecurity and cyberintelligence in Europe.

In summary, this opportunity provides scholarships for students admitted to the Joint Master’s Degree in International Cybersecurity and Cyberintelligence (MICAC), a two-year program offered by a consortium of universities. The scholarships, funded by the EU's Digital Europe Programme under the Cyberactioning project, aim to support tuition fees and participation in the program's activities. The program focuses on developing advanced skills in cybersecurity and cyberintelligence through a combination of theoretical knowledge, practical experience, and international exposure. The University of Padua is responsible for the selection process and the distribution of the scholarships. The program covers a wide range of cybersecurity-related topics, including threat analysis, secure systems, data protection, cybercrime investigation, risk assessment, and the legal and ethical aspects of cybersecurity, preparing students for the European digital labor market.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant type is students who are eligible for and admitted to the Joint Master’s Degree in International Cybersecurity and Cyberintelligence (MICAC) programme. Applicants must possess a relevant 180 ECTS Bachelor’s degree or equivalent and meet the language requirements.

Funding Type: The funding type is a scholarship, which constitutes Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP) as defined in the Grant Agreement of the Cyberactioning project.

Consortium Requirement: The opportunity is for single applicants, specifically students applying for a Master's program. The Master's program itself is delivered by a consortium of 4 universities.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility is not explicitly stated, but it is implied to be open to students who meet the academic and formal admission requirements of the MICAC programme, suggesting a broad, potentially international, scope. The program aims to strengthen advanced digital skills and foster high-level expertise in cybersecurity and cyberintelligence in Europe, implying a focus on attracting talent to Europe.

Target Sector: The target sector is cybersecurity and cyberintelligence, focusing on advanced digital skills and high-level expertise in these areas. The specific topic is DIGITAL-2022-SKILLS-03-SPECIALISED-EDU - Specialised education programmes or modules in key capacity areas.

Mentioned Countries: Italy (specifically the University of Padua) is explicitly mentioned. The program is funded under the Digital Europe Programme of the European Union, so EU countries are relevant.

Project Stage: The project stage is education and training, specifically at the Master's degree level. The scholarships support students participating in the two-year Joint Master’s Degree in International Cybersecurity and Cyberintelligence.

Funding Amount: The total funding available is 50,400 EUR. The number of scholarships is 6, so the average scholarship amount is 8,400 EUR.

Application Type: The application type is an open call, with applications submitted through https://apply.arqus-alliance.eu/ as part of the admission process to the Joint Master’s Degree in International Cybersecurity and Cyberintelligence.

Nature of Support: The beneficiaries will receive money to contribute to the payment of tuition fees and enable participation in the educational and training activities of the Master's programme.

Application Stages: The application process appears to be single-stage, as indicated by "Deadline model single-stage". Applicants apply for admission to the Master's program, and those admitted are automatically considered for the scholarship.

Success Rates: The success rates are not explicitly mentioned, but given the limited number of scholarships (6) and the likely high demand for a specialized Master's program in cybersecurity and cyberintelligence, the success rate is likely to be below 10%.

Co-funding Requirement: Co-funding is not explicitly mentioned. The scholarship contributes to tuition fees, suggesting that students may need to cover additional costs themselves or through other funding sources.

Summary:

This opportunity is a scholarship program offered by the University of Padua within the framework of the Cyberactioning project, which is funded by the Digital Europe Programme of the European Union. The scholarships are intended for students admitted to the Joint Master’s Degree in International Cybersecurity and Cyberintelligence (MICAC). The MICAC program is a two-year interdisciplinary program delivered by a consortium of four universities, providing advanced training in cybersecurity and cyberintelligence. The program covers technical, analytical, and strategic competences, including cyber threat analysis, secure systems, data protection, cybercrime investigation, risk assessment, intelligence analysis, and the ethical, legal, and policy dimensions of cybersecurity. The scholarship aims to support students by contributing to their tuition fees and enabling their participation in the program's educational and training activities. A total of 50,400 EUR is available, funding 6 scholarships. The application process is integrated with the admission process for the MICAC program, requiring applicants to meet the academic and language requirements. The selection of scholarship recipients is based on academic excellence and merit, following principles of transparency, equal treatment, and non-discrimination. The deadline for applications is May 20, 2026. While the scholarship is funded through an EU project, the University of Padua is solely responsible for the call and the selection process. The program aims to strengthen digital skills and expertise in cybersecurity and cyberintelligence in Europe, addressing the need for specialized education in key capacity areas.