DIGI-ME Double Degree Scholarship Award Procedure and Selection Rules at UNIPV (University of Pavia)

UNIPV (University of Pavia) offers up to five DIGI‑ME double degree scholarships (total envelope €40,000) to students enrolled full‑time in the Master in International Business and Entrepreneurship (MIBE) for 9–12 months mobility at the University of Vaasa between August 2026 and July 2027. Awards are lump‑sum payments (monthly subsistence, one‑time travel, means‑tested ISEE top‑up and an allowance for fewer opportunities) disbursed in two instalments and administered by UNIPV under the DIGI‑ME project (Grant Agreement 101123009). Eligible applicants must be matriculated MIBE students for academic year 2025/2026, hold citizenship of EU/EEA or Digital Europe Programme associated countries, meet English proficiency requirements and not receive other EU funding for the same purpose. Applications must be submitted via the dedicated online form by 7 June 2026 (17:00 CET) and selection is merit‑based with a 70/100 threshold using weighted criteria for academic record, motivation and experience.

What it funds

Purpose and scope

Lump‑sum scholarships to support UNIPV MIBE students participating in a 9–12 month double degree exchange at University of Vaasa (mobility period Aug 2026–Jul 2027). Up to 5 scholarships are available; total budget for this UNIPV call is €40,000. ¹

Key financial components:Monthly living contribution, a one‑time travel allowance, an income‑based top up (ISEE tiers), and an additional monthly allowance for participants with fewer opportunities. Payments in two instalments (80% on signature; 20% on successful completion). ¹

1. 1Deadline: 7 June 2026, 17:00 CET; single‑stage submission via the dedicated online form.
2. 2Who can apply: Students matriculated in 2025/26 in the M.Sc. Master in International Business and Entrepreneurship (MIBE) at UNIPV, full‑time, within standard curriculum duration, EU/DEP passport holders, and meeting English proficiency requirements.
3. 3Number of awards: Up to 5 scholarships for mobility to University of Vaasa.
4. 4Mobility length: 9 to 12 months (individual Learning Agreement determines exact duration).
5. 5Evaluation: Internal UNIPV panel; threshold 70%; scoring: Academic background 65%, Motivation 25%, Additional experience 10%.

Applications must include transcripts, CV, motivation letter, certified English test (or proof of bachelor taught in English), and ID/passport. Scholarship is incompatible with other EU funding for the same purpose. Successful applicants must sign Mobility and Learning Agreements and confirm acceptance within five business days.

How to apply and contacts:Submit via the dedicated online form by 7 June 2026. Support and inquiries: digi-me@unipv.it. Full guidelines and application form details are in the official call documents DIGI-ME Guidelines. ¹

Footnotes

1. 1Detailed eligibility, scoring, payment rules, timelines and required documents are in the Guidelines for Applicants available at the official DIGI-ME call document: digime-project.eu

Call summary and administrative details

Opportunity Title:DIGI-ME Double Degree Scholarship Award Procedure and Selection Rules at UNIPV. Call opening date: 08 April 2026. Submission deadline: 07 June 2026 at 17:00 CET (Brussels time). Deadline model: single-stage. Expected duration of participation: 9 to 12 months (mobility at University of Vaasa in Finland between August 2026 and July 2027). Total funding available for this UNIPV open call: €40,000. Number of scholarships available through this call at UNIPV: up to five (5) candidates. Project acronym: DIGI-ME. Full funded project name: DIGital skills for transformative Innovation Management and Entrepreneurship. Grant agreement number: 101123009. Call identifier: DIGITAL-2022.

Primary objective:Support UNIPV Master in International Business and Entrepreneurship (MIBE) students to complete a double degree mobility at the University of Vaasa and extend skills in advanced digital technologies and transformative innovation.

Eligible Applicant Types

This call targets a narrowly defined beneficiary group. Eligible applicant types and required status are listed in detail below.

1. 1Primary eligible applicant type: enrolled students of the Master in International Business and Entrepreneurship (MIBE) at the University of Pavia (UNIPV). Applicants must be matriculated in the academic year 2025-2026, full-time, not on academic leave, and not exceeding the standard duration of the curriculum.
2. 2Nationality requirement: passport holders from EU/EEA countries or Digital Europe Programme (DEP) associated countries as defined in the DEP participating countries list. The DEP country list and participation conditions apply (see the DEP list reference).
3. 3Other applicant types explicitly excluded: external applicants not enrolled in MIBE, part-time students, students on academic leave, students who have exceeded the standard curriculum duration, and applicants receiving conflicting EU funding for the same purpose.

Funding type and mechanism

Funding type:scholarships provided as lump-sum financial awards paid by the University of Pavia (UNIPV) in the context of the DIGI-ME project. Although the DIGI-ME project is co-funded by the European Union, this specific call is launched and implemented by UNIPV and is not an EU action in itself; UNIPV assumes legal and financial responsibility for disbursing the scholarships.

Funding Amount and composition:Total envelope for this UNIPV call: €40,000 to support up to five scholarships. Each scholarship is paid as a lump sum comprising fixed and variable components depending on personal circumstances and will cover a single mobility action of 9 to 12 months. Detailed components are listed in the table below ¹.

Payment mechanism:scholarships are disbursed by UNIPV in two instalments. First tranche: 80% of the estimated scholarship amount, paid within 30 days of signing the Mobility Agreement provided the student has an approved Learning Agreement and correct bank details in the Reserved Area; otherwise the 30-day payment period starts when those conditions are actually satisfied. Second tranche: balance 20% paid at the end of the mobility subject to fulfilment of administrative obligations, regular completion of the authorised mobility period, achievement of training results consistent with the Learning Agreement, and correct administrative closure. Failure to satisfy these conditions may lead to loss of the balance payment and total or partial recovery of amounts already paid.

Consortium requirement and beneficiary scope

Consortium requirement:single-applicant scholarships for eligible individual students (no consortium required). Beneficiary scope (geographic eligibility): applicants must be passport holders from EU/EEA or DEP associated countries (list referenced in guidelines). Mobility host: University of Vaasa, Finland. The awarding institution: University of Pavia, Italy.

Target sectors, project stage and activities supported

Target sector and thematic focus:education and upskilling targeting advanced digital technologies and transformative innovation management and entrepreneurship. Specific technology and skill areas mentioned in DIGI-ME educational offering include explainable AI, generative AI, augmented intelligence, digital twins, blockchain, data analytics, Internet of Things (IoT), and other digital tools applied to innovation, international business and entrepreneurship. Project stage: education and training / mobility for study and curriculum completion (maturity: development/validation of student skills, demonstration of learning outcomes, preparation for commercialization or careers).

Application process, required documents and templates

Application Type:open call (UNIPV dedicated online submission form). Submission is EXCLUSIVELY via the dedicated form within the submission window from 8 April 2026 09:00 CET to 7 June 2026 17:00 CET. Applications submitted in any other manner will not be accepted. The call follows a single-stage submission and evaluation procedure.

1. 1Required documents to upload in PDF on the dedicated form: Transcript of Records (MIBE programme results); Curriculum Vitae (max 3 pages, no photo); Personal Statement / Motivation Letter (max 3 pages); certified English language competency evidence (unless native speaker or degree fully taught in English); copy of passport or identity card.
2. 2Optional information: gender, age, and socio-economic status (voluntary; may be used to promote diversity in tie-break situations).
3. 3Post-selection obligations: successful candidates will sign Declaration of Honour, Mobility Agreement, Learning Agreement and complete enrolment procedures with UNIPV Double Degree Office.

Templates and form structure:applicants must complete the dedicated form which collects applicant profile information and requires PDF uploads for mandatory documents. The UNIPV Guidelines for Applicants document provides a step-by-step application walkthrough and an eligibility checklist template used during the admissibility verification (an example eligibility checklist is included in the guidelines). The call requires, upon selection, signature of a Learning Agreement and a Mobility Agreement; these are standard Erasmus-style documents although specific templates will be provided by UNIPV to selected students. For full guidance and templates, applicants should consult the DIGI-ME Guidelines for Applicants and the call documents DIGI-ME Guidelines for Applicants. ¹

Eligibility criteria and language requirement

Detailed eligibility criteria:(1) enrolment in MIBE at UNIPV (matriculated 2025-2026), full-time, within standard curriculum duration and not on leave; (2) nationality: EU/EEA or DEP associated countries; (3) English proficiency: IELTS Academic minimum overall 6.5, TOEFL iBT minimum 88, or Cambridge C1/C2 minimum 180, or successful completion of a bachelor degree fully taught in English; documentation required except for native English speakers; (4) incompatibility with other EU funds covering the same costs: applicants must declare they have not received other EU funds for the same purpose.

Evaluation procedure, criteria, ranking and redress

Evaluation stages:the process consists of three main phases: (1) admissibility and eligibility check using a checklist; (2) internal evaluation by a panel of three UNIPV experts; (3) ranking and selection with possible reserve list placement. Applications that fail eligibility will be rejected with justification. Successful applicants must reach the evaluation threshold of 70% to be considered for awards.

1. 1Evaluation scoring weights: Academic background 65% (weighted average grade adjusted by ECTS earned vs expected), Motivation letter 25% (positive mindset towards digital innovation and alignment with DIGI-ME), Additional experience 10% (academic and non-academic achievements on CV).
2. 2Tie-break and diversity policy: in case of equal final scores, priority is given in this order: female applicants, applicants from low socio-economic backgrounds, applicants with disabilities, applicants from low DESI countries, and applicants belonging to minority groups.
3. 3Notification and acceptance: ranked applicants will be notified by email and must accept the offer within five business days by replying to digi-me@unipv.it. A reserve list will be used to fill vacancies if selected candidates decline or do not accept in time.
4. 4Redress: dissatisfied applicants may submit a written appeal within three business days of result notification to digi-me@unipv.it. Appeals are reviewed by a panel of two UNIPV DIGI-ME representatives and one external member. Grounds for appeal are limited to procedural errors or discrimination claims; academic judgement appeals are generally not accepted.

Selection timeline and post-selection steps

Indicative timeline included in guidelines:application period 8 April 2026 to 7 June 2026; internal evaluation 8 June 2026 to 10 June 2026; formal UNIPV placement invitations 11 June 2026; additional administrative steps and enrolment through UNIPV Double Degree Office follow. Students must complete the double degree by October 2027 and actively participate in student ambassador activities as part of the acceptance conditions.

Tax treatment, confidentiality and data protection

Tax treatment:scholarship payments are subject to tax treatment under current legislation and may be considered income subject to IRPEF withholdings where applicable. Amounts received must be included in the Single Substitute Declaration for ISEE purposes; UNIPV will prepare the Single Certification (formerly CUD) relating to amounts paid. Confidentiality: selected applicants must maintain confidentiality of project data, materials and invoices during implementation and for five years after project completion unless otherwise agreed. Data protection: UNIPV acts as Data Controller for application data; data handling complies with GDPR (EU 2016/679).

Success rates, co-funding and modality of support

Success rates:the call offers up to five scholarships from the pool of eligible MIBE students applying; the exact success rate depends on the number of eligible applicants and cannot be precisely determined in advance from the published material. Co-funding requirement: no applicant co-funding is required to receive the scholarship; however, the scholarship components are means-tested (ISEE) and some applicants may receive reduced amounts depending on household economic indicators. Nature of support: monetary lump-sum scholarships paid by UNIPV to cover living subsistence and travel costs for the mobility period; non-monetary supports include administrative enrolment assistance, mobility coordination and academic recognition support via Learning Agreement.

Application stages count:The selection process has three main stages: 1 admissibility and eligibility check, 2 internal evaluation by experts, and 3 ranking and selection (including reserve list and redress).

Mentioned countries and institutions

Explicitly mentioned countries and institutions:Italy (University of Pavia, UNIPV as awarding body), Finland (University of Vaasa as host for mobility), and DEP participating countries list (EU, EEA countries and DEP associated countries referenced in the DEP list). DEP participating countries may include EU Member States, EEA EFTA states (Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein), and several associated third countries listed in the DEP participation document; applicants should consult the DEP list to confirm eligibility. DIGI-ME partner institutions also include Grenoble Ecole de Management (France) and University of Vaasa (Finland).

For the full rules, application templates and the step-by-step guide, refer to the DIGI-ME Guidelines for Applicants published by UNIPV and accessible on the DIGI-ME project site DIGI-ME Guidelines for Applicants ¹.

Final summary — what this opportunity is about

This UNIPV open call provides up to five lump-sum scholarships (total envelope €40,000) to eligible students enrolled in the Master in International Business and Entrepreneurship (MIBE) at the University of Pavia to support a 9 to 12 month double degree mobility at the University of Vaasa in Finland during academic year 2026-2027. The scholarship covers monthly subsistence, a travel contribution and means-tested additional monthly support via ISEE with an extra monthly allowance for students with fewer opportunities where applicable. The selection is merit-based with a minimum pass threshold of 70% using weighted criteria focused on academic background, motivation and additional experience. Applications must be submitted exclusively via the dedicated online form between 08 April 2026 and 07 June 2026. The awarding institution (UNIPV) administers payments and legal obligations; data protection, tax treatment and confidentiality rules apply. The call supports the DIGI-ME objective of building advanced digital skills in innovation management and entrepreneurship, and provides both financial and administrative support to selected students to complete their double degree mobility. Full procedural details, forms and templates are in the UNIPV Guidelines for Applicants linked above ¹.

Footnotes

1. 1Guidelines for Applicants (UNIPV) published 8 April 2026 available at digime-project.eu. The document contains full application instructions, templates for eligibility checks, and procedural details referenced throughout this call.

This opportunity provides scholarships for up to 5 students enrolled in the Master in International Business and Entrepreneurship (MIBE) at the University of Pavia (UNIPV) to undertake a double degree programme at the University of Vaasa in Finland. The scholarships, funded through the EU co-funded DIGI-ME project (Grant Agreement 101123009), support mobility from August 2026 to July 2027, focusing on advanced digital technologies in innovation management and entrepreneurship.

Opportunity Overview

The DIGI-ME project, co-funded by the Digital Europe Programme, aims to develop digital skills for transformative innovation. This specific call targets UNIPV MIBE students for a 9-12 month double degree mobility at University of Vaasa. Total funding available is €40,000, distributed as lump sums covering living, subsistence, and travel costs.

Key Dates:Opening: 8 April 2026 (09:00 CET); Deadline: 7 June 2026 (17:00 CET, Brussels time). Results expected around 11 June 2026, with mobility starting August 2026.

Primary Sources:Official call: EU Funding & Tenders Portal; Guidelines: DIGI-ME Guidelines; MIBE DIGI-ME page: MIBE DIGI-ME; Project site: DIGI-ME Project.

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet all criteria to be eligible. Non-compliant applications are rejected during initial check.

• Enrolled full-time in UNIPV MIBE programme for academic year 2025-2026, within standard duration, not on leave, tuition fees paid.
• Citizens of EU/EEA or Digital Europe Programme (DEP) associated countries (e.g., Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein, Ukraine, Switzerland, and specific acceding/candidate countries like Albania, Serbia; full list in DEP Countries. ¹
• English proficiency: IELTS 6.5, TOEFL iBT 88, Cambridge C1/C2 180, or fully English-taught Bachelor's (native speakers exempt).
• No other EU funding for the same purpose.

Financial Support Details

Lump sum scholarships for 9-12 months mobility, up to 5 awards from €40,000 total. Comprises fixed (A, B, C) and optional (D) components.

Payment:80% after Mobility/Learning Agreement and bank details; 20% balance post-mobility upon compliance (full period, results, admin). Taxable as income (IRPEF possible), included in ISEE; UNIPV issues certification.

Application Process and Required Documents

Submit exclusively via dedicated online form by deadline. All docs in PDF.

• Transcripts of Records (MIBE exams/grades).
• CV (max 3 pages, no photo).
• Motivation Letter/Personal Statement (max 3 pages, aligning background to DIGI-ME double degree).
• English proficiency proof.
• Passport/ID copy.
• Optional: gender, age, socio-economic info for tie-breakers/diversity.

Evaluation and Selection

Three-step:admissibility/eligibility check, expert panel evaluation (UNIPV professors), ranking. Threshold: 70/100. Up to 5 awarded by merit order; reserve list possible.

Tie-breakers prioritize:females, low socio-economic, disabilities, low DESI countries, minorities. Results via email; accept within 5 business days to digi-me@unipv.it. Appeals within 3 business days.

Post-Selection Obligations

• Sign Mobility/Learning Agreement.
• Complete 9-12 months mobility Aug 2026-Jul 2027.
• Select Vaasa courses from DIGI-ME offerings (e.g., Sustainable Global Business, Strategic Business Development). ²
• Fulfil admin/reporting; non-compliance risks repayment/exclusion.
• Cancellations only for force majeure; refund required.

Additional Information

This is cascade funding via UNIPV (not direct EU action). Data processed per GDPR (Privacy). Contact: digi-me@unipv.it. Outcomes published on MIBE website.

Footnotes

1. 1Entities under EU restrictive measures ineligible.
2. 2MIBE DIGI-ME courses include Financial Markets and Sustainability, Project Management of Digital Transformation, etc.