DigiQ Exchange Program

The DigiQ Exchange Program is an open call for financial support aimed at Master's students and recent graduates within the DigiQ network. This initiative offers stipends for participation in exchange semesters or thesis projects related to quantum technology. The funding, amounting to a total of €200,000, will support up to 55 students until September 30, 2026. Eligible applicants must be enrolled in relevant Master's programs or hold recent qualifications from the DigiQ network.

Students can receive financial support of up to €6,120, with monthly stipends varying by host country. Group 1 countries like Denmark and Sweden can receive up to €900 per month, Group 2 countries like Germany and France up to €800, and Group 3 countries including Bulgaria and Serbia up to €700. Additional support is available for disadvantaged students, and optional top-ups are allowed for those receiving financial support from other sources.

The application process is single-stage and requires students to contact their local DigiQ coordinator for discussions on exchange possibilities. Submissions must include a motivation letter, CV, and course plan, which will be evaluated based on academic performance, motivation, and other criteria.

The program emphasizes diversity, equity, and inclusion by ensuring a fair selection process that accounts for various socio-economic backgrounds. All participating students must undertake institutional mobility, meaning the home and host institutions must differ.

In summary, the DigiQ Exchange Program is designed to enhance education in quantum technology through international academic exchanges, promoting collaboration and networking among institutions in Europe. The funding structure supports students’ academic growth while adhering to DEI principles, ensuring inclusive access to opportunities.

The DigiQ Exchange Program is an open call for students to receive financial support to participate in exchange semesters or thesis projects at partner universities within the DigiQ: Digitally Enhanced European Quantum Technology Master project. This project falls under the DIGITAL-2021-SKILLS-01-SPECIALISED topic, which focuses on specialized education programs in key capacity areas. The grant agreement number is 101084035.

The program is open for submissions with an opening date of February 11, 2025, and a deadline of March 31, 2026, at 17:00 (Brussels time). The expected duration of participation is a maximum of 6 months. A total funding of €200,000 is available across the entire consortium. Funding is provided by the student's home, host, or other DigiQ partner. The project acronym is DigiQ, and the full name of the EU-funded project is DigiQ: Digitally Enhanced European Quantum Technology Master.

The maximum eligible costs of financial support depend on the country of the host institution for in-person participation and the country of the home institution for virtual participation.

Group 1 countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Sweden, United Kingdom, Liechtenstein, Norway) can receive up to €900 per month.
Group 2 countries (Austria, Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Greece, Spain, Cyprus, Netherlands, Malta, Portugal) can receive up to €800 per month.
Group 3 countries (Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Serbia Slovakia, Slovenia, former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey) can receive up to €700 per month.

Disadvantaged students receive an additional €120 per month on top of the monthly stipend. If students already receive financial support from other programs or organizations, they can receive a top-up of up to €100 above the maximum rate of the host institution's country. For virtual participation, the financial support is €150 less than the rate of the home institution's country.

The maximum funding available for a student is €6,120, and a maximum of 55 exchanges/students will be supported. Institutional mobility is required, meaning the home and host institutions must be different. There are different types of mobility support: Living vs. Non-Living mobility. Non-living mobility payment is around €300 monthly for those who do not need to move to a new address. Living mobility payment is up to the regional maximum, either as a stipend or refund, for those who need to move.

To receive funding, students must be enrolled in a relevant Master Degree Programme and be part of a DigiQ network, be committed to joining a DigiQ network at the next possible date, or be a recent graduate with a certification from a DigiQ network. Applications will be evaluated based on the student’s activity in the DigiQ environment and their academic performance in- and outside of the DigiQ Environment.

Exchange opportunities are available flexibly on a case-by-case basis, so students should contact their local DigiQ Coordinator to discuss possibilities. When awarding internships, local coordinators are expected to form a local mobility committee that aligns with DigiQ DEI guidelines to evaluate applications, locally advertise opportunities for DigiQ mobility funding, identify potential funding sources, and notify the WP4 Leader before finalizing funding decisions.

Required documentation includes a motivation letter stating the value of the exchange, a CV, and a course plan/learning agreement. Applicants should also check with the local coordinator for any additional documents required by the host institution.

The selection process is based on merit, considering academic qualifications and research excellence relative to the opportunities the candidate has had. The local representative will verify eligibility, checking if the student is enrolled in a DigiQ network, if the host institution is a DigiQ Partner, and if funding is available from the home and host institutions. Selection will be carried out by the Mobility Panel (after the ramp-up phase) or the WP leader (during the ramp-up phase).

Evaluation criteria include:

Academic Performance: Grades (3 points), Motivation letter & Course Plan / Learning Agreement (3 points) with clear motivation and research interests (2 points) and match with chosen network event (1 point).
CV (3 points): Prizes, awards, fellowships (1 point), previous research experience (1 point), and publications/other outstanding features (1 point).
Background and Experience (3 points): Sufficient background/training for attending the network event, considering the statement of support.
Learning Potential & Community Service (3 points): Demonstrated potential for leadership and/or experience in leadership roles, including supervision of students, and/or a record of impact on the scientific community.

The selection committee may consider factors such as gender, disability, educational opportunities, socio-economic background, and refugee status.

Mobility guidelines ensure diversity, equity, and inclusion. Mobility committees should have equal gender representation (at least 40% men, 40% women, and 20% of any gender) and actively encourage students from underrepresented genders. 20% of the mobility funding needs to be reserved for under-represented groups. The mobility committee should comprise members from diverse backgrounds, mobility experiences, and perspectives. All members should have equal voting/grading rights and be familiar with local policies. An experienced chair should lead the committee, and proceedings should be documented thoroughly. The DigiQ Executive Board should be thoroughly reported on practices to assign mobility funding and incorporation of DEI guidelines.

The Workpackage 4 Leader will be informed about all successful applications by partner local representatives.

Funding will be provided by DigiQ Partners: Aarhus University, Fundacio Institut de Ciencies Fotoniques, Ceske Vysoke Uceni Technice V Praze, Københavns Universitet, Ruprecht-Karls Universitaet Heidelberg, Universite Paris-Saclay, Ecole Normale Superieure, Universitat de Barcelona, Rheinisch-Wesfaelische Technische Hochschule Aachen, Universitite de Strasbourg, Universidad Autonoma de Barcelona, Sorbonne Universite, Deloitte Technology De Troyes, Instituto Superior Tecnico.

Further information regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion policies can be found in the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion guidelines, Inclusive Communications guidelines, and Selection guidelines. More details about the exchanges are available at https://www.digiq.eu/mobility?network=GIEIP.

In summary, the DigiQ Exchange Program offers financial support to Master's students within the DigiQ network for exchange semesters or thesis projects at partner universities. The program aims to enhance education in quantum technology and related fields. Funding amounts vary based on the host country, with additional support for disadvantaged students. The application process involves contacting the local DigiQ coordinator, submitting required documents, and undergoing a selection process that considers academic merit, research experience, and potential for leadership and community service, while also prioritizing diversity, equity, and inclusion. The program runs until September 30, 2026, and supports both in-person and virtual participation.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are students enrolled in a relevant Master Degree Programme who are part of a DigiQ network, committed to joining a DigiQ network at the next possible date, or recent graduates with a certification from a DigiQ network.

Funding Type: The funding type is a grant, specifically cascade funding provided to students for exchange programs and internships.

Consortium Requirement: A single applicant (student) is required, but they must be associated with the DigiQ network, which is a consortium of institutions. Institutional mobility is required, meaning the home and host institutions must be different.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility is tied to the location of the home and host institutions within the DigiQ partner network, which includes institutions in various European countries and the United Kingdom. The funding amounts vary depending on the country grouping of the host institution (for in-person participation) or the home institution (for virtual participation).

Target Sector: The target sector is specialized education programs in key capacity areas, specifically focusing on digitally enhanced European Quantum Technology.

Mentioned Countries: Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Sweden, United Kingdom, Liechtenstein, Norway, Austria, Belgium, Germany, France, Italy, Greece, Spain, Cyprus, Netherlands, Malta, Portugal, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Poland, Romania, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, Turkey.

Project Stage: The project stage is for students undertaking exchange semesters or thesis projects, which falls under the development and validation stages of their education.

Funding Amount: The maximum funding available for a student is €6,120. The total funding available across the entire consortium is €200,000. Monthly stipends vary based on the host country, ranging from €700 to €900 per month, with additional amounts for disadvantaged students and potential top-ups.

Application Type: The application type is an open call, with exchange opportunities available flexibly on a case-by-case basis. Students should contact their local DigiQ Coordinator to discuss possibilities.

Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive money in the form of stipends and potential refunds for living mobility expenses.

Application Stages: The application process involves multiple stages: contacting the local DigiQ coordinator, submitting required documentation (motivation letter, CV, course plan/learning agreement), eligibility check by the local representative, and selection by the Mobility Panel or WP leader.

Success Rates: The success rates are not explicitly mentioned, but the program aims to support a maximum of 55 exchanges/students, and efforts are made to ensure diversity, equity, and inclusion, suggesting a competitive selection process.

Co-funding Requirement: Co-funding is not explicitly required, but if students already receive financial support from other programs, they can receive a top-up. The program also identifies potential funding sources from the home, host, or another institution in the DigiQ consortium.

Summary:

The DigiQ Exchange Program is an open call providing financial support to Master's students within the DigiQ network for exchange semesters and thesis projects related to quantum technology. The program aims to enhance specialized education in this key capacity area by facilitating mobility and collaboration among partner institutions. Eligible students can receive up to €6,120, with monthly stipends varying based on the host country and individual circumstances. The application process involves contacting the local DigiQ coordinator, submitting required documents, and undergoing eligibility and selection processes managed by local representatives and the Mobility Panel. The program prioritizes diversity, equity, and inclusion, with specific guidelines for mobility committees and efforts to support under-represented groups. The total funding available for the program is €200,000, supporting a maximum of 55 students until September 30, 2026. This initiative allows students to gain international experience, access thesis projects at partner universities, and contribute to the advancement of quantum technology education in Europe.