FuseNet Support of Master Students going on an internship abroad

FuseNet offers cascade funding to support Master students in fusion for internships abroad, with a total envelope of €100,000 for the 2026 call. The call opens 18 February 2026 and closes 31 December 2026 (23:59 Brussels time); applications must be submitted via the FuseNet internship webpage at least two weeks before the internship start and no later than six months after the planned start. Eligible applicants must have their home university in a EUROfusion member state and meet FuseNet membership-related conditions; hosts may be fusion research centres or universities worldwide and internships must last between 6 weeks and 6 months. Financial support comprises a one-off distance-based travel grant and a lump-sum subsistence allowance of €500 per month (capped at six months), awards are decided by the FuseNet Executive Office (with Academic Council review if needed) and payments follow an initial and final claims process with decisions communicated by email within two weeks of a complete submission.

What it funds

Scope of support

Small grants to help MSc students in fusion undertake internships at fusion research centres or universities (host may be outside Europe). Support covers a fixed travel allowance (distance-based) and accommodation/living support (duration-based).

Total budget:€100,000 allocated to this call.

Who can apply:MSc students registered at universities that are FuseNet members and/or doing their internship at a FuseNet member host; the student's home university must be located in one of the EUROfusion member states.

Project duration supported:Internships between 6 weeks and 6 months are eligible.

Key deadlines:Opening date 18 February 2026. Final deadline 31 December 2026 23:59 (Brussels time).

Application timing requirements:Applications must be submitted at least 2 weeks before the internship start and no later than 6 months after the internship start.

Selection and decision:Applications are submitted via the FuseNet portal and evaluated by the FuseNet Executive Office; decisions are communicated by email within 2 weeks after complete submission.

1. 1Applicants must declare other funding sources (scholarships, host salary, other grants).
2. 2Prior FuseNet funding may restrict eligibility; see terms and conditions.
3. 3Use institutional email for communications and follow FuseNet claim procedures for initial and final claims.

Apply and find full terms and claim forms on the FuseNet internship support page FuseNet internship support. ¹

Footnotes

1. 1Terms and conditions, claim forms and detailed eligibility rules are published on the FuseNet page linked above (last updated 26/01/2026).

This is a cascade funding opportunity under the EUROfusion umbrella to financially support MSc students in fusion who undertake internships abroad. The scheme provides fixed travel support based on distance and accommodation/living support based on internship duration. Applications must be submitted via the dedicated FuseNet webpage, are evaluated by the FuseNet Executive Office, and decisions are communicated within two weeks after complete submission. Hosts can be anywhere worldwide, while applicants must have their home university in one of the EUROfusion member states and meet FuseNet membership-related conditions. The call is single-stage, open between 18 February 2026 and 31 December 2026 (23:59 Brussels time), with total available funding of €100,000.

Primary sources:EU Funding & Tenders Portal entry for the competitive cascade call and the FuseNet scheme page with terms and conditions and claims forms. Access the official call page and application guidance at: EU Funding & Tenders Portal entry EU Portal call page and FuseNet scheme page FuseNet internship support.

Key facts

Eligibility and scope

Who can apply:MSc students in fusion. The applicant must be registered at a university that is a FuseNet member and/or conduct the internship at a host that is a FuseNet member. In addition, the applicant’s home university must be located in one of the EUROfusion member states. The internship itself must be at a fusion research centre or a university involved in fusion research, and the location can be outside Europe. The intended internship duration must be between 6 weeks and 6 months.

Timing rules:The application must be submitted at least two weeks before the start date and within six months of the internship start. Applicants must disclose all other sources of financial support related to the internship, such as scholarships, grants, host compensation or salary, and funds from other EU schemes. Funding may be restricted if the student has previously received support from FuseNet, according to the scheme’s terms and conditions. Applicants are instructed to use their institutional email in all communications.

Funding structure and financial conditions

Type of support:Fixed travel support depending on travel distance, and fixed accommodation/living support depending on internship duration. The exact per-student amounts are defined by FuseNet and applied consistently across awards under this scheme. Total envelope for this competitive cascade call is €100,000.

Interaction with other funding:Other funding sources must be indicated. Receipt of other support does not automatically exclude applicants, but may influence the final award or restrictions, and past FuseNet funding can trigger limits as per the terms and conditions published by FuseNet.

Application and evaluation process

1. 1Check eligibility: MSc in fusion, membership conditions (home and/or host FuseNet membership), home university in a EUROfusion member state, internship at fusion research centre or university involved in fusion research, internship duration 6 weeks to 6 months.
2. 2Prepare application: Include internship details, duration and planned dates; disclose other funding sources; ensure submission timing is at least two weeks before and within six months after the internship start; use institutional email.
3. 3Submit via the FuseNet webpage for internship support: FuseNet internship support.
4. 4Evaluation: FuseNet Executive Office reviews submissions; if eligibility is unclear, the Academic Council of FuseNet is consulted in written procedure. The Academic Council’s decision is final and binding.
5. 5Communication: Decisions are sent by email within two weeks after complete submission.
6. 6Claims process: Use the available initial claims form and final claims form provided on the FuseNet page after award.

Categorization and structured information

Eligible Applicant Types:Individual MSc students focused on fusion. Institutional involvement is via membership conditions for the applicant’s university and/or the host institution being FuseNet members. Universities and research institutes act as hosts or home institutions but are not the direct applicants; the beneficiary is the individual student.

Funding Type:Grant via cascade funding. Financial support is disbursed as fixed travel and accommodation/living contributions to individual students under the EUROfusion Grant Agreement 101052200.

Consortium Requirement:Single applicant. No multi-beneficiary consortium is required. The internship host and home university provide contextual eligibility via FuseNet/EUROfusion membership conditions but are not co-applicants.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility):Applicants must have their home university in a EUROfusion member state. Internship hosts can be global; the scheme explicitly allows internships outside Europe provided they are at fusion research centres or universities involved in fusion research.

Target Sector:Fusion energy, nuclear research, education and training, student mobility, research internships at universities and fusion research centres.

Mentioned Countries:No specific countries are listed in the call text. The region explicitly referenced is EUROfusion member states for the applicant’s home university. Hosts may be worldwide.

Project Stage:Education and training through internships. Practical exposure and skills development stage rather than R&D project execution; applicable to preparation and implementation of internships lasting 6 weeks to 6 months.

Funding Amount:Total available budget for this competitive cascade call is €100,000. Individual awards consist of fixed travel support based on distance and fixed accommodation/living support based on internship duration; exact per-student amounts are not specified in the provided text and are defined by FuseNet in the scheme conditions.

Application Type:Open call during the published window, single-stage submission via the FuseNet webpage dedicated to internship support.

Nature of Support:Money. Beneficiaries receive financial contributions for travel and accommodation/living costs.

Application Stages:1 stage for application and decision. After award, beneficiaries follow the claims process using initial and final claims forms.

Success Rates:Not specified in the available documentation. No acceptance rate, number of expected awards, or historical statistics are provided.

Co-funding Requirement:No explicit co-funding requirement is stated. Applicants must disclose all other funding sources related to the internship. Prior FuseNet support can restrict new funding, per the scheme’s terms and conditions.

Templates and forms

The FuseNet scheme page provides forms and documentation to manage awards and claims. Available resources include:

• Terms and Conditions (last updated 26/01/2026), accessible from the FuseNet page.
• Initial claims form, to initiate reimbursement or stipend processing after award.
• Final claims form, to complete reimbursement or stipend processing at the end of the internship.
• Instructions reminding applicants to use institutional email for all communications.

Applicants should expect to provide, as applicable under these forms:personal and institutional details, confirmation of MSc status in fusion, home university location and membership context, host institution details and involvement in fusion research, internship dates and duration, travel distance for calculating travel support, accommodation/living duration for calculating living support, and full disclosure of other funding sources.

Where and how to apply

1. 1Review the call on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal: EU Portal call page.
2. 2Prepare your application and submit through the FuseNet page: FuseNet internship support.
3. 3Consult information about EUROfusion membership and participating countries via EUROfusion Consortium Members.

Compliance and decision-making

Applications are screened by the FuseNet Executive Office. In cases of doubt over eligibility, the Academic Council of FuseNet renders a final, binding decision through written procedure. Applicants are notified by email of the outcome within two weeks after complete submission. Awarded students proceed using the provided claims forms in accordance with the terms and conditions, including restrictions where prior FuseNet support has been received.

Comprehensive summary

This cascade funding opportunity supports MSc students specializing in fusion to complete internships abroad, thereby enhancing educational quality through international exchanges. Funded under the EUROfusion Euratom framework (Grant Agreement 101052200), the scheme offers fixed travel contributions based on distance and fixed accommodation/living contributions based on the length of stay, for internships lasting between 6 weeks and 6 months. The home university must be in a EUROfusion member state, and either the home or host must be a FuseNet member. Hosts can be worldwide as long as they are fusion research centres or universities engaged in fusion research. Applications are single-stage, submitted via the FuseNet webpage at least two weeks before and within six months of the internship start, disclosing all other financial support. Decisions are delivered within two weeks by the FuseNet Executive Office, with the Academic Council issuing final decisions in case of eligibility doubts. Total available funding for the call is €100,000. Beneficiaries receive monetary support and follow the initial and final claims processes per the published terms and conditions. The opportunity is targeted at individual MSc students in nuclear fusion, bridging education, research exposure, and international mobility to build the next generation of fusion experts.

Funding Opportunity Overview

This funding scheme supports Master students in fusion education who undertake internships abroad at fusion research centres or universities involved in fusion research. The initiative, managed by the FuseNet Association (The European Fusion Education Network), aims to enhance educational quality through international mobility and exposure to cutting-edge fusion research facilities across the continent and beyond ¹.

Total Funding Available:€100,000 allocated for the 2026 call period.

Call Timeline:Open from 18 February 2026 with a single deadline of 31 December 2026 at 23:59 (Brussels time). This extended deadline provides applicants with substantial time to plan and execute their internship projects.

Who Can Apply

Primary Eligibility Requirements

• Master students currently enrolled in universities located in EUROfusion member states
• Students who have graduated within the last six months from a FuseNet member university
• Students whose home university is a FuseNet member and/or whose internship host is a FuseNet member institution
• Students enrolled in standard Master programmes or graduate courses outside the Bachelor-Master structure (such as UK MPhys or Croatian integrated master programmes, who become eligible from the summer before their graduate year begins)

The eligible geographic scope includes all 25 EUROfusion member states plus Switzerland, Ukraine and the United Kingdom ². Internship placements are not limited to Europe but can be located at fusion research institutions worldwide.

Internship-Specific Requirements

• Internship must be in a fusion-relevant project, defined as work directly supporting fusion research activities
• Internship must be conducted in a country different from the student's home university country
• Minimum duration of 6 weeks; maximum support covers 6 months of internship activity
• Internship should be uninterrupted, though holiday periods up to 14 days are excluded from funding calculations
• Holiday periods exceeding 14 days between internship segments are excluded from funding eligibility

Funding History Restrictions

Students cannot have received FuseNet internship funding within the past 12 months ³. However, a limited exception exists allowing a second internship within a 12-month period if travel support is not claimed for the second internship and combined subsistence support does not exceed 6 months. This provision allows students to undertake two shorter internships instead of one longer placement if required by their curriculum.

Funding Conflict Restrictions

Students cannot receive other sources of funding for the same internship through EUROfusion (direct or indirect support) or other Horizon Europe programme support schemes. All alternative funding sources, compensation from the host institute, or salary arrangements must be declared on the application.

Financial Support Structure

Travel Support

Fixed travel grants are provided based on the distance between the student's home city and the internship location. Distance calculations use the Erasmus+ distance calculator, determined as a single-way distance ⁴:

Travel support is only provided once per internship. If a student obtains travel support through other Horizon Europe schemes or external sources, FuseNet travel support becomes void and no payment is made.

Subsistence and Accommodation Support

A lump-sum monthly allowance of €500 is provided to cover living expenses and accommodation costs. For internships lasting less than six full months, the amount is calculated proportionally, with one month defined as 30 days. The maximum total subsistence support is capped at €3,000, corresponding to a six-month internship. For internships lasting fractional months, the remaining period is calculated using the fraction formula (days remaining divided by 30 multiplied by 500 euros). For students undertaking two internships within 12 months, the combined subsistence support maximum remains 6 months total.

Application Process and Timeline

Submission Requirements

1. 1Applications must be submitted through the dedicated FuseNet website at [[fusenet.eu
2. 2Submission deadline: at least 2 weeks before the planned internship start date
3. 3Time constraint: the internship must commence no later than 6 months after the application submission date
4. 4All communication must use institutional email addresses

Evaluation and Decision Timeline

The FuseNet Executive Office reviews applications for eligibility based on the stated requirements. Decisions are communicated to applicants via email within 2 weeks of complete application submission. In cases of eligibility doubt, the Academic Council of FuseNet conducts a written procedure review, and their decision is final and binding with no right of appeal. Funding is awarded on a first-come, first-served basis subject to budget availability.

Payment and Claims Procedure

Approved applicants receive funding in two instalments:an initial payment at internship commencement and a final payment following internship completion. Students must submit claims and required supporting evidence through a designated form on the FuseNet website. At final claims submission, students must declare they have not obtained other funding for the internship through EUROfusion or other Horizon Europe schemes.

Key Conditions and Obligations

• Internship topic must have clear relevance to fusion energy research and development
• Internship location must be in a fusion research centre or university conducting fusion research
• No hourly or daily payment caps apply; the scheme provides fixed travel and monthly subsistence amounts
• Students who do not start the internship lose their right to claim support
• Any publications resulting in whole or in part from the funded internship must include acknowledgement to the EUROfusion consortium and FuseNet Association
• Students must provide evidence of internship completion with supporting documentation from the host institution

Strategic Context and Network

This funding scheme operates under the EUROfusion consortium umbrella, which brings together fusion research institutes from 25 EU member states plus Switzerland, Ukraine and the United Kingdom. EUROfusion is funded through the Euratom Research and Training Programme (Horizon Europe) and operates fusion research facilities across Europe, including major tokamaks and stellarators. FuseNet, as the European Fusion Education Network established in 2010, complements this research infrastructure by developing and supporting educational pathways for the next generation of fusion researchers ⁵.

Additional Resources and Support

For detailed terms and conditions, guidance documents, and application forms, applicants should visit the FuseNet education support page. The FuseNet Association maintains an extensive network of member universities and research institutions across Europe that host fusion-related internships. Students can explore internship opportunities at state-of-the-art fusion facilities and contribute to research projects spanning plasma physics, engineering, materials science and other fusion-relevant disciplines.

Footnotes

1. 1FuseNet provides multiple funding and support schemes including educational events, workshops for Master and PhD students, and international lecturer exchange programmes, with internship support being a core component of the association's activities.
2. 2EUROfusion member states include Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, and Sweden, plus Switzerland, Ukraine and the United Kingdom.
3. 3This 12-month restriction means a student cannot simultaneously or sequentially receive FuseNet internship funding for overlapping or proximate internship periods, preventing double-funding scenarios.
4. 4Distance calculations use the official Erasmus+ distance calculator tool maintained by the European Commission for consistency across educational mobility programmes.
5. 5EUROfusion research programmes are guided by the European Roadmap to Fusion Energy, which outlines scientific and technological pathways to realise fusion electricity by 2050, with intermediate milestones including the ITER project and the future DEMO demonstrator plant.