Phortify Grants for Master Thesis Project - Pilot Call

Phortify announces a pilot cascade funding call to support up to two Master’s thesis projects in collaboration with SMART Photonics with a total budget of €6,300 and individual lump-sum awards of €3,150 to cover travel, accommodation, subsistence and other thesis-related costs. Eligible applicants are students enrolled in participating Phortify Master’s programmes and nationals of EU Member States, associated countries or other countries listed as eligible for the call, with a minimum GPA requirement specified in the call. The call opens 4 February 2026 and closes 3 February 2027 with rolling evaluation rounds and a two-stage selection process consisting of eligibility verification and a comparative scored assessment. The opportunity is administered and financed by Phortify (Grant Agreement 101226191, Digital Europe Programme) and applications must be submitted via the MyPhortify portal.

What it funds

Brief summary

Lump-sum grants for Master thesis projects aligned with the Phortify thematic areas and carried out in collaboration with a Phortify industry or research partner (pilot round focuses on projects with SMART Photonics). Grants may be used for travel, accommodation, subsistence and other study-related costs during the thesis period.

Funding available:Total call budget €6,300; up to two individual lump-sum grants of €3,150 each (not linked to duration).

1. 1Who can apply: students enrolled in one of the participating Phortify Master programmes at a consortium university and taking the Phortify track.
2. 2Nationality: nationals of EU Member States, associated countries or countries cooperating with the EU under the Digital Europe Programme (authoritative list published with the call).
3. 3How to apply: submit applications via the Phortify MyPhortify portal and follow local application forms and instructions on the Phortify website MyPhortify ¹.
4. 4Selection: two-stage process — eligibility check (pass/fail) then comparative assessment scored on Academic Excellence, Motivation/Alignment with Phortify objectives, and Overall Applicant Profile (0–5 points each, max 15).
5. 5Timing: rolling call with evaluation rounds every 2–3 months until budget is exhausted.

Partner implementing this pilot offering:SMART Photonics (industrial host and selection coordination). The call is launched and administered by Phortify; publication on the EU portal is for visibility and the funding is provided directly by Phortify under its own responsibility.

Footnotes

1. 1Apply and find full eligibility/evaluation documents on MyPhortify: phortify.eu.

Phortify Grants for Master Thesis Projects provide lump-sum financial support to Master’s students enrolled in Phortify-participating programmes to complete thesis projects aligned with photonics and related digital technologies. This pilot call supports Master’s thesis projects implemented in collaboration with SMART Photonics, giving students hands-on experience in an industrial research and innovation environment. Funding contributes to living, mobility, and study-related expenses incurred during the thesis period. The call is published on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal for visibility but is implemented and financed solely by Phortify.

Scope and Activities Supported

The pilot call supports Master’s thesis projects aligned with the thematic focus of Phortify and performed in collaboration with SMART Photonics. Thesis topics should address real-world challenges in photonics and related digital technologies. Eligible use of funds covers costs contributing to the successful completion of the thesis project, including travel, accommodation, subsistence, and other study-related expenses linked to the thesis activities.

Participating Partner for the Pilot

SMART Photonics is the participating industrial partner for this pilot call. As a leading foundry for integrated photonic circuits, SMART Photonics focuses on indium phosphide photonic chips and solutions for data and telecommunications, sensing (including LiDAR), and medical applications.

Eligibility

• Applicant status: Individuals who are enrolled in one of the participating Phortify Master’s programmes at a consortium university and who participate in the Phortify project through that enrolment.
• Nationality: Applicants must be nationals of an EU Member State, an associated country, or a country maintaining an ongoing cooperation agreement with the European Union under the Digital Europe Programme. Eligible countries include, inter alia, participants in Digital Partnerships, Trade and Technology Councils, and other formal digital cooperation frameworks. The authoritative list of eligible countries will be published for this call and may be updated per European Commission guidance.
• Academic requirement: Minimum cumulative GPA equivalent to 3.2/4.0, 16/20, or 80% (or equivalent on the local grading scale), evidenced by official BSc and, where applicable, MSc transcripts.
• The thesis project must be offered and implemented in collaboration with SMART Photonics under this pilot.

Mandatory application documents:1) Latest official academic BSc and MSc (if applicable) transcripts meeting the minimum GPA requirement; 2) Phortify-specific motivation letter describing the applicant’s motivation for funding and alignment with Phortify objectives; 3) Curriculum vitae (CV). Applications missing any required document or failing minimum eligibility are ineligible and not evaluated further.

How to Apply

1. 1Consult the MyPhortify page for this pilot call with instructions and links to relevant local application forms: MyPhortify
2. 2Prepare the required documents: transcripts, motivation letter, CV.
3. 3Submit the application via the Phortify website using the forms indicated for the pilot call.

Funding opportunities are advertised via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal, the official Phortify website, and partner websites. All applications must be submitted through the Phortify website and the dedicated MyPhortify environment.

Funding and Financial Provisions

• Available grants: Up to two Master’s thesis projects supported, subject to budget and evaluation outcomes.
• Grant size: €3,150 per award (lump sum, not linked to duration).
• Eligible costs: Contribution to thesis-related expenses including travel, accommodation, and subsistence. No other activities are eligible.
• Disbursement: Financial support provided directly by Phortify.

Evaluation and Selection

A predefined evaluation framework, applicable across partner institutions, is published on the Phortify website. It ensures transparency, equal treatment, consistency, and alignment with Phortify’s objectives, including Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) principles.

Two-stage process

1. 1Stage 1 – Eligibility verification (pass/fail): Completeness check against eligibility criteria and mandatory documents.
2. 2Stage 2 – Comparative assessment and ranking: Scored review on a 0–5 scale per criterion; maximum total score 15 points.

Evaluation criteria (0–5 points each; max 15):Academic excellence: Performance, relevance of prior studies, and preparedness for the proposed thesis. Motivation and alignment with Phortify objectives: Quality and relevance of the motivation letter and alignment with educational and societal goals. Overall applicant profile: Skills, experience, background, and potential contribution to the Phortify community as evidenced by the CV.

Ranking, allocation, and frequency:Rolling call procedure during the open period. Evaluations occur at regular intervals, typically every 2–3 months, or more frequently depending on application volume and budget. Eligible applications are ranked by merit and funded until the budget is exhausted. Where results are identical or comparable, tie-break rules prioritise underrepresented groups, including women and students from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds, consistent with DEI objectives.

Governance and transparency:Local selection committees established by SMART Photonics, in coordination with the Phortify Consortium, conduct evaluations. Conflicts of interest must be declared and managed. Outcomes and funding decisions are documented, communicated to the Phortify Coordinator, and reported in aggregate per project obligations.

Key Thematic Areas and Industrial Context

Projects are expected to align with photonics and related digital technologies. SMART Photonics provides an industrial research context in integrated photonics, including indium phosphide photonic integrated circuits, with applications in data and telecommunications, sensing (e.g., LiDAR), and medical technologies. Broader Phortify expertise spans photonics materials and nanophotonics, optical design and imaging, optical metrology and instrumentation, quantum communication/imaging/information, devices and detectors, ultrafast and nonlinear optics, and translational biophotonics.

Administrative Details and Legal Disclaimer

• Grant agreement reference of the underlying EU-funded project: 101226191.
• Programme context: Digital Europe Programme (Specialised Education Programmes in Key Capacity Areas).
• Legal disclaimer: This call and its financial support are not an EU action. Funding is provided by Phortify under its own responsibility. Publication on the EU portal is solely for information and visibility and does not constitute EU approval of the call conditions.

Categorisation and Structured Information

Eligible Applicant Types:Individual Master’s students enrolled in participating Phortify Master’s programmes at consortium universities. No legal entities such as startups, SMEs, large enterprises, or public bodies are eligible as applicants for this pilot; applications are individual.

Funding Type:Grant. Specifically a lump-sum grant provided through a cascade funding mechanism administered by Phortify.

Consortium Requirement:Single applicant. The student undertakes the thesis in collaboration with the designated industrial partner (SMART Photonics) under this pilot, but no formal multi-beneficiary consortium proposal is required.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility):Nationals of EU Member States, associated countries, or countries with ongoing cooperation agreements with the European Union under the Digital Europe Programme, including countries in Digital Partnerships, Trade and Technology Councils, and formal digital dialogues. The authoritative list of eligible countries will be published by Phortify for this call and may be updated following European Commission guidance. Enrollment in a participating Phortify Master’s programme is additionally required.

Target Sector:Photonics and optics; integrated photonics and semiconductors; ICT and digital technologies; sensing and LiDAR; telecommunications and data communications; medical and biophotonics; quantum communication, imaging and information; optical metrology and instrumentation; ultrafast and nonlinear optics; devices and detectors; optical design and imaging; innovation and commercialisation in photonics.

Mentioned Countries:Belgium (Vrije Universiteit Brussel), Netherlands (Eindhoven University of Technology; SMART Photonics; High Tech Campus Eindhoven), Poland (Warsaw University of Technology), Finland (University of Eastern Finland), Germany (Friedrich-Schiller University Jena; Active Fiber Systems GmbH), Italy (Consiglio Nazionale delle Ricerche, CNR-IFN), Spain (Fundacio Institut de Ciencies Fotoniques, ICFO). Regionally, the call references EU Member States and eligible third countries cooperating under the Digital Europe Programme.

Project Stage:Research and development within a Master’s thesis context, with elements of validation and demonstration in an industrial R&I setting.

Funding Amount:€3,150 per grant (lump sum, not linked to duration). Up to two grants available under the pilot, for a total of €6,300.

Application Type:Open call during the specified period with rolling evaluation. Single-stage submission via the Phortify website and MyPhortify environment.

Nature of Support:Money. Beneficiaries receive a lump-sum financial contribution to eligible thesis-related expenses.

Application Stages:2 stages: 1) Eligibility verification (pass/fail). 2) Comparative assessment and ranking (scored, max 15 points).

Success Rates:Not specified. The pilot budget enables up to two grants; awards are made by merit ranking in periodic evaluation rounds until the budget is exhausted.

Co-funding Requirement:No explicit co-funding requirement is stated. The grant is a fixed lump-sum contribution to eligible thesis-related expenses; any additional costs beyond the lump sum would need to be covered by the student or other sources.

Templates and Application Structure

Applications are submitted through MyPhortify using call-specific forms. While no standalone downloadable templates are provided in the scraped content, the required documentation and evaluation criteria imply the following structure to guide applicants:

1. 1Applicant information: Personal details; nationality; programme of enrolment; Phortify-participating university; confirmation of thesis collaboration with SMART Photonics.
2. 2Academic transcripts: Official BSc and, if applicable, MSc transcripts with GPA clearly indicated and meeting the minimum threshold (3.2/4.0, 16/20, or 80% equivalent).
3. 3Curriculum Vitae (CV): Education; technical skills (e.g., photonics, optics, integrated photonics, semiconductor fabrication, optical design tools); research experience; publications or projects; awards; language skills; relevant internships or industry exposure; extracurricular activities demonstrating leadership or community engagement.
4. 4Motivation letter (Phortify-specific): 1–2 pages recommended. a) Motivation to apply for Phortify funding; b) Alignment with Phortify’s educational and societal objectives, including an understanding of photonics’ role in industry and society; c) Fit with SMART Photonics’ industrial focus areas (e.g., indium phosphide PICs, datacom/telecom, sensing/LiDAR, medical applications); d) Thesis plan overview and expected learning outcomes; e) Personal background and potential contribution to the Phortify community. Applicants from underrepresented groups may describe relevant context, consistent with DEI objectives.
5. 5Thesis project summary: Working title; objectives; methods; expected results; alignment with Phortify topical areas; description of collaboration with SMART Photonics and intended industrial supervision or mentorship.
6. 6Declarations: Confirmation of eligibility; consent to data processing; conflict-of-interest declarations if requested; acknowledgement of the call’s conditions and use of funds.

Important Dates and Process Rhythm

• Call open: 04 February 2026.
• Deadline: 03 February 2027 (23:59 Brussels time).
• Rolling evaluation rounds: Typically every 2–3 months; may accelerate depending on submission volume and remaining budget.
• Funding allocated by merit order until budget exhaustion.

Where to Find More Information

• EU Funding & Tenders Portal call page: EU F&T listing
• Phortify application environment: MyPhortify
• Industrial partner context: SMART Photonics

Summary

This Phortify pilot call offers two lump-sum grants of €3,150 to support Master’s thesis projects implemented in collaboration with SMART Photonics. It targets enrolled Master’s students within Phortify-participating programmes who can demonstrate strong academic performance and clear motivation aligned with Phortify’s goals to advance photonics education and address societal and industrial challenges. The call prioritises inclusivity through DEI-informed tie-break rules and aims to provide students with practical exposure to integrated photonics and related digital technologies in an industrial R&I environment. Applications are submitted via MyPhortify and evaluated in two stages: eligibility verification and comparative assessment using three criteria (academic excellence, motivation and alignment, overall applicant profile). Awards are made on a rolling basis throughout the open period until the budget is fully allocated. The funding is a non-duration-linked lump sum intended to defray mobility, subsistence, and study-related costs specifically tied to the thesis. Although the opportunity is visible on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal, it is not an EU direct action; Phortify administers and finances the grants under its own responsibility. In essence, this is a focused, student-centric funding opportunity to execute high-quality, industry-linked Master’s theses in cutting-edge photonics, particularly integrated photonics, with strong relevance to ICT, sensing, telecommunications, and biophotonics applications.

This pilot call provides financial support for up to two Master's thesis projects in collaboration with SMART Photonics, focusing on photonics and related digital technologies. The total funding available is €6300, offered as lump-sum grants of €3150 each to cover living, mobility, and study-related expenses during the thesis period.

Opportunity Overview

Phortify is an EU co-funded project (Grant Agreement 101226191) under the Digital Europe Programme DIGITAL-2024, aimed at enhancing photonics education across Europe. This cascade funding call supports Master's students undertaking thesis projects aligned with Phortify objectives, implemented with industrial partner SMART Photonics, a leading foundry for integrated photonics.

Key dates:Opens 4 February 2026, closes 3 February 2027 (23:59 Brussels time). It operates as a rolling call with evaluations every 2-3 months or as needed.

Funding Details:Total budget: €6300. Up to 2 grants of €3150 each (lump sum, not linked to duration). Funds eligible for travel, accommodation, subsistence, and other thesis-related costs only.

Eligibility Criteria

• Enrolled in one of the participating Phortify Master's programmes at a consortium university (7 universities including VUB, TU/e, WUT, UEF, UniJena).
• Participating in the Phortify project via enrolment in the relevant Master's programme.
• National of an EU Member State, associated country, or country with EU cooperation under Digital Europe Programme (authoritative list published with call).
• Minimum CGPA: 3.2/4.0, 16/20, 80%, or equivalent.

Required documents:Official BSc/MSc transcripts, Phortify-specific motivation letter, CV. Incomplete applications are ineligible.

Application Process

Applications submitted via the MyPhortify page on the Phortify website MyPhortify, which lists opportunities, instructions, and local forms. Advertised on EU Funding & Tenders Portal EU Portal, Phortify site, and partner sites.

Evaluation and Selection

Two-stage process:1) Eligibility check (pass/fail); 2) Comparative scoring (0-5 per criterion, max 15 points).

Scoring Criteria:Academic Excellence (academic performance, study relevance, thesis preparedness); Motivation and Alignment with Phortify Objectives; Overall Applicant Profile (skills, experience, CV).

Ranking by merit; funding until budget exhausted. Ties broken favouring underrepresented groups (women, disadvantaged backgrounds) per DEI principles. Evaluated by SMART Photonics committees in coordination with Phortify Consortium.

Phortify Project Context

Phortify harmonises photonics education across 12 partners (7 universities, research institutes, industry like SMART Photonics). Offers 2-year Master's in Photonics Engineering with mobility, industry placements, and Phortify Certificate. Emphasises DEI, supporting underrepresented groups in STEM.

• Participating universities: VUB, TU/e, WUT, UEF, UniJena, others.
• Industry partner for this call: SMART Photonics SMART Photonics, specialising in integrated photonics for telecom, sensing, medical applications.

Important Notes

This is cascade funding by Phortify, not a direct EU action. Phortify handles all responsibilities. Note minor discrepancies in opening date across sources (4 Feb vs 3 Feb 2026); refer to official EU portal.

Phortify promotes inclusivity, with tie-breakers for underrepresented applicants ¹.

Footnotes

1. 1DEI focus aligns with widening participation for women, gender minorities, low-income students, first-generation, disabled, and minority groups.