Recruitment cycle Cohort 2025 – Call 2

The SPECTRO scholarship program, officially titled "Recruitment cycle Cohort 2025 – Call 2," offers financial support to students pursuing specialized master's degrees in cybersecurity and robotics. The total budget for this initiative is €35,000, aimed at supporting scholarships for eligible students. The program has a duration of 18 months, starting on August 18, 2025, with the deadline for applications set for October 20, 2025, at 17:00 Brussels time. The initiative falls under the Digital Europe Programme covering the period 2021-2027.

Students eligible for this program must enroll in double-degree master's programs at participating institutions, specifically focusing on cybersecurity and robotics, both of which fall under the broader education and ICT sectors promoting digital skills. Each scholarship provides a full waiver of €5,000 annually for a total of €10,000 over two years, with the intention to award three scholarships during this call. Eligible applicants must be nationals from EU Member States, EEA countries, or countries associated with the Digital Europe Programme.

The application process entails students first securing admission to one of the SPECTRO master's programs and then applying for the scholarship through a single portal. The application requires documents such as degree certificates, transcripts, proof of English proficiency, and a letter of motivation. The assessment process is merit-based, considering academic results, innovation potential, and financial need, with particular encouragement for female applicants and those from lower innovation regions.

This opportunity is strategically designed to support diversity and inclusion in the technology sectors by facilitating access to advanced education. The implementation involves a consortium of 12 educational institutions and organizations, emphasizing collaboration and shared resources. The program aims to enhance skills in cybersecurity, covering topics like ethical hacking and blockchain technologies, while the robotics program includes areas like Internet of Things and artificial intelligence, preparing students for pivotal roles in the digital transformation of Europe.

This is a call for scholarships under the SPECTRO (SPecialised Education programmes in CybersecuriTy and Robotics) project. This project delivers two double-degree master’s programmes (ISCED Level 7, 120 ECTS) in Cybersecurity and Robotics. The scholarships are designed to promote diversity in terms of gender, age, social, and economic background, providing financial support to eligible students during their two years of studies. This call is a follow-up to the "Recruitment cycle Cohort 2025" call, for the same SPECTRO Master's programme.

The opening date for submissions is August 18, 2025, and the deadline is October 20, 2025, at 17:00 (Brussels time). The expected duration of participation is 18 months. The total funding available is 35,000.00 EUR. The grant agreement number is 101123118. The topic is DIGITAL-2022-SKILLS-03-SPECIALISED-EDU - Specialised education programmes or modules in key capacity areas.

The SPECTRO project is implemented by a consortium of 12 higher education institutions from 7 different countries, 2 innovative SMEs, 1 leading research centre in Information Systems, and EIT Digital.

The two master's programmes offered are:

Cybersecurity: This program provides an overview of cybersecurity's role in creating a safe and inclusive digital society, equipping students with practical skills in ethical hacking, blockchain technologies, and quantum cryptography.

Robotics: This program approaches autonomous systems from both a computer science and an electronic engineering perspective, covering topics from the basics of autonomous systems to specific skills such as Internet of Things (IoT), Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, and Robotics.

Scholarships available are full tuition fee waivers. To apply, candidates must enroll in one of the two SPECTRO master’s programmes via a single application portal, selecting 3 options as Entry University and 3 options as Exit University with order of priority.

Required documents for application include:

Degree Certificate/Diploma in its original language and translated into English (with authorized translator's credentials if needed). If studies are ongoing, a statement from the degree administration office confirming final year enrollment and expected completion date. For Aalto entry, the bachelor's degree must be completed by July 31, 2025.

Official and stamped transcript of records in original language and translated into English, including all courses taken (front and back of every document).

Proof of English proficiency, varying based on the higher education institution/country selected. Refer to the EITD Master School website ‘Admissions’ tab for more information.

Curriculum Vitae including details on your academic and professional career.

A letter of motivation (maximum 3 pages) to prove the innovative potential of the applicant and their need for financial support, including an entrepreneurial idea and explanation of their financial situation.

Supporting documents regarding the applicant’s financial situation (e.g., credit report).

An official ID, such as passport or National ID.

Scholarships are available to nationals of EU Member States (including overseas countries and territories (OCTs)), listed EEA countries, countries associated to the Digital Europe Programme (associated countries), or countries in ongoing negotiations for an association agreement that enters into force before grant signature. Only students enrolled and accepted in one of the SPECTRO Masters’ programmes are eligible.

The scholarships will be awarded based on merit, quantified by a merit score (1 to 5 scale). Three elements are considered: previous academic and professional experience, curriculum vitae, and the letter of motivation. The initial merit score is an average of scores assigned by the Local Programme Coordinators at the Entry and Exit Universities, reviewed by Programme Leaders and the Quality Assurance Manager.

The SPECTRO scholarship programme promotes diversity and inclusion, with priority given to female applicants from any EU country or EU-associated country and to applicants from RIS countries (included in the EIT Regional Innovation Scheme). RIS countries include EU member states, Horizon Europe associated countries, and outermost regions.

The scholarship is reflected as a discount in the tuition fee, with candidates informed of the net amount after deducting the scholarship. The nominal value of the granted scholarship is 5,000 EUR per year.

Three full waiver scholarships are available to be distributed among the two Master’s programmes. Scholarships will be allocated on a rolling basis until all financial support schemes are exhausted.

Application information for robotics: https://masterschool.eitdigital.eu/autonomous-systems
Application information for cybersecurity: https://masterschool.eitdigital.eu/cyber-security
Application process: https://academy.eitdigital.eu/
Further information: https://www.eitdigital.eu/eu-collaborations/spectro/
Programme fees: https://masterschool.eitdigital.eu/admissions/fees
Required documents: https://masterschool.eitdigital.eu/admissions/required-documents
Email: spectro@eitdigital.eu

In summary, this opportunity provides full tuition fee waivers for students pursuing a double-degree master's program in either Cybersecurity or Robotics under the SPECTRO project. The scholarship aims to support diversity and inclusion, prioritizing female applicants and those from RIS countries. The application process involves enrolling in one of the master's programs and submitting required documents, with scholarships awarded based on merit and allocated on a rolling basis. The total funding available for this call is 35,000 EUR, and only three full waiver scholarships are available.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are students who are nationals of EU Member States (including overseas countries and territories (OCTs)), listed EEA countries, and countries associated with the Digital Europe Programme (associated countries) or countries in ongoing negotiations for an association agreement that enters into force before grant signature. Applicants must be enrolled and accepted into one of the SPECTRO Master's programs to be eligible for financial support.

Funding Type: The funding type is a scholarship, specifically a full tuition fee waiver.

Consortium Requirement: This opportunity is for single applicants, specifically individual students.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility includes EU Member States (including overseas countries and territories (OCTs)), listed EEA countries, and countries associated with the Digital Europe Programme (associated countries) or countries which are in ongoing negotiations for an association agreement and where the agreement enters into force before grant signature. Priority will be given to applicants from RIS countries - included in the EIT Regional Innovation Scheme (RIS). Countries eligible to take part to the RIS include 1) EU members states, 2) Horizon Europe associated countries, and 3) outermost regions such as Guadeloupe, and Réunion (France), the Azores and Madeira (Portugal), and the Canary Islands (Spain).

Target Sector: The target sectors are cybersecurity and robotics, with a minor in Innovation and Entrepreneurship. These fall under the broader category of digital skills and education. The master's program in Cybersecurity covers ethical hacking, blockchain technologies, and quantum cryptography. The Robotics program covers Internet of Things (IoT), Machine learning, Artificial intelligence, and Robotics.

Mentioned Countries: EU member states, EEA countries, Guadeloupe (France), Réunion (France), Azores (Portugal), Madeira (Portugal), Canary Islands (Spain).

Project Stage: The project stage is for students pursuing a double-degree master's program (ISCED Level 7, 120 ECTS).

Funding Amount: The nominal value of the granted scholarship is 5,000 EUR per year, covering full tuition fee waivers for two years of studies. The total funding available for this call is 35,000 EUR.

Application Type: The application type is an open call. Scholarships will be allocated on a rolling basis.

Nature of Support: The beneficiaries will receive money in the form of a tuition fee waiver.

Application Stages: The application process appears to be single-stage, where candidates apply to the master's program and are then considered for the scholarship.

Success Rates: The success rate is not explicitly mentioned, but it is stated that only 3 full waiver scholarships are available for this call to be distributed among the two Master’s programmes.

Co-funding Requirement: Co-funding is not explicitly required, but the letter of motivation must explain the applicant's financial situation and need for financial support.

This opportunity is a scholarship program called SPECTRO (SPecialised Education programmes in CybersecuriTy and Robotics) aimed at providing financial support to eligible students pursuing a double-degree master's program in either Cybersecurity or Robotics. The program is designed to promote diversity in terms of gender, age, and socioeconomic background within the digital skills domain. The scholarship covers full tuition fees, valued at 5,000 EUR per year, for the two-year duration of the master's program.

To apply, candidates must enroll in one of the two SPECTRO master's programs through a single application portal, selecting preferred entry and exit universities. The application requires various documents, including degree certificates, transcripts, proof of English proficiency, a CV, a letter of motivation, supporting financial documents, and an official ID.

The scholarships are awarded based on merit, assessed through a merit score considering academic and professional experience, the CV, and the letter of motivation. Priority is given to female applicants and those from RIS countries (countries with moderate or modest innovation scores). The scholarship is reflected as a discount in the tuition fee, and students are informed of the net amount after the scholarship is applied. For this call, only 3 scholarships are available. The opening date for submission is August 18, 2025, and the deadline is October 20, 2025, at 17:00 Brussels time. The expected duration of participation is 18 months.