Recruitment cycle Cohort 2026

The ARISE Scholarship Programme for the Recruitment Cycle Cohort 2026 is a European initiative that aims to support students pursuing a double-degree master's programme in Human-Computer Interaction (HCI) and Extended Reality (XR) technologies. The programme, part of the Digital Europe Programme (2021-2027), has a budget of EUR 588,000 and is designed to promote diversity among applicants by targeting both gender and socio-economic backgrounds.

Eligible applicants include students who are nationals of EU Member States, EEA countries, and nations associated with the Digital Europe Programme, with a significant emphasis on diversity targets of 40% for Regional Innovation Scheme (RIS) nationals and 50% female recipients. The scholarships are available in three forms: half tuition fee waivers (EUR 3,000), full tuition fee waivers (EUR 6,000), and excellence scholarships, which include a full tuition waiver plus a monthly living allowance of approximately EUR 900, adjusted for cost of living.

The application process is an open call with a single deadline for submissions from December 11, 2025, to June 30, 2026. Applicants are required to complete several stages: pre-screening by an admission officer, evaluation and ranking by a selection committee based on diverse criteria, and final checks for eligibility. The selection process is merit-based, and while specific success rates aren't provided, about 40 scholarships are anticipated to be awarded.

Key organizations involved include the EIT Digital Master School and participating European universities. The programme fosters a flexible educational model, allowing students to choose their preferred institutions for entry and exit points during their studies, aimed at enhancing mobility and international collaboration in education.

Overall, the ARISE Scholarship Programme seeks to address the skills gap in Europe by supporting talented individuals in gaining access to high-quality education in crucial fields related to digital technology and innovation.

The ARISE Scholarship Programme offers financial support to students enrolled in the ARISE Master's programme, which focuses on Human Computer Interaction and Design with a focus on Extended Reality (XR) in Europe. The programme aims to train the next generation of specialists and innovators in these fields. The scholarships promote diversity in terms of gender, age, and socio-economic background, ensuring access to high-quality education in digital areas.

 The opening date for submissions is December 11, 2025, and the deadline is June 30, 2026, at 17:00 Brussels time. The expected duration of participation is 24 months. The total funding available is 588,000 EUR. The project acronym is ARISE, and its full name is Advanced Realities for Cultural Innovation in Europe. The grant agreement number is 101225600. The topic is DIGITAL-2024-ADVANCED-DIGITAL-07-KEYCAPACITY Specialised Education Programmes in Key Capacity Areas.

 There are three types of scholarships available: half tuition fee waivers (covering 50% of tuition costs), full tuition fee waivers (covering the entire tuition cost for both years), and scholarships of excellence (including a full tuition fee waiver and a monthly living allowance adjusted to the cost-of-living index of the host country).

 To apply, candidates must enroll in the ARISE Master’s programme through a single application portal. Applicants can select three options for both Entry and Exit Universities, ranked by priority. Required documents for the application include:

 1. Degree Certificate/Diploma in its original language and translated into English. If the university does not provide translation services, an authorized translator must perform the translation, with their credentials, signature, and stamps visible. If studies are ongoing, a statement from the degree administration office (or equivalent) confirming enrollment in the final year and the expected completion date is required. If applying to Aalto as entry, the bachelor degree must be completed by July 31, 2026.

 2. Mandatory technical prerequisites for admission to the programme (link provided).

 3. Official and stamped transcript of records in the original language and translated into English, including all courses taken. Both the front and back of every document must be scanned, ensuring all stamps and signatures are fully visible.

 4. Proof of English proficiency, which varies depending on the higher education institution/country selected.

 5. Curriculum Vitae detailing the applicant's academic and professional career.

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

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

 8. An official ID, such as a passport or National ID.

 The scholarship allocation process involves several stages: pre-screening by the Admission Officer at the Master School Office (KTH), evaluation and ranking by a programme selection committee of 9 members, and a general requirements check by the KTH admission office. Selected students must sign an agreement with the EIT Digital Master School outlining their rights and obligations. Failure to comply may result in termination of financial support or recovery of funds. The ARISE project operates under the standard terms and conditions applicable to EU-funded projects, as outlined in Articles 12, 13, 14, 17.2, 18, 19, and 20 of the ARISE Grant Agreement.

 Eligibility requirements include being a national of an EU Member State (including overseas countries and territories), a listed EEA country, or a country associated with the Digital Europe Programme. Only students enrolled and accepted into the ARISE Master’s programme are eligible for financial support.

 The programme selection committee consists of the local programme responsible from each participating university, with one member appointed as Programme Lead. The Programme Lead assigns applicants to selection committee members based on university preferences. Each member evaluates applicants and assigns grades for each criterion. Based on the evaluation, the Programme Leads assign an entry and exit university and a final quantitative grade.

 All applicants are placed on a single, unified merit-based ranking list. Gender and RIS status are used only as priority conditions in cases of equal final merit score.

 The selection criteria include:

 Criteria  

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant type is students who are nationals of EU Member States (including overseas countries and territories), listed EEA countries, and countries associated with the Digital Europe Programme.

Funding Type: The funding type is scholarship. The scholarships are available in three types: half tuition fee waivers (covering 50% of tuition costs), full tuition fee waivers (covering the entire tuition cost), and scholarships of excellence (including a full tuition fee waiver and a monthly living allowance).

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

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility includes EU Member States (including overseas countries and territories), listed EEA countries, and countries associated with the Digital Europe Programme. These also include countries included in the EIT Regional Innovation Scheme (RIS).

Target Sector: The target sector is ICT, specifically Human-Computer Interaction and Design with a focus on Extended Reality (XR), and Innovation and Entrepreneurship.

Mentioned Countries: The opportunity mentions EU Member States, EEA countries, and countries associated with the Digital Europe Programme. No specific countries are named, but the eligibility extends to the regions and associations mentioned.

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

Funding Amount: The funding amount varies depending on the type of scholarship: Half tuition fee waiver: EUR 3,000 per academic year, Full tuition fee waiver: EUR 6,000 per academic year, Excellence scholarship: Full tuition fee plus a monthly living allowance (base reference of EUR 900 per month, adjusted by Eurostat Country Correction Coefficients). A total funding of EUR 588,000 is available.

Application Type: The application type is an open call.

Nature of Support: The beneficiaries will receive both money (monthly living allowance for excellence scholarship recipients) and non-monetary services (tuition fee waivers).

Application Stages: The application process involves several stages: Pre-screening (by the Admission Officer at the Master School Office), Evaluation and ranking by the programme selection committee (consisting of 9 members), and General requirements check (by the KTH admission office).

Success Rates: The success rates are not explicitly mentioned, but the call indicates that 40 scholarships are available. The distribution aims for 50% of recipients from RIS countries and 30% female participation.

Co-funding Requirement: Co-funding is not explicitly required, but the scholarships cover either a portion or the full tuition fee, and the excellence scholarship includes a living allowance.

Summary:

The ARISE (Advanced Realities for Cultural Innovation in Europe) project is offering scholarships for students pursuing a double-degree master’s programme in Human-Computer Interaction and Design with a focus on Extended Reality (XR) in Europe. The program also includes a minor in Innovation and Entrepreneurship. The scholarships aim to promote diversity in terms of gender, age, and socio-economic background and are available to students from EU Member States, EEA countries, and countries associated with the Digital Europe Programme. There are three types of scholarships: half tuition fee waivers, full tuition fee waivers, and scholarships of excellence, which include a full tuition fee waiver and a monthly living allowance. The application process involves enrolling in the ARISE master’s programme and submitting required documents such as degree certificates, transcripts, proof of English proficiency, a CV, a letter of motivation, and supporting documents regarding financial situation. The selection process includes pre-screening, evaluation and ranking by a selection committee, and a general requirements check. Scholarships are awarded based on a merit-based ranking system, with consideration given to gender and RIS status in cases of equal merit scores. The call aims to distribute 40 scholarships, with an indicative split of 8 excellence scholarships, 24 full tuition fee waivers, and 8 half tuition fee waivers. The total funding available is EUR 588,000. The application deadline is June 30, 2026.