UPC-AI4CI 1st Scholarship Call

UPC-AI4CI 1st Scholarship Call provides financial support to students enrolled in or pre-admitted to the Artificial Intelligence for Connected Industries (AI4CI) Master's at Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) EETAC in Castelldefels, Spain, for applicants who are citizens of the EU, EEA or countries associated with the Digital Europe Programme. The call offers four reimbursement modalities covering tuition, living/transport allowances, mobility stays and study-related expenses with modality caps and a maximum aggregate award of €4,500 per student and an indicative total budget of €167,500. Applications must be submitted via the UPC Electronic Office by one of three cut-off dates (8 September 2026, 5 February 2027, 5 July 2027) and require a cover letter, proof of nationality and modality-specific documentation. Selection is merit-based using an 8-point academic criterion plus 2 points for gender and socioeconomic factors, and payments are disbursed after verification of eligibility and submission of supporting invoices.

What it funds

Purpose and scope

Scholarships to support students of the AI4CI Master (Artificial Intelligence for Connected Industries) at UPC EETAC, covering tuition, living/transportation allowances, mobility stays and study-related expenses to increase accessibility and skills in AI and connected industries.

Total budget:Maximum available under the call: €167,500; indicative number of scholarships: ~49; individual awards range from €2,000 to €4,500.

Maximum per student:A single student may receive up to €4,500 in aggregate across four support modalities.

Who can apply

EU citizens, citizens of listed EEA countries or countries associated to the Digital Europe Programme who are enrolled in, pre-admitted to, or applying to the AI4CI Master (cohorts 2025-2027 and 2026-2028) at UPC EETAC in Castelldefels, Spain.

Support modalities (high-level)

1. 1Tuition reimbursement (up to €3,400 per beneficiary, with supporting documents required)
2. 2Living and/or transportation allowance (€100/month up to €600)
3. 3Contribution for mobility stays related to the master (up to €500)
4. 4Other study-related expenses such as hardware/software or courses (up to €1,100)

Key eligibility & conditions

Applicants must be full-time students of the AI4CI Master (30 ECTS/semester), provide ID proving nationality, and submit required supporting documents. Scholarship is incompatible with other funding covering the same eligible expenses.

Deadlines & application

1. 18 September 2026 (23:59 Brussels time)
2. 25 February 2027 (23:59 Brussels time)
3. 35 July 2027 (23:59 Brussels time)

Apply via the UPC Electronic Office using the UPC-AI4CI scholarships form:UPC Electronic Office. Applications assessed continuously until budget is exhausted.

Selection & payments

Selection combines academic merit (8 points) and gender/socioeconomic factors (up to 2 points). Payments are reimbursements upon presentation of supporting invoices and follow scheduled instalments depending on cohort.

Contact & further info

Main contact:Prof. Cristina Cervelló (cristina.cervello@upc.edu). Call published for visibility on the EU portal; funds are awarded by UPC under Project AI4CI (Grant Agreement No. 101123524). Call details

Summary and purpose

The Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya – BarcelonaTECH (UPC) issues this scholarship call to support students of the master's degree programme Artificial Intelligence for Connected Industries (AI4CI Master) taught at UPC EETAC in Castelldefels, Spain. The scholarships are funded through the AI4CI project (Grant Agreement No. 101123524) co-funded by the European Union under topic DIGITAL-2022, but the call and disbursement are launched and managed solely by UPC in its own name and under its own responsibility ¹. The objective is to increase accessibility to the master's, promote advanced digital skills, support equality and diversity in ICT and computer science, and offset socioeconomic barriers for eligible students.

Key figures:Maximum budget available under the call: €167,500. Indicative number of scholarships: approximately 49. Individual scholarship amounts range from €2,000 to €4,500, with an absolute maximum aggregate award of €4,500 per student across modalities.

Deadlines and application windows

1. 1Cut-off 1: 8 September 2026 (23:59 Brussels time).
2. 2Cut-off 2: 5 February 2027 (23:59 Brussels time).
3. 3Cut-off 3: 5 July 2027 (23:59 Brussels time).

Eligibility and applicant requirements

Eligible applicants must be citizens of the European Union, listed EEA countries or countries associated to the Digital Europe Programme, and must be either currently enrolled in the AI4CI Master at UPC EETAC (cohort 2025-2027) or pre-admitted/admitted to the AI4CI Master for cohorts 2026-2028. Applicants must be full-time degree-seeking students (30 ECTS per semester). Required documentation includes identity document showing nationality and date of birth, a cover letter describing academic merits, motivation, planned use of the scholarship, description of socioeconomic situation, and documentary evidence supporting claims. Additional modality-specific documentation is required as described below.

Application channel:Applications must be submitted through the UPC Electronic Office (seuelectronica.upc.edu) using the UPC-AI4CI scholarships form. Deadlines follow a multiple cut-off model and applications will be considered until the budget is exhausted.

Types and characteristics of support (modalities)

The call defines four support modalities. Applicants may request support for any combination of modalities but the total awarded to an individual cannot exceed €4,500. Each modality has its own maximum amount and eligibility/justification requirements. All reimbursements require supporting documentation (invoices, proofs of payment, quotations where applicable).

Selection, scoring and ranking

Selection is performed by the selection committee (members of the Master's Committee). For each modality, candidates are scored on a 10-point scale: 8 points for academic merit and 2 points for gender and socioeconomic considerations (1 point if female and 1 point if last year annual income < €21,000). Both master's admission documents and scholarship-specific documentation will be used in assessment. Eligible applications not funded due to budget limits will be placed on modality-specific reserve lists and may be awarded if awarded candidates decline or lose support.

Assessment timeline:Applications for modalities 2.1, 2.2 and 2.3 are continuously assessed. Within five working days after reception the committee assesses suitability, awards points, ranks applicants and selects the best-ranked eligible applicants. Decisions are published on UPC’s Electronic Notice Board (e-Tauler) and communicated by email the same day; awarded students must return signed award agreement and documentation within five working days.

Payment and disbursement conditions

Payments are disbursed directly to recipients after verification that eligibility conditions are met and presentation of supporting documentation for eligible expenses (invoices, tickets, proofs of payment). Recipients must provide bank details, sign an award agreement including consent for personal data processing, declare absence of double EU funding, and demonstrate successful completion of minimum 22.5 ECTS per semester (~75%). Payments are scheduled by cohort: for cohort 2025-2027 instalments include 30 September 2026, 29 February 2027 and 30 July 2027; for cohort 2026-2028 first instalment 29 February 2027. Continued disbursement is conditional on ongoing enrolment and successful academic progress.

Incompatibilities, appeals and obligations

The scholarship is incompatible with any other scholarship, grant or financial support covering the same eligible expenses. Students may appeal assessment results to the study programme committee within 10 working days from notification; the committee must respond within 14 working days and correct scores if inaccuracies are confirmed. Recipients must comply with ethical rules (UPC Code of Ethics and Good Practices), and with data processing, record-keeping and reporting obligations set out in the award agreement.

Contact and further information

Primary contact for the call and AI4CI Master programme:Prof. Cristina Cervelló (cristina.cervello@upc.edu). Official publications of resolutions will be on UPC’s Electronic Notice Board (e-Tauler) and the UPC-AI4CI Scholarship website. The call text published on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal is for visibility only; UPC bears full responsibility for the call and selection.

Structured answers to categorization questions

1. 1Eligible Applicant Types: university (UPC as organiser), students currently enrolled or admitted to the AI4CI Master programme. More broadly applicants are individuals (students) who are citizens of the EU, listed EEA countries or countries associated to the Digital Europe Programme. The opportunity is targeted at individual students; institutions (universities) act as the funding body.
2. 2Funding Type: grant in the form of scholarships (financial support: reimbursement and allowances).
3. 3Consortium Requirement: single applicant (individual student) – no consortium required.
4. 4Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): Citizens of European Union Member States, listed EEA countries and countries associated to the Digital Europe Programme. The programme is administered by UPC in Spain; eligible applicants must meet nationality/residency criteria above.
5. 5Target Sector: education and skills development in digital technologies and artificial intelligence; thematic sectors include ICT, AI, digital skills and specialised higher education.
6. 6Mentioned Countries: Spain is explicitly mentioned as the hosting country (UPC, EETAC in Castelldefels). The call also refers to eligibility for citizens of EU Member States, listed EEA countries and countries associated to the Digital Europe Programme (these regions are referenced rather than individual countries beyond Spain).
7. 7Project Stage: education/training stage aimed at master's-level students; target maturity corresponds to education, upskilling and early-career development rather than R&D project stages.
8. 8Funding Amount: total call budget €167,500; indicative individual scholarship awards range from €2,000 to €4,500; modality maxima: tuition reimbursement up to €3,400; living/transport allowance up to €600; mobility contribution up to €500; study-related expenses up to €1,100.
9. 9Application Type: multiple cut-off open call (three cut-off dates). Applications via UPC Electronic Office portal (seuelectronica.upc.edu).
10. 10Nature of Support: money (monetary grants and reimbursements) upon presentation of supporting documentation; no non-monetary services are specified as part of the scholarship package.
11. 11Application Stages: effectively one administrative assessment stage (continuous assessment per cut-off with ranking and reserve lists), but operational steps include application submission, committee assessment/ranking, award resolution, applicant acceptance and contractualization, and disbursement — this can be viewed as 3 to 4 procedural stages.
12. 12Success Rates: not explicitly provided. Given the indicative number of approximately 49 scholarships and an undefined applicant pool, no concrete success rate is stated. Applicants should assume competitive selection based on ranking and limited budget.
13. 13Co-funding Requirement: no co-funding from applicants is required. Awards are reimbursements of eligible expenses; recipients must provide proof of expenses and payments. There is no stated mandatory co-funding contribution by the beneficiary.

Application documentation and templates (structure and guidance)

Applicants must complete the UPC-AI4CI scholarships form via the UPC Electronic Office and attach the following documents. Use this structure to prepare a complete submission:

1. 1Cover letter (mandatory) including: presentation of the candidate, academic merits, motivation and plans, how the scholarship will be used, how it will contribute to upskilling in advanced digital skills, and a description of socioeconomic situation (personal, social, economic, work).
2. 2Documentary evidence supporting claims in the cover letter (mandatory): for socioeconomic assertions, rental or distance statements if applying for modality 2.2, documentation supporting mobility stay for modality 2.3, quotations and invoices for modality 2.4.
3. 3Copy of identity document showing date of birth and nationality (mandatory).
4. 4Modality 2.2 specific: documentary evidence of monthly rental expenses >= €200 or proof of residence at least 20 km from UPC Castelldefels.
5. 5Modality 2.3 specific: mobility stay description, letter explaining purpose and relationship to the master programme, and budget estimate.
6. 6Modality 2.4 specific: justification letter for required hardware/software, quotation(s) dated within 15 days before application, and after purchase final invoices and proof of payment.
7. 7Any other documents included in the master programme admission file that demonstrate academic merit (these will be considered by the committee).

Recommended application format:concise cover letter (1–2 pages) addressing the required points, with annexes for documentary evidence. Ensure quotations for modality 2.4 are dated within 15 days prior to application. Keep originals of invoices and proofs of payment available for reimbursement claims post-award.

Selection committee and governance

Selection committee is the Master’s Committee of the AI4CI master programme consisting of Prof. Cristina Cervelló-Pastor, Prof. David Rincón Rivera and Prof. Carles Gómez Montenegro. The committee assesses eligibility, applies the scoring formula per modality and produces ranked lists and reserve lists. Award resolutions are published on e-Tauler and communicated by email.

All personal data processing is governed by GDPR and Spanish data protection law. Applicants consent to processing of personal data for scholarship management, potential publication of identifying data of beneficiaries and reserve lists on UPC portals, and retention in line with archival rules. Data subjects may exercise rights of access, rectification, erasure and others through the UPC Electronic Office or by contacting the UPC Data Protection Officer.

Risks, incompatibilities and conditions:The scholarship cannot be combined with other financial support covering the same eligible expenses. Awards are conditional on continued enrolment, academic progress (minimum 22.5 ECTS per semester), and submission of required documentation. UPC reserves the right to modify, extend, cancel or suspend the call for justified reasons. UPC is not liable for portal malfunctions; fraud or misconduct may lead to exclusion.

Concluding summary

This UPC-AI4CI 1st Scholarship Call provides targeted financial support to students of the AI4CI Master at UPC EETAC to reduce tuition and study-related costs, support mobility and living expenses, and promote access, equality and digital upskilling in artificial intelligence and connected industries. The call is funded by the AI4CI project co-funded by the EU but administered and paid by UPC. Approximately €167,500 is available to award about 49 scholarships across four support modalities, with individual awards ranging from €2,000 up to an absolute maximum of €4,500 per student. Applicants must be EU/EEA or Digital Europe Programme-associated country citizens, be enrolled or accepted into the AI4CI Master cohorts 2025-2027 or 2026-2028, submit applications through the UPC Electronic Office by specified cut-off dates and provide required documentation. Selection is merit-based with scoring that accounts for academic performance and gender/socioeconomic factors, and funding is disbursed upon verification of eligibility and eligible expense documentation. Interested students should prepare a focused cover letter, collect documentary evidence for their socioeconomic situation and modality-specific expenses, submit via the UPC portal before the relevant cut-off, and monitor e-Tauler for resolutions.

Footnotes

1. 1Although the AI4CI project is co-funded by the European Union, the scholarship call is launched and managed solely by UPC. Publication on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal is for visibility only and does not denote EU responsibility for the call text or selection.

Who Should Apply

Eligibility and Key Requirements

This scholarship call is exclusively for students enrolled in or pre-admitted to the Master's degree in Artificial Intelligence for Connected Industries (AI4CI Master) at Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya (UPC) – Barcelona TECH, specifically at the EETAC school in Castelldefels, Spain ¹.

Eligible Nationalities:Applicants must be citizens of the European Union, EEA countries (Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein), or countries associated with the Digital Europe Programme ².

1. 1Must be a full-time degree-seeking student (30 ECTS per semester)
2. 2Must have been admitted to the AI4CI Master for 2025-2027 or pre-admitted/apply for 2026-2028
3. 3For living expenses modality: monthly rent ≥ €200 or distance from UPC ≥ 20 km
4. 4No double EU funding for the same expenses

Scholarship Modalities and Funding Amounts

The call offers four support modalities. While applicants can combine modalities, the total scholarship per student cannot exceed €4,500 ³.

Application Process and Deadlines

Applications must be submitted via the UPC Electronic Office (Seu Electrònica) using the UPC-AI4CI scholarships form ⁴.

1. 18 September 2026 (23:59 Brussels time)
2. 25 February 2027 (23:59 Brussels time)
3. 35 July 2027 (23:59 Brussels time)

Required Documentation:Cover letter (academic merits, motivation, socioeconomic situation), proof of nationality, and modality-specific evidence (e.g., rental contracts, mobility plans, hardware quotations) ⁵.

Selection Criteria and Payment

Selection is based on a 10-point formula:8 points for academic merit and 2 points for gender and socioeconomic situation (1 point if female, 1 point if annual income < €21,000) ⁶.

Payments are made directly to recipients after verification of eligibility and submission of invoices. Cohort 2025-2027 students receive payments in September 2026, February 2027, and July 2027 ⁷.

Important Notes and Disclaimer

This call is launched solely by UPC and is NOT an EU action. The EU Funding & Tenders Portal publication is for visibility only; UPC manages the call and funding under its own responsibility ⁸.

The scholarship is incompatible with other grants covering the same expenses. Recipients must maintain at least 75% academic progress (22.5 ECTS/semester) ⁹.

Footnotes

1. 1Official call details: UPC-AI4CI Call
2. 2Eligibility criteria: EU Digital Europe Programme
3. 3Modality limits and total cap: UPC-AI4CI Scholarship Modalities
4. 4Application portal: UPC Electronic Office
5. 5Documentation requirements: UPC-AI4CI Call Text
6. 6Selection formula: UPC-AI4CI Selection Criteria
7. 7Payment schedule: UPC-AI4CI Payment Conditions
8. 8Disclaimer: EU Funding Portal Disclaimer
9. 9Academic obligations: UPC-AI4CI Obligations