UPRAISE: Financial Support to Third Parties (FSTP) call for International Mobility, Type of financial support: Advanced Digital Skills Scholarships fo...

University of Camerino (UNICAM) offers four mobility scholarships of €2,500 each (total budget €10,000) for international Master of Science students to attend two UPRAISE modules (Big Data Technologies for Virtual Worlds and Complex System Design for Virtual Worlds) during 7 January–7 March 2027. Applications must be submitted electronically by 30 November 2026 at 23:59 Brussels time and require a CV (max 3 pages), Transcript of Records, a motivation letter (max 3 pages), valid ID and a signed double funding declaration. Selection is merit-based with a 100-point scale (minimum qualifying threshold 70) weighted primarily on academic background (65 points), motivation and study proposal (25 points) and CV (10 points), and includes gender-balance and tie-break provisions for disadvantaged applicants. Scholarships are gross of taxes, intended to contribute to travel, accommodation and living expenses, and cannot cover costs already financed by another EU funding source.

What it funds

Grant summary

University of Camerino (UNICAM) offers 4 mobility scholarships of €2,500 each (gross; total budget €10,000) to support travel, accommodation and living costs for master students attending two UPRAISE modules on Virtual Worlds during 7 January–7 March 2027.

Footnotes

1. 1Complete call documents, application form and submission instructions are available at the UNICAM call page UNICAM call page.

Core facts

What the grant funds and participant commitment

Eligibility and target groups

Selection, scoring and allocation

Evaluation is conducted by an officially appointed Selection Committee. The process is merit-based and includes explicit inclusivity and gender balance targets. A minimum threshold is required to be included in the ranking; tie-breaking priorities are defined to favour disadvantaged applicants where needed.

Grants, allocation pools and quotas

Required application package and templates

All application documents must be submitted in English and electronically by 30 November 2026 at 23:59 Brussels time. The call provides an application form on the UNICAM page; applicants must follow the submission procedure described in the call text. The application package must contain the following documents in the stated format/limits:

Application modality, stages and timeline

Funding type, co-funding and nature of support

Eligible topics, technology and learning content

The mobility targets advanced digital skills related to virtual worlds and complex digital ecosystems. Both modules must be followed and are worth 2 ECTS each: Big Data Technologies for Virtual Worlds focuses on architectures and technologies for large-scale data collection, management and analysis with emphasis on virtual worlds, digital twins and immersive environments and on designing scalable data-driven solutions for real-time processing and intelligent services. Complex System Design for Virtual Worlds covers formal methods and principles for designing complex software systems for virtual worlds, with hands-on practice in methodologies and integration of emerging technologies including Generative AI to develop intelligent and interactive virtual environments.

Target sectors and intended impact

Mentioned countries and regions

Project stage and expected maturity

Funding amounts and budgetary details

Success rates and selection statistics

The call text specifies 4 grants but does not publish expected number of applicants or historic acceptance rates; therefore an absolute success rate cannot be provided from the published information. Selection is competitive and subject to the minimum 70/100 threshold and the gender-balance prioritisation rules described above.

Consortium and applicant composition requirement

This call targets individual student applicants for mobility scholarships and does not require or accept consortium proposals. The grant is awarded directly to individuals; the host university (UNICAM) administers the FSTP call.

Co-funding and double funding rules

Applicants must provide a signed Double Funding Declaration confirming that the mobility and the costs covered by the UPRAISE scholarship are not financed by other EU funds (for example, the same eligible costs cannot be covered simultaneously by an Erasmus+ mobility grant). No applicant cash co-funding is requested in the call text.

How to apply and where to find full documentation

Submit the complete application package electronically by 30 November 2026 at 23:59 Brussels time via the procedure described on the UNICAM call webpage. All documents must be in English. Follow the UNICAM application form and instructions in the official Call document for mandatory declarations, signature requirements and data processing notices. See the UNICAM call page for the application form and the complete text of the Call 1.

Templates and structure applicants should follow

While the Call provides an official application form, the required documents and recommended structure are as follows. Ensure clarity, brevity and alignment with scoring criteria when preparing documents:

Missing information and cautions

Summary

This UPRAISE FSTP call at University of Camerino offers four individual mobility scholarships of €2,500 each to MSc students enrolled at foreign universities to attend a 2-month intensive mobility at UNICAM (7 January 2027 to 7 March 2027) composed of two 2-ECTS modules on Big Data Technologies for Virtual Worlds and Complex System Design for Virtual Worlds. The call is a single-stage open call with required English documentation, explicit eligibility by nationality (EU Member States, Digital Europe Associated Countries including Ukraine and the Western Balkans, and selected third countries such as Japan, Canada, USA and eligible African nations), and a merit-based selection process with a 100-point scoring grid and a minimum threshold of 70%. The call enforces a gender-balance target (at least 40% female participation), tie-breaking priorities favouring disadvantaged groups, and requires a Double Funding Declaration. Applicants must submit a CV (max 3 pages), Transcript of Records, Motivation Letter (max 3 pages), ID copy, and signed Double Funding Declaration via the electronic submission channel described in the UNICAM call by 30 November 2026. Total funding for this call is €10,000 and the grants are administered by UNICAM under the UPRAISE project. For full call text, application form, and detailed administrative rules see the UNICAM call page in the footnote 1.

Footnotes

1. 1Full call text, application form and submission procedure available at the University of Camerino call page: unicam.it and the EU Funding & Tenders Portal opportunity record: ec.europa.eu

Opportunity overview

This opportunity provides financial support to international Master of Science students undertaking a two month academic mobility period at the University of Camerino in Italy under the UPRAISE project, Virtual Worlds Innovation Masters: Shaping Future Digital Skills Europe. The activity focuses on advanced digital skills for virtual worlds, extended reality, artificial intelligence, digital twins, big data and complex software systems. The call is implemented as Financial Support to Third Parties under the Digital Europe Programme. 1

The funded mobility requires participation in both UPRAISE modules. Together, the modules provide 4 ECTS and combine data engineering, virtual world technologies, complex system design and the use of emerging technologies including Generative AI.

Call facts

Key information

Call identifier

UPRAISE Financial Support to Third Parties call for International Mobility, Advanced Digital Skills Scholarships for International Mobility at University of Camerino, Cycle 1, Academic Year 2026/2027.

Project

UPRAISE, Virtual Worlds Innovation Masters: Shaping Future Digital Skills Europe, Grant Agreement 101225920.

Programme

Digital Europe Programme, identifier DIGITAL-2024, Specialised Education Programmes in Key Capacity Areas.

Call opening

29 September 2026.

Application deadline

30 November 2026 at 23:59 Brussels time. The procedure for electronic submission is specified in the University of Camerino call documentation. 2

Deadline model

Single-stage submission.

Mobility period

7 January 2027 to 7 March 2027, corresponding to an expected participation period of two months.

Total available budget

€10,000.

Scholarships available

Four scholarships of €2,500 each, gross of taxes.

Funding purpose and financial conditions

Each scholarship is intended to contribute to travel, accommodation and living expenses incurred during the study period at the University of Camerino. The amount is gross of taxes and may be subject to Italian or other applicable national taxation and withholding, depending on the recipient’s fiscal status. Applicants should therefore not assume that €2,500 will be received net.

The published opportunity does not indicate a separate tuition fee waiver, salary, research grant, insurance package, visa reimbursement, or additional travel top-up. Applicants should verify these matters in the full University of Camerino call and should budget on the basis that the scholarship is a fixed contribution rather than a guaranteed reimbursement of all costs.

The funding cannot be used to cover the same eligible costs already financed by another European Union funding source. A signed double funding declaration is required. The call specifically identifies standard Erasmus+ mobility funding as an example of funding that cannot cover the exact same eligible costs.

Academic activity and required modules

Both modules must be followed. Applicants should demonstrate in their motivation letter and study plan how their previous academic work and professional interests connect with both the data technology and complex system design components.

Who can apply

Eligible applicants must satisfy all principal conditions at the time of application.

Eligibility requirements

Applicants must be actively enrolled in a Master of Science programme, Laurea Magistrale or equivalent, at a recognised higher education institution outside Italy or otherwise qualifying as a foreign higher education institution under the call.

Applicants must hold nationality of an EU Member State, an Associated Country to the Digital Europe Programme, including the countries identified in the call such as Ukraine and the Western Balkans, or a third country covered by a strategic digital partnership or cooperation initiative with the European Union. Examples listed in the opportunity include Japan, Canada, the United States and eligible African countries. The full call should be consulted for the definitive country classification.

The applicant’s academic background and proposed learning plan must align with UPRAISE themes. Relevant areas include virtual worlds, extended reality, artificial intelligence, digital twins, digital innovation, manufacturing, healthcare and public administration.

Applicants must have adequate English proficiency at a minimum B2 level. The application package must be prepared entirely in English.

The candidate must be able to attend both modules during the entire mobility period and comply with any academic, administrative and reporting obligations established by the University of Camerino and the UPRAISE project.

Application documents

The application package must include the following documents.

Transcript of Records issued by the home university, showing examinations, credits and grades.

Motivation letter of no more than three pages, explaining academic background, motivation to acquire advanced digital skills and alignment with the UPRAISE modules.

Valid passport or national identity document.

Signed double funding declaration confirming that the activities and costs funded by the scholarship are not covered by another European Union funding source.

Applicants should also follow the official application form, electronic submission instructions, file format requirements, signature requirements and any document translation or certification rules in the complete University of Camerino call. 2

Evaluation and selection

Applications will be assessed by an officially appointed Selection Committee. The maximum score is 100 points and applicants must obtain at least 70 points to qualify for the ranking list.

Evaluation criteria

Motivation and study proposal, 25 points. Assessment focuses on the applicant’s motivation for advanced digital skills, virtual worlds and innovation, together with the proposed study or learning plan.

Curriculum vitae, 10 points. Assessment covers additional academic, non-academic and practical experience, with particular relevance given to practical ICT experience.

Selection implications

Academic performance is the dominant factor, representing almost two thirds of the available score. Applicants should provide a clear and appropriately contextualised transcript, especially where grading systems differ between countries.

The motivation letter and study plan provide a substantial opportunity to differentiate an application. A strong submission should connect prior coursework or projects to both modules, identify concrete learning objectives and explain how the mobility supports future work in virtual worlds, artificial intelligence, digital twins, extended reality or related sectors.

The CV has a smaller weighting but can strengthen the application through evidence of software development, data engineering, artificial intelligence, immersive technologies, research, innovation, internships, relevant employment or community projects.

Inclusion and allocation rules

The programme has a gender balance objective of at least 40 percent female enrolment. The Selection Committee may prioritise the highest ranked female applicants to ensure that at least two of the four scholarships are awarded to women, provided those applicants meet the minimum quality threshold.

All four grants are available to eligible students who satisfy the academic entry requirements and are formally enrolled in the specialised education programmes or self-standing modules covered by UPRAISE, subject to the target groups and eligibility rules in the call and the Financial Support to Third Parties Guidelines.

Where applicants have equal scores within the same gender allocation pool, the stated tie-breaking order is as follows.

The tie-breaking categories are applied in the stated order. Applicants who wish to benefit from relevant inclusion considerations should provide any information or evidence permitted by the official application procedure, while observing applicable data protection requirements.

Applicant suitability assessment

This opportunity is most suitable for Master’s students who need an international academic mobility period and whose studies or career plans are closely connected to advanced digital technologies. It is particularly relevant to applicants with a technical, computational, engineering, data science, artificial intelligence, digital systems, manufacturing, healthcare or public administration profile.

The opportunity is less suitable for applicants seeking a full degree programme, a long-term scholarship, a research employment contract or unrestricted financial support. The scholarship is limited to a two month academic mobility activity and requires attendance at both specified modules.

Key risks and compliance points

The scholarship is gross of taxes, so the net amount may be lower than €2,500.

Only four grants are available, creating substantial competition even among applicants who meet the eligibility conditions.

The 70 point threshold is a qualification threshold and does not guarantee funding. Grants are awarded according to the final ranking and applicable allocation rules.

The application must be complete, in English and submitted electronically before the stated deadline. Missing documents, excessive page limits or an invalid submission route may result in exclusion or loss of scoring opportunity.

Attendance at both modules is mandatory according to the opportunity description. Applicants should confirm the timetable, attendance rules, assessment arrangements and consequences of non-attendance in the full call.

The double funding declaration should be checked carefully against Erasmus+, institutional mobility grants, national scholarships and other European Union support. Funding for different costs may be treated differently, but the same eligible costs cannot be financed twice.

Recommended application strategy

Overall assessment

UPRAISE offers a focused, competitively awarded mobility scholarship rather than a broad project grant. Its principal value is the combination of €2,500 financial support, a two month international study period at the University of Camerino and structured training in big data and complex system design for virtual worlds. The strongest applicants will combine a good Master’s academic record with a technically credible study plan, demonstrated ICT capability and a clear connection to the UPRAISE digital skills agenda.

The decisive documents are the complete University of Camerino call, the application form and the submission procedure. These documents should control where they provide more detailed or different rules than the summary information displayed on the EU Funding and Tenders Portal. 12

Footnotes

1. 1Official EU Funding and Tenders Portal opportunity: EU Funding and Tenders Portal opportunity.
2. 2Official University of Camerino call page containing the call, rectoral decree, application documents and submission procedure: University of Camerino UPRAISE call.