VILNIUS TECH MERIT Project 2nd Targeted Scholarship Call

The VILNIUS TECH MERIT Project 2nd Targeted Scholarship Call offers a financial aid opportunity for EU citizens pursuing master's degrees in specific programs at Vilnius Gediminas Technical University. This initiative is aimed at improving access to advanced digital skills education, especially in the fields of Artificial Intelligence and digital skills development.

Eligible applicants are individuals, specifically EU citizens enrolled in the master's programs "Engineering of Artificial Intelligence" and "Management of Artificial Intelligence Solutions." The funding type is a scholarship, without a requirement for a consortium, since it targets single applicants. Geographic eligibility is restricted to EU citizens, with no specific countries mentioned, but all EU member states are implicitly included.

The target sector for this scholarship focuses on advanced digital skills, particularly in ICT and Artificial Intelligence. The scholarship provides €350 per month, with a maximum total of €10,820 available over a two-year period for each individual. The overall budget allocated for this initiative is €33,500.

The application process is classified as an open call, consisting of a single-stage submission where students submit necessary documents electronically to Vilnius Gediminas Technical University. Applicants whose submissions meet the criteria will be evaluated based on a ranking system, aimed at promoting gender equality, diversity, and reducing economic barriers in education.

There is no explicit co-funding requirement, but students may receive other scholarships with the condition that there is no double funding for the same expenses. The application deadline is set for October 1, 2025, with payments commencing from November 1, 2025.

The scholarship aims to cover a range of expenses related to education, such as tuition fees, purchasing necessary hardware or software, living, travel, and additional study-related costs. The evaluation criteria for applicants include geographical representation, gender balance, age, academic achievements, and participation in relevant activities.

In summary, the MERIT Project 2nd Targeted Scholarship provides essential support for EU citizens pursuing master's degrees in artificial intelligence at VILNIUS TECH, with a strong emphasis on promoting digital skills, equality, and diversity within the field of computer science.

The MERIT Project 2nd Targeted Scholarship is an opportunity for EU citizens to receive financial aid while pursuing a Master's degree at Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VILNIUS TECH). The scholarship aims to increase accessibility to master's studies, develop advanced digital skills, and promote equality and diversity in computer science. The MERIT project, which funds these scholarships, is co-funded by the European Union under grant agreement No. 101083531. A total of 33,500 euros is available for distribution as targeted scholarships at VILNIUS TECH.

The scholarship is specifically for students enrolled in the "Engineering of Artificial Intelligence" (state code 6211BX023) or "Management of Artificial Intelligence Solutions" (state code 6211BX024) master's programs at VILNIUS TECH.

The application process involves several steps. Information about the scholarship procedure is published on the VILNIUS TECH website after admissions. The chairman of the study program committee contacts accepted students by September 7th to inform them about the scholarship opportunity, criteria, requirements, and deadlines. The application deadline is October 1st. Applicants must submit all required documents and information to the VILNIUS TECH Department of Information Technologies to prove their eligibility.

Within 5 working days after the application deadline, the study program committees assess the applications, award points based on the criteria, and rank the applicants. Each program selects the highest-ranked applicants who meet the scholarship requirements. Other applicants are placed on a reserve list. All applicants are informed of the decisions within 5 working days of the committee meetings. Scholarship recipients must sign a scholarship agreement and provide bank details within 10 working days.

Students have the right to appeal the assessment results within 3 working days of notification. Appeals must be submitted in writing, specifying the areas of concern. The study program committee evaluates the appeal within 5 working days and informs the applicant of the results. Corrections are made if inaccuracies are confirmed, and the scholarship order is updated.

If a scholarship is refused or necessary data is not provided, the next applicant on the reserve list is contacted. The final list of scholarship recipients is published, and payments begin no later than November 1st.

To be eligible for the scholarship, applicants must be EU citizens and be enrolled as full-time students in either the Engineering of Artificial Intelligence or Management of Artificial Intelligence Solutions master's program at VILNIUS TECH.

Required application documents include:

A motivation letter outlining the applicant's plans, how the scholarship will be used, and how it will contribute to the program's aim and the student's upskilling in advanced digital skills.
A copy of the applicant's identity document showing their date of birth and nationality.
A document showing the declaration of residence.
Optional: Copies of documents or links to data sources illustrating the applicant's achievements.

The criteria for ranking applications are as follows:

Ensuring equal conditions for achieving advanced digital skills for the region and big city citizens: Applicants are divided into categories based on their declared place of residence (region vs. one of the three largest cities in their country). Scores are awarded based on the ratio of applicants from different regions. Weight: 2. Evaluation methodology: All APPLICANTS x_A are divided into two categories, according to whether their declared place of residence is between the three largest cities in that country or not. Quantities are obtained, how many APPLICANTS are from the regions (having declared their place of residence not in one of the three largest cities in their residence country) x_(1,R) and how many live in one of the three main cities of the residence country x_(1,M) (for each country, the size of the city is defined by the number of inhabitants). Each APPLICANT living in the region is awarded a score s_1=x_(1,M)/x_A, and those living in one of the three main cities of the country are awarded a score s_1=x_(1,R)/x_A.

Promoting gender equality in computer science: Applicants are categorized by gender. Scores are awarded to male and female applicants based on the ratio of men and women in the programs. Weight: 2. Evaluation methodology: All students studying in the PROGRAMS x_p are divided into two categories, according to the gender indicated in their personal identity document. The quantities are obtained, how many men study in the programs in the current period x_(2,M) and how many women are studying in the programs x_(2,F) . Each male applicant is given a score s_2=x_(2,F)/x_p, and a woman applicant is given a score s_2=x_(2,M)/x_p.

Developing advanced digital skills among people of different ages: Applicants are divided into two categories based on age (under 25 and 25 or older). Scores are awarded based on the ratio of students in each age group. Weight: 1. Evaluation methodology: All students studying in the PROGRAMS x_p are divided into two categories, according to age. The quantities of students under the age of 25 years x_(3,Y) and how many 25 years and older students x_(3,O) study in the programs in the current period. Every APPLICANT under the age of 25 is awarded a score s_3=x_(3,O)/x_p, and those 25 and older are awarded a score s_3=x_(3,Y)/x_p.

Promotion of gifted students: Entrance scores of all students are evaluated, and the lowest and highest scores are selected. Each applicant's score is awarded a score based on its position between the minimum and maximum scores. Weight: 5. Evaluation methodology: The entrance scores x_M of all students studying in the programs are evaluated and the lowest MIN(x_M) and highest MAX(x_M) competitive scores are selected. For each APPLICANT whose competitive score x_4 is awarded a score s_4=(x_4-MIN(x_M))/(MAX(x_M)-MIN(x_M)).

Promotion of students contributing to society and personal development in the area of advanced digital skills: Points are awarded based on participation in events related to advanced digital skills. Weight: 2. Evaluation methodology: It is estimated how much in the last 3 years the APPLICANT has actively participated in various events related to advanced digital skills or their application. The following activities s_5 are scored: up to 1 point – participation and achievement at the MERIThON event; up to 0.75 points – participation and achievement in another hackathon-type event related to advanced digital abilities; up to 0.75 points – the establishment of a start-up or company that provides services of competences requiring advanced digital skills or sells a product based on them; up to 0.5 points – participation in MERIT or other courses related to the development of advanced digital competencies; up to 0.5 points – participation in volunteering related to advanced digital skills. If the APPLICANT has received scores for several activities, the maximum of them is used for the assessment, and not their cumulative sum.

Elimination of economic barriers to study: The jury awards a score based on the motivation and justification for financial support. Weight: 2. Evaluation methodology: According to the motivation given in the application and the justification for the need for financial support, the jury awards a score s_6, from 0 to 1, based on the expediency and reasonableness of the need.

Motivation of new students: First-year students receive a score of 1, while second-year students receive a score of 0. Weight: 1. Evaluation methodology: All first-year students get score s_7 equal to 1, while second year students – 0. This will promote new students, rather than those, who are already studying.

The scores are multiplied by the weight of each criterion and added together. The maximum possible score is 15 points. Applicants are ranked based on their scores, and up to 6 of the highest-ranked applicants in each program receive the scholarship.

The scholarship is to be used solely for study-related purposes, including:

Reimbursement of tuition fees.
Purchase of hardware, software, or other necessary resources.
Living and travel costs.
Acquisition of additional training or information sources.
Other study-related expenses.

Reporting on scholarship usage is not mandatory.

The scholarship is paid monthly during the academic year until July 1, 2026, provided the student meets the requirements. The scholarship amount is 350 euros per month. The maximum amount a student can receive during the scholarship period is 10,820 euros. Receiving this scholarship does not preclude students from applying for other scholarships, provided there is no double funding for the same purposes. Students must provide a written explanation if they receive other scholarships to justify the absence of double funding. In case of double funding, the MERIT scholarship may be rejected or reduced.

The scholarship award and payment will be terminated if the student:

Discontinues studies.
Takes academic leave.
Transfers to another study program.
Fails at least one exam or course during the semester.
Violates the rules of ethics and academic honesty.

Students can voluntarily terminate the scholarship by submitting a written request.

When a scholarship is terminated, it will be redistributed to another student for the remaining payment period. The redistribution procedure and criteria are similar to the initial award process, with some changes:

Applicants are evaluated within one month of the scholarship termination, but not earlier than 10 working days after the fact.
Students are informed of the vacant scholarship within 5 working days of termination.
Students have 5 working days to submit applications for the vacant scholarship.
The assessment of criterion 5.3.5 is based on the weighted average of subjects in the master's program, not the entrance score.
The study program committee assesses applications within 5 working days and informs students of the results within the next 5 working days.

This scholarship is not an EU action and is solely the responsibility of VILNIUS TECH. The financial support is provided directly by VILNIUS TECH. The publication of this call on the EU Funding & Tenders Portal is for informational purposes only.

For questions related to the call and MERIT studies at VILNIUS TECH, contact Simona Ramanauskaitė at simona.ramanauskaite@vilniustech.lt.

The opening date for applications is September 1, 2025, and the deadline is October 1, 2025, at 09:00 Brussels time. The scholarship period ranges from 1 to 10 months, depending on application time and conditions. The total funding available is 335,000 euros. The project acronym is MERIT, and the full name of the EU-funded project is Master of Science in Smart, Secure, and Interconnected Systems. The grant agreement number is 101083531. The topic is DIGITAL-2021-SKILLS-01-SPECIALISED - Specialised education programmes in key capacity areas.

In summary, this opportunity provides scholarships for EU citizens pursuing specific master's degrees in Artificial Intelligence at Vilnius Gediminas Technical University. The scholarship aims to promote digital skills and diversity in computer science. The application process involves submitting required documents and meeting specific criteria related to demographics, academic achievements, and contributions to the field. The scholarship provides monthly payments to cover tuition, living expenses, and other study-related costs, with a maximum total amount. The scholarship is managed by VILNIUS TECH and is not an EU action, although it is co-funded by the EU through the MERIT project.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant type is individuals, specifically students who are citizens of the European Union and are studying in the MERIT project master's degree programs "Engineering of Artificial Intelligence" (state code 6211BX023) or "Management of Artificial Intelligence Solutions" (state code 6211BX024) at Vilnius Gediminas Technical University (VILNIUS TECH).

Funding Type: The funding type is a scholarship.

Consortium Requirement: The opportunity is for a single applicant.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility is limited to citizens of the European Union (EU).

Target Sector: The target sector is ICT, specifically focusing on advanced digital skills and computer science, with an emphasis on Artificial Intelligence. The specific master's programs targeted are "Engineering of Artificial Intelligence" and "Management of Artificial Intelligence Solutions".

Mentioned Countries: No specific countries are mentioned, but the eligibility is restricted to citizens of the European Union. Therefore, all EU member states are implicitly included. Lithuania is also mentioned as the location of Vilnius Gediminas Technical University.

Project Stage: The project stage is for students already admitted to the specified master's programs at Vilnius Gediminas Technical University, implying they are in the study/implementation phase of their education.

Funding Amount: The total funding available for targeted scholarships at VILNIUS TECH is 33,500 euros. The scholarship amount is 350 euros per month, and one student cannot be awarded more than 10,820 euros during the whole scholarship period. The scholarship period ranges from 1 to 10 months, depending on application time and conditions.

Application Type: The application type is an open call. Information about the scholarship procedure is published on the website of VILNIUS TECH and other systems at the end of admission to master's studies.

Nature of Support: Beneficiaries will receive money in the form of a scholarship. The scholarship is intended to cover reimbursement of tuition fees, purchase of hardware or software necessary to study, living and travel costs, acquisition of additional training or information sources, and other study-related expenses.

Application Stages: The application process appears to be single-stage, with an initial application followed by assessment and ranking. There is also an appeal process for students who disagree with the assessment results.

Success Rates: The success rate is not explicitly stated, but the document mentions that up to 6 of the highest-ranked applications in each program will receive the scholarship.

Co-funding Requirement: There is no explicit co-funding requirement. However, the document mentions that students can receive other scholarships unless otherwise specified, and double funding is not allowed for the same purposes. If a student receives other scholarships, they must provide a written explanation justifying the absence of double funding.

Summary:

The MERIT Project 2nd Targeted Scholarship, co-funded by the European Union, aims to increase accessibility to master's studies in advanced digital skills for European citizens. This scholarship is specifically for students enrolled in the "Engineering of Artificial Intelligence" or "Management of Artificial Intelligence Solutions" master's programs at Vilnius Gediminas Technical University. The scholarship provides 350 euros per month to cover tuition, hardware, software, living costs, and other study-related expenses, with a maximum of 10,820 euros per student for the entire study period. The application process involves submitting an application with a motivation statement, identity documents, and proof of residence, with optional documents showcasing achievements. Applications are evaluated based on criteria such as ensuring equal conditions for students from different regions, promoting gender equality, developing digital skills among different age groups, promoting gifted students, recognizing contributions to society and personal development in digital skills, eliminating economic barriers, and motivating new students. The call is launched solely by VILNIUS TECH, and the financial support is provided directly by the university. The application deadline is October 1, 2025. The scholarship is paid monthly from the award date until July 1, 2026, provided the student meets the requirements. The scholarship aims to support students in their studies and promote equality and diversity in computer science.