Unite! Seed Fund 2026: Call opens on 20 January 2026

News update: 20 Jan.2026 
Go straight to the official launch of the teaching and learning | research and PhD call, here.

Go straight to the official launch of the student call, here.
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A new Unite! Seed Fund funding call will open on 20 January 2026. The call provides financial support for collaborations between Unite! partner universities, helping to initiate projects and place new or emerging collaborations on a strong and sustainable footing. Applications are due by 20 March 2026.

Student Activities

• Objective: Start long-term collaborations between student associations and other student-centred organisations across the Unite! universities.
• Available budget: Up to €20,000 per project, involving at least 2 Unite! universities.
• How to find partners? Virtual matchmaking in early February 2026 (details will be included in the call document).
• What is new? Only student associations and other student-centred organisations at the Unite! universities will be eligible to apply. Applications from individual students will not be accepted.
• Deadline: Please contact Aalto Unite! Student Liaison Officer, Alarik Rantala: alarik.rantala@aalto.fi no later than 5 March 2026. The deadline for submitting the full application is 20 March 2026.

Teaching & Learning 

• Objective: Support the creation of joint/collaborative educational offers with ECTS, with the potential for being scaled up into Joint Programmes. Applications must involve at least 3 Unite! universities and address at least one of the Unite! focus areas: Sustainable Energy; Artificial Intelligence; Industry 4.0; Entrepreneurship; Engineering Biology (and Biotechnology); Space; Cybersecurity; and Sustainable Cities & Water.
• Available budget: Between €10,000 and €80,000 per project, depending on the project goals and the number of Unite! partners involved.
• How to find partners? Virtual matchmaking in early February 2026 (details will be included in the call document).
• What is new? Applications aiming to create joint teaching offers must include letters of commitment from all departments/schools involved, confirming that the project outcomes will be developed as long-term educational offers fully integrated into local curricula.
• Deadline: The deadline for submitting the full application is 20 March 2026. 

Research & PhD 

• Objective: Start new research collaborations and/or PhD offers between at least 3 Unite! universities and support joint applications for larger third-party funding. Applications must address at least one of the Unite! focus areas: Sustainable Energy; Artificial Intelligence; Industry 4.0; Entrepreneurship; Engineering Biology (and Biotechnology); Space; Cybersecurity; and Sustainable Cities & Water.
• Available budget: Between €10,000 and €80,000 per project, depending on the project goals and the number of Unite! partners involved.
• How to find partners? Virtual matchmaking in early February 2026 (details will be included in the call document on 20 January 2026).
• What is new? For the programme option “Exploring” (with a budget of €10,000 per project), applications from Early Career Researchers will be preferred.
• Deadline: The deadline for submitting the full application is 20 March 2026. 

More Information

• On 20 January 2026, all relevant information will be published here: https://www.unite-university.eu/unite/unite-seed-fund
• For inquiries, potential applicants may email Dr. Konrad Löbcke at:  seedfund@unite-university.eu
• Previously funded projects may be explored here