Unite! Seed Fund 2026: Open for applications

The Unite! Seed Fund 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. 

In 2026, seed funding will be provided to activate the creation of joint research projects and educational offerings, and to promote long-term cooperation between teaching and/or research units.

This news item is about Teaching and Learning and Research and PhD funding lines. To find out more about the Unite! Seed Fund call for students, please check this link.

Seed Fund for Teaching & Learning 

Objective: 
To 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? A virtual matchmaking event will be held on 5 February, aimed at connecting potential collaboration partners from the Unite! universities. Participation is recommended but not mandatory (details are also 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. 

VIRTUAL MATCHMAKING EVENT for Teaching & Learning 

5 February from 13:00-15:00 Finnish time

Registration link: https://eveeno.com/uniteseedfundteaching2026 Deadline for registration: Monday, 2 February 2026 (end of day)

*It is possible to register either as a ‘coordinator’ (with a project idea) or as a ‘partner’ (who is looking for a coordinator). During the virtual meeting, there will be one breakout room per project idea, with the coordinator leading/moderating the discussion. The full list of project ideas will be shared with all registered participants after 2 February 2026.

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Seed Fund for 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? A virtual matchmaking event will be held on 6 February, aimed at connecting potential collaboration partners from the Unite! universities. Participation is recommended but not mandatory. (Details are also included in the call document).

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. 

VIRTUAL MATCHMAKING EVENT for Research & PhD 

6 February from 13:00-15:00 Finnish time

Registration link: https://eveeno.com/uniteseedfundresearch2026

Deadline for registration: Monday, 3 February 2026 (end of day)

*It is possible to register either as a ‘coordinator’ (with a project idea) or as a ‘partner’ (who is looking for a coordinator). During the virtual meeting, there will be one breakout room per project idea, with the coordinator leading/moderating the discussion. The full list of project ideas will be shared with all registered participants after 3 February 2026.

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Further instructions for Aalto applicants

Aalto applicants should follow the internal approval process of Aalto University. The budget should be reviewed and approved by the departmental controller, while the content must be reviewed and approved by the Head of Department. The final commitment is decided by the Dean. 

For educational offers (Teaching & Learning funding line), it is advised to discuss the proposal with the Degree Programme Director and the Vice Dean of Education. Please also inform your School’s Manager of Academic Affairs and the Manager/Specialist on International Relations. 

All applicants should fill out a letter of commitment. Below you can find model templates for both funding lines. 

Aalto contact persons:

Seed Fund for Teaching and Learning  - contact Minna-Kaarina.Forssen@aalto.fi, puh +358 50 911 5262

Seed Fund for Research and PhD - contact sven.bossuyt@aalto.fi

More Information:

All information is 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.