Phortify Mobility Grants - Pilot Call

In this call consortia can deliver conversion programme(s) for students graduated from a bachelor’s programme from non-ICT fields to access specialised master’s programmes, but only as additional programme(s) to the programme(s) delivered under Type 1 or 2.

Each proposal has to clearly choose one type of programme to address: type 1 the digital area (a-e.) or type 2 the strategic sector (f-j.) as the main focus of their programme(s) and self-standing modules. A combination of types of programmes is not eligible (for example, focus on Virtual worlds and edge computing in the same proposal). Also, in the call text it is indicated: "Multiple proposals — Applicants may submit more than one proposal for different projects under the same call (and be awarded funding for them)."

NGOs are eligible for funding as participants of the consortium submitting a proposal to this topic.

The call text determines that students financially supported can be students 1) who hold the nationality of an EU and/or of another Digital Europe Programme eligible country and 2) students from countries with whom the European Commission has ongoing international cooperation related to digital topics (e.g. digital partnerships, trade and technology councils, policy dialogues, Talent Growth Task Force). For more details see footnote 13 of the Call text.

Yes, the Evaluation Result Letter informs applicants of the reasons why the proposal was classified as inadmissible.

In the call text it is stated: “The programme(s) are offered and taught to students enrolled in all higher education institutions participating in the action. The self-standing module(s) are delivered by higher education institutions and/or other training providers participating in the action (relevant for all proposals).” All universities part of the consortium should offer and deliver the designed programme(s), entirely or partially. For example all universities can deliver the same programme(s) or each university deliver a programme at a different level (master, bachelor or doctor programme) or universities deliver a joint degree (part of the programme courses are delivered at one universities, part in the other universities) or other options. The modalities of the programme(s) are left for the applicants to decide.

Different types of entity can apply to this call. Proposals to be eligible must fulfil the conditions set in the Call text under section 6, Consortium composition and section 2, targeted stakeholders. Also, NGOs from different parts of Europe can apply as partners in a consortium eligible to apply to this call.

The modalities of the designed and delivered programme(s) and self-standing module(s) is left to the consortium to determine, as long as they result in the design and delivery of higher education programme(s) at ISCED levels 6 (Bachelor's or equivalent level), 7 (Master's or equivalent level) or 8 (doctoral or equivalent level) leading to a degree and to the development of related self-standing modules (online, hybrid or in-person) leading to a certification.

In the call text it is stated for the consortium requirement to include a minimum of two industry partners whose headquarters are located in two different eligible countries. The consortium is also encouraged to particularly involve small and medium enterprises (SMEs) as well as start-ups. In case industry clusters or Chambers of Commerce would like to participate as an industry partner in the consortium, it would need to be clearly explained in the application what industry related and relevant knowledge, experiences and resources this entity would bring to the consortium (i.e. design and development of programmes and modules).

This call provides funding support for design and delivery of new higher education programmes and related self-standing modules. Under part Targeted stakeholders, section 6 of the call text, the recommended consortium composition is stated, including a minimum of 6 partners from 4 eligible countries. The programmes and modules need to be co-designed jointly between higher education institutions and industry as well as research partners and other partners in the consortium (if applicable).

The list of participating countries outside of EU to the Digital Europe Programme and their current status are explained in this document: https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/docs/2021-2027/digital/guidance/list-3rd-country-participation_digital_en.pdf

Yes, if the eligibility conditions are met, i.e. among other conditions the entity must have a legal status established in Ireland (see call text, section 6. Eligibility).

There is no maximum number of beneficiaries defined in the call document, therefore this is up to the consortium to decide.

In the call for this topic large industry players are not excluded from being part of the consortium. In the call document under the point Targeted stakeholders it is stated: "it is highly recommended for consortia to include a minimum of two industry partners whose headquarters are located in two different eligible countries. The consortium is also encouraged to particularly involve small and medium enterprises (SMEs) as well as start-ups."

The total amount of the EU contribution for financial support to third parties can be maximum 20% of the requested EU funding. Financial support to third parties requires the co-financing of 50 % by the consortium or by contributions from other funding sources.

The cost categories are indicated in the call text under section 10. Legal and financial set-up of the Grant Agreements, part Budget categories and cost eligibility rules. The equipment costs are also eligible.

There is no obligation to calculate travel costs by the unit cost method. The same basic eligibility conditions apply as for actual cost grants (see call text, section 10. Legal and financial set-up of the Grant Agreements, Budget categories and cost eligibility rules and AGA - Annotated Grant AgreementPDF).

The tuition waiver must be assigned to the 'Financial support to third parties' category.

This information can be provided by the national tax authorities. The certification document should not be more than one year old. More information on the requested documentation and the procedures is available in the guidance document Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity AssessmentPDF.

The same basic eligibility conditions apply as for actual cost grants (see call text, section 10. Legal and financial set-up of the Grant Agreements, Budget categories and cost eligibility rules and AGA - Annotated Grant AgreementPDF, section C.1 Travel and subsistence).

No, there is no dashboard for travel costs.

The funding rate for SMEs is 50 percent.

Funding is available for student scholarships in a form of Financial Support to Third Parties (see Call text, section 2.2. and 6. under Eligible activities). Financial support to third party requires the co-financing of 50 % by the consortium.

The co-funding rate of this topic is 50%. The funding not provided by the European Commission can be obtained by own resources, income generated by the action (e.g. by programme fees), or financial or in-kind contributions from third parties (e.g. grants from national or private funding programmes). These funding has to be determined by the applicants.

The same basic eligibility conditions apply as for actual cost grants (see call text, section 10. Legal and financial set-up of the Grant Agreements, Budget categories and cost eligibility rules and AGA - Annotated Grant AgreementPDF).

Each proposal must address the first mandatory objective and at least one among the 2nd, 3rd and 4th objectives. If the second objective, "Attracting qualified teaching staff and students", is chosen to be addressed by the proposal, then the financial support to students needs to be described in the proposal as requested by the call text. In this case, the financial support to students becomes mandatory and it is up to the consortium to define the incentives provided to students to participate in the programme(s) or self-standing module(s).

This call provides funding for design and delivery of higher education programmes in the key digital area 'virtual worlds'.

It is not mandatory to complete the validation of the PIC prior to the submission of the proposal.

Yes, provided the proposal addresses the first mandatory objective and at least one among the 2nd, 3rd and 4th objectives.

If the consortium intends to design and deliver programme(s) exclusively at ISCED level 8 (doctoral or equivalent level), the full consortium must enrol a minimum of 150 students during the duration of the project. This total of 150 students is a collective requirement and does not mean each higher education institution must have 25 doctoral students individually per programme cycle (minimum 2 programme cycles per project duration). The consortium can meet this target by including more higher education institutions as partners.

On the other hand, if the consortium plans to design and deliver programmes at ISCED level 8 (doctoral or equivalent level) in addition to programmes at ISCED levels 6 (Bachelor's or equivalent level) or 7 (Master's or equivalent level), then each participating higher education institution must enrol at least 25 students per cycle in the programmes at ISCED levels 6 and/or 7. In this scenario, the number of doctoral students required can be less than 25 per institution.

The programmes of a duration of more than two years (e.g. bachelor’s and doctoral programmes), the condition is to start during the duration of the project (48 months). The launched cycles can be completed after the end of project. Please note that the call text was updated under section 2, page 8 as follows:

“At least two cycles of the programme should start during the duration of the project (48 months) for programmes of a duration of more than two years (e.g. Bachelor’s and doctoral programmes). For programmes of the duration of two years or shorter, at least one full cycle of the programme should be delivered and at least one second cycle of the programme should start during the duration of the project (48 months).”

To foster a more robust and versatile skill set among students, better preparing them for the rapidly evolving landscape of quantum technologies it is encouraged to adopt a holistic approach that includes all pillars of quantum technologies. The main aim of this topic is to provide students with the necessary theoretical and practical advanced digital skills and knowledge to design, deploy and use current and future generation of digital technologies and applications. Additionally, the underlying physics and engineering principles are largely consistent across the different quantum technologies (e.g. quantum computing, quantum communication, quantum sensing and metrology), although the complexity and applications may vary.

As stated in the call text the applicants already delivering similar programmes and modules as the ones addressed by the proposal must clearly explain in their application the added value of the newly designed/modified programme(s) and self-standing module(s) compared to the existing education offer delivered in the latest (academic) years.

Under this call, the self-standing module means a developed training module based on the designed education programme(s). The choice of type of self-standing module(s) and its precise modalities is left to the consortium to determine, including the targeted groups be it students, jobseekers, workforce, general public and so forth. Self-standing modules need to be co-designed jointly between higher education institutions and industry as well as research partners and other partners in the consortium, delivered online, hybrid or in-person and lead to a certification (see call text, section 2 Objectives and Scope).

This topic Specialised Education Programmes in Key Capacity Areas is funded under the Digital Europe Programme, whereas Erasmus Mundus is funded under Erasmus+. The objective of the DIGITAL call for this topic is to support excellence in higher education institutions, making them world leaders in training the digital specialists of the future and to increase the capacity of the educational offer in the area of advanced digital skills. Funding under this topic is available also for: Upgrading digital solutions, equipment, and infrastructure, with a special focus on interoperability of IT systems across participating higher education institutions; as well as Establishing structural and sustainable partnerships between the members of the consortium.

In this topic the reference to agriculture is to be considered in a broader context, including fisheries as well as aquaculture.

For the definition of public sector, please refer to the definition of public sectors provided by the European Parliament: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/workingpapers/econ/w21/sum-2_en.htm

The default option is to start the project implementation one month after the signature, however with a strong justification, it may be possible to choose a later date within reasonable timeframe.

Advanced green digital skills encompass the competencies, knowledge, and abilities required to develop and implement cutting-edge digital technologies that facilitate the green transition and contribute to a sustainable, low-carbon economy. These skills are crucial for leveraging digital innovations to address environmental challenges and promote sustainability across various sectors. Examples of advanced green digital skills include the development and use of AI and data analytics for precision farming (e.g. to optimise irrigation, pest control, etc.) or for optimising energy demand forecasts, allowing better integration and management of renewable energy sources. Other examples include the advanced digital skills in the area of robotics for smart recycling and waste management or in the areas of Internet of Things and Machine Learning for traffic management. Proposals targeting the acquisition of advanced green digital skills should clearly specify which cutting-edge technology or combination of technologies are being targeted. These may include AI, data analytics, virtual/augmented reality, robotics, cloud computing, IoT, and machine learning, among others (please note that this list is not exhaustive). Additionally, proposals should focus on one of the following strategic sectors: Agriculture, Transport, Renewable Energy, or Waste Management (please note that the list of strategic sectors is limited to these four).

In Part A of the proposal application under Section 4, the security issues table is provided with the security criteria that applies to the Digital Europe Programme.

The evaluation criteria and their minimum thresholds used by the evaluators are indicated in section 9. Award criteria of the call text.

The subject of audit may be any documentation submitted from the official submission of the proposal. As the detailed budget table is part of the proposal, it can be considered during the audit examination.