AI4Gov-X Cascade Funding Call - first edition [AI4Gov-X-FSTP-CALL-01-2026]

The Call has 5 distinct cut-off dates. All submitted applications (for the two objectives/priorities) by each deadline will be evaluated jointly and awarded until funding resources are available. The AI4Gov-X consortium reserves the right of integrating the funding budget with an extra allocation, until twice the initially allocated amount.

Applications will be possible electronically and exclusively managed through the GoodGrantsTM platform (https://polidesign.grantplatform.com/) by filling in a form and attaching the required documentation. Beneficiaries must be natural persons and as a precondition, be enrolled students in the MagiX master's course (for objectives/priorities 1 and 2) and/or (for objective/priority 1) in one or more of the AI4Gov-X extracurricular activities, strictly identified from the list published on the project's website, at this link: https://ai4gov-x.eu/extracurricular-activities/. Please note that the list will be updated on a monthly basis while the Call is open. Additionally for objective/priority 2 only, beneficiaries must be unemployed people, able to document the existence of an internship contract with a host organisation from the public or private sector, residing in an eligible country for the Call (for a full list see Further information below).

A same natural person holding the necessary requisites may apply to both objectives within the same cut-off date or within two distinct cut-off dates. However, he or she can receive the financial benefits of either objective/priority only once.

Evaluation of received applications will be done by a special committee established at the Funding Body, POLI.design. Each application will be evaluated from the perspectives of admissibility, eligibility, and merit.

For both priorities/objectives, admissibility conditions will be that an electronic application has been received on or before the latest cut-off date, completed in all its parts, and with all required attachments, exclusively through the GoodGrantsTM platform. Incomplete applications or submitted by other means will be discarded and proposed for resubmission at the next cut-off date.

To pass the admissibility check, all applicants must submit at least:

- A signed application form,

- Their CV in Europass format (see https://europass.europa.eu/en/create-europass-cv),

- A motivation letter, specifically mentioning their employment status,

- Any documentation supporting disadvantaged background and/or priority categories (where applicable),

- Signed declarations (on conflict of interest, double funding, etc.) using the templates available on the GoodGrantsTM platform.

Applicants to priority/objective 1 must additionally submit:

- A proof of enrollment or acceptance in the MagiX master's course and/or in an extracurricular activity of the AI4Gov-X programme, dated not earlier than the opening of this Call and not yet finalised by the chosen cut-off date, and

- An indicative cost breakdown (travel, accommodation, fees, etc.).

Applicants to priority/objective 2 must additionally submit:

- A proof of enrollment or acceptance in the MagiX master's course,

- Copy of an internship contract, or equivalent legally binding agreement, dated not earlier than the opening of this Call and not yet finalised by the chosen cut-off date, showing the amount paid by the host organisation.

All the above documentation must be provided in English language. Unofficial translations are allowed in case of submission of documents that are natively not in English, but the applicant will take the risk and bear the consequences of any misinterpretation during the evaluation process.

For both priorities/objectives, eligibility conditions will be that

- The applicants must be natural persons and nationals of an eligible country for the Call (see Further information below).

- They must be enrolled in, or formally accepted into, the MagiX master's course and/or any of the extracurricular activities of AI4Gov-X (depending on the priority/objective) at the time of application.

- They must not be subject to restrictive measures or other disqualifying conditions according to the EU or national legislation in their country.

- They cannot receive double funding for the same operation.

- They cannot be awarded twice under the same priority/objective.

- They must not be in a situation of conflict of interest with POLI.design or any other AI4Gov-X partner.

For priority/objective 2 only, a supplementary eligibility condition will be that

- The applicants must be unemployed people documenting their enrollment in an internship programme at a host organisation residing in an eligible country (see Further information below).

Eligible applications received until the same cut-off date will be scored using the following criteria (max. 100 points):

Criterion

Description

Score

Excellence and relevance

Academic/professional background and relevance to AI4Gov-X topics

0–30

Motivation and expected impact

Motivation, expected learning and career impact

0–25

Financial need

Economic situation and justification of need

0–25

European added value

Cross-border dimension, diversity contribution, EU public sector fit

0–20

No minimum thresholds or weighting will be applied. In case of equal scores, the following priority rules will be adopted, in the same order:

- Applicants documenting their enrollment in (or acceptance into) both the MagiX master's course and at least one extracurricular activity of the AI4Gov-X programme (only for objective/priority 1);

- Applicants coming from countries that are not full members of the AI4Gov-X consortium.

- Applicants from regions with average income below 75% of the EU average.

- Female applicants.

The maximum financial support per beneficiary is:

EUR 5 000 (for both priorities/objectives 1 and 2)

The awarded amount for priority/objective 1 is calculated on the basis of:

- Actual and justified travel costs,

- Actual and justified accommodation costs,

- Actual and documented registration/participation fees.

as reported in the indicative cost breakdown (see above). The Selection Committee may cap specific cost items if considered excessive or not in line with typical market prices for the location and period.

The awarded amount for priority/objective 2 is calculated on the basis of the stipend/salary received by the beneficiary, as documented in the internship contract, or equivalent agreement (see above). For the avoidance of any doubt, the reimbursement of travel and accommodation costs, or other types of cost, is also eligible provided it is explicitly mentioned in the internship contract, or equivalent agreement.

For both priorities/objectives, eligible expenses are those realised after the date of submission of the respective application.

The priority/objective 1 scheme reimburses up to 50% of total eligible costs, within the 5 000 EUR cap, so that the minimum number of supported beneficiaries with available resources (equally distributed across two yearly editions of this Call) will be at least 156.

The priority/objective 2 scheme reimburses an equivalent amount to the one perceived by the intern, within the 5 000 EUR cap, so that the minimum number of supported beneficiaries with available resources (equally distributed across two yearly editions of this Call) will be at least 234.