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Call for the FORTHEM Lab Projects

FORTHEM Labs Project Call, application deadline 30 October 2025

The FORTHEM Alliance is pleased to announce the FINAL call for projects relating to the topics of the FORTHEM Labs. Each project can receive up to 5000€! There are two tracks: one for students, and one for researchers and educators.

Are you a student? Apply for the Student track!

Are you a student interested in international collaboration? Would you like to work on a small project and gain valuable experience, practical skills, and new connections that can benefit your future career? 

Apply for the Student Track and co-create innovative solutions with peers from other FORTHEM universities. Working across borders and engaging with external partners gives you hands-on experience in teamwork, communication, and project development. All highly valued in working life! Projects can take many forms - from events and workshops to digital content or student-led initiatives. 

You don’t need a finished project idea to get started. Just curiosity and motivation. You’ll get support in shaping your idea and finding collaborators via FORTHEM Labs. 

Are you an academic employee? Apply for the Researchers and Educators’ track!

Are you an academic employee looking to integrate international collaboration into your teaching? Would you like to involve your students in a meaningful project experience? 

Apply for the Researchers and Educators’ Track and guide your students through a small international project. We welcome diverse formats such as course development, events, creative initiatives, or other collaborative activities that promote student engagement and international cooperation. We encourage you to invite non-academic partners to collaborate and co-create with your students. Working with external collaborators can bring valuable skills, perspectives, and support to your project. 

Students have previously arranged:

  • webinars on current topics
  • exhibitions
  • hackathons
  • events
  • voluntary work and charitable projects
  • mini-conferences for aspiring researchers 

Examples of former student-driven projects funded by FORTHEM 

You can find examples of previous projects also on the FORTHEM blog and website.

Criteria

The projects will address a lab topic. Choose one of the following Lab topics for your application:

  • Diversity and Migration Lab
  • Food Science Lab
  • Digital Transformation Lab
  • Cultural Heritage Lab
  • Climate and Resource Lab
  • Experiencing Europe Lab
  • Resilience, Life Quality and Demographic Change Lab 

Please note: The Art & Aesthetics in Contemporary Society Lab and the Multilingualism in School and Higher Education Lab are not included in this call. 

The project can last from two weeks to one semester, including the planning and implementation period. This call is open for any project executed and reported by the end of August 2026. 

At least two FORTHEM universities must be involved in the project. 

Students commit to delivering at least one form of alliance-level communication or dissemination of the project. e.g. a blog post, a social media post, a video, a podcast or other. 

The results, the output and a brief report need to be presented upon completion of the project. A template for the report will be provided in due time. 

Funding

  • Each project can receive up to 5000€.
  • Please ensure you justify the use of funding in the application form.
  • Expenses will be reimbursed upon receipt of documentation. 

Eligible costs include (please see the more detailed description here): 

  • Travel costs: accommodation, transport and subsistence of students involved and/or third parties (experts, professors, speakers).
  • FORTHEM offices will usually calculate the amount granted to students per mobility based on the same funding rules as individual short-term mobilities (more information here under ‘Funding’).
  • Materials for implementation of the project
  • Dissemination of knowledge and information
  • Catering 

Selection criteria and process

  • Only one application per project needs to be submitted.
  • All applications will first be checked for eligibility by local administrative staff. Applications will then be reviewed and selected by the academic members of the appropriate Lab based on their topical relevance, quality of co-creation, feasibility and topicality. 

Academic recognition

Depending on your university, your project could grant you ECTS and/or a FORTHEM certificate of accomplishment.

Application procedure

  • Applications must be submitted through this form.
  • Please include a project description and budget proposal.
  • Deadline for application: 30 October 2025
  • Announcement of results: 30 November 2025

Further information

If you have any questions, please contact your local FORTHEM office for support.

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