Call: Ulysseus Seed Funding Programme for Joint R&I Groups – Call #2 (2026)

The Ulysseus Seed Funding Programme for Joint Research & Innovation Groups supports interdisciplinary and thematic research initiatives that align with Ulysseus’ strategic priorities, fostering scientific collaboration and innovation. The funding is designed to facilitate networking and collaborative efforts among researchers, allowing them to explore new research directions and strengthen institutional cooperation across the Ulysseus alliance.

The Programme aims to encourage new collaborations and reinforce existing research connections. Researchers from different institutions can work together to develop innovative solutions to common challenges, leveraging the diverse expertise within the Ulysseus network. The programme is committed to supporting both early-career and experienced researchers, promoting inclusivity and long-term sustainability of research networks.

Following the success of the pilot Call #1 in 2025 the Ulysseus European University open the Call #2 (2026) to further stregthen the existing joint R&I groups and also enabling the establish new ones. Owing to limited resources, this call focuses mainly on expansion of existing Ulysseus joint R&I Groups by adding new applicants who bring significant added value and come from Ulysseus Community. However, the call also remains open to establishing new Ulysseus joint R&I Groups, exclusively those centred around the Ulysseus Innovation Hub topics.

Expansion includes adding researchers (applicants) from the same (already team members of R&I Group supported by the Call #1) or other Ulysseus partner universities or affiliated with Ulysseus Associated or Strategic or other relevant stakeholders to strengthen interdisciplinary collaboration and research capacity. The contribution of new applicants must be clearly explained and justified in the application form. Final eligibility of expansion proposals will be evaluated by the Local Selection Committees based on demonstrated added value and strategic alignment. The Programme is committed to supporting both early-career and experienced researchers, promoting inclusivity and long-term sustainability of research networks.

• Applicants must be researchers with a legal contract with any Ulysseus partner university.
• Any Ulysseus joint R&I Group must include at least three researchers from at least two Ulysseus partner universities.
• For interdisciplinary groups linked to Ulysseus Innovation Hubs, at least one Ulysseus Associated Partner or Strategic Partner or other stakeholder is mandatory. For the list of the Ulysseus Associated Partners, please check: https://ulysseus.eu/get-involved/associated-partners/.
• Researchers must be registered as experts in the Ulysseus Open Science Repository (https://science.ulysseus.eu/) that superseded Ulysseus Experts Database and maintain an active profile.
• Applications that include young researchers (up to 35 years of age or within seven years of PhD completion) and gender-balanced teams are strongly encouraged.
• The Call #2 is reserved strictly for new applicants. While existing members of Ulysseus joint R&I Groups are ineligible to apply for these additional funds, they may continue to utilise the seed funding allocated in the Call #1 for expansion purposes. In this case, the eligibility period for using seed funding from the Call #1 will be extended until the end of the Call #2’s eligibility period. Should a new proposal be unsuccessful, existing groups must use original seed funding in accordance with the deadlines established in the Call #1. In case of establishing new Ulysseus joint R&I Groups, all members are eligible for seed funding.

• Strengthened existing Ulysseus joint R&I Groups through strategic expansion.
• Improved strategic alignment by directing new Ulysseus joint R&I Group creation toward Innovation Hub challenges, thereby accelerating innovation-driven territorial transformation.
• Strengthened collaboration in the Ulysseus Community, leading to enhanced research capacity.
• Excellent ideas worthy of developing collaborative research projects with potential follow-up funding opportunities (e.g., Horizon Europe, Erasmus+).
• Enhanced mobility and knowledge exchange among researchers across partner institutions.
• Annual reporting and participation in Programme evaluation to ensure accountability and impact assessment.

• Seed funding supports travel, accommodation, meeting expenses, and networking activities to develop Ulysseus joint R&I Groups.
• The allocation is up to 3 000 EUR per new applicant, subject to the Local Selection Committees’ decisions and availability of funds. The partners Haaga-Helia of Applied Sciences (Finland) and University of Genoa (Italy) have no further fund allocation for the Call #2 meaning that their researchers are not advised to participate in this call.
• Eligible costs include costs for organising workshops, seminars, and other events that facilitate collaboration and networking.
• Ineligible costs include staff salaries, overhead, equipment, conference fees, proposal writing costs (including also costs of such associated activities) and conducting the research.
• Applicants must clearly demonstrate how the proposed activities align with Ulysseus’ research priorities and contribute to long-term research collaboration. For more information: please visit https://ulysseus.eu/resources-and-publications/ulysseus-research-and-innovation-action-plan/.
• The expansion of existing Ulysseus joint R&I Groups centered around Innovation Hubs is preferred over groups formed around common topics. Also, expansion of existing Ulysseus joint R&I Groups is preferred over establishing new ones.

• Call Opens: 4 May 2026
• Call Closes (Application Deadline): 31 May 2026
• Evaluation & Selection: June 2026
• Final Decision & Results Communication: 30 June 2026
• Funding Available: from 1 July 2026
• Eligibility (implementation) period: until 30 June 2027

All applications must be submitted before the deadline. Late submissions will not be considered.

1. Define the Research Focus – Ensure your research topics align with Ulysseus priorities.
2. Identify potential new applicants using the Ulysseus Open Science Repository or other networks.
3. Engage with Colleagues – Communicate, define roles and responsibilities, and agree on objectives, expected outcomes, and key stakeholders.
4. Register or check your profiles in the Ulysseus Open Science Repository – All applicants (members), except applicants affiliated with Ulysseus Associated or Strategic Partners or other stakeholders , must create a profile with both their profile visibility and profile details visibility set to public, and existing Ulysseus joint R&I Groups must also update their research information. The data from original Ulysseus Experts Database were imported to the Ulysseus Open Science Repository but need to be fully checked by applicants.
5. Lead Applicant is responsible for submission and communication.
6. Review the Application Form – Download and carefully study the Call #2 Seed Funding Application Form.
7. Complete and Submit the Application – Follow the provided instructions and ensure submission before the deadline. Read the Programme document or FAQs for more information.
8. Undergo Review – Await technical and formal review. If requested, submit any necessary corrections.
9. Accept Funding Terms – After the local selection process, review and accept the approved funding and grant conditions.
10. Implement the Project – Conduct Ulysseus joint R&I Group activities (meetings, travel, workshops) using the allocated funds.
11. Submit a Grant Report – Existing Ulysseus joint R&I Groups funded under the Call #2 are exempt from submitting a final report for the Call #1; instead, all activities will be included in a consolidated report for the Call # 2.
12. Participate in the Evaluation – Take part in the Programme’s evaluation survey.

• Applications must be submitted in English.
• Download the official Application Form (please use Microsoft Excel 2007 and above): Call #2 (2026) Application Form 
• Fill in the form and submit the final xlsx file here: [SUBMIT HERE]
• For more information read the Programme document, the Call #2 (2026) Document
• FAQ document will be published later.
• List of the the groups supported by the Call #1 (2025) of the Ulysseus Seed Funding Programme for Joint R&I Groups
• For communication or further questions use this e-mail: research@ulysseus.eu