Grant opportunity
Constructive Advanced Thinking Programme 2027-2029
The CAT programme supports international early-career research teams to develop bold interdisciplinary ideas on emerging societal challenges through repeated residencies at Institutes for Advanced Study.
- Funder
- Network of European Institutes for Advanced Study (NETIAS) / FRIAS
- Applications close 13 September 2026 at 23:59 CET
- Applications close 13 September 2026 at 23:59 CET: Sep 13, 2026
- Award
- Up to six one- or two-week research stays at participating institutes over as many as three years, with hosting and collaboration support
- Applicant
- Teams of three to five people from at least two countries addressing an emerging societal issue. The principal investigator must hold a stable research position in Europe and have received a PhD between January 2017 and September 2026; doctoral researchers and non-academic stakeholders may join.
- Discipline
- General and Multidisciplinary
- Region
- Europe / International teams
- Posted
- Jul 29, 2026
Call summary
Overview
CAT gives small international teams time, space and access to research communities so that ambitious early-stage ideas can mature into robust interdisciplinary projects.
Who can apply
Teams must be fully formed, include three to five members from at least two countries and satisfy the doctoral-date and institutional-position rules. Stakeholder participation from policy, civil society or industry is encouraged.
What it supports
- Blue-sky interdisciplinary work on current or emerging societal challenges.
- Two or three research stays per year at participating institutes.
- Engagement with academic communities and non-academic stakeholders.
Funding and duration
- Selected teams receive hosting and support for a maximum of six short research stays.
- The programme can run from January 2027 through December 2029.
Applications close 13 September 2026 at 23:59 CET
Applications close 13 September 2026 at 23:59 CET: Sep 13, 2026
How to apply
Prepare the English-language abstract, proposal or video, work plan, team description, CVs and support letters and submit them by 13 September 2026.
Call details
Source-based overview
The Constructive Advanced Thinking programme invites international teams of early-career researchers to develop unconventional, societally relevant ideas across disciplines. Selected teams undertake repeated short residencies at participating Institutes for Advanced Study and refine their work with local scholars and stakeholders.
Eligibility
Teams must be fully formed, include three to five members from at least two countries and satisfy the doctoral-date and institutional-position rules. Stakeholder participation from policy, civil society or industry is encouraged.
Funding and benefits
Selected teams receive hosting and support for a maximum of six short research stays.
The programme can run from January 2027 through December 2029.
Themes and supported activities
Blue-sky interdisciplinary work on current or emerging societal challenges.
Two or three research stays per year at participating institutes.
Engagement with academic communities and non-academic stakeholders.
Deadline and timeline
Applications close 13 September 2026 at 23:59 CET: Applications close 13 September 2026 at 23:59 CET: Sep 13, 2026.
Applicants should confirm the exact deadline time, time zone, required documents, portal steps and any institutional approvals on the official call page before submitting.
How to apply
Prepare the English-language abstract, proposal or video, work plan, team description, CVs and support letters and submit them by 13 September 2026.
Before applying, check eligibility rules, budgets, attachments, page limits, partner requirements, cost-share conditions and whether the opportunity uses an expression of interest, full proposal, registration or nomination stage.