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 First-time Researchers Academy

Applications are now open for the First-time Researchers Academy, taking place in Lisbon from 17 to 21 November 2025, with a follow-up online session in January 2026. Open to PhD students from Transform4Europe (T4EU) partner universities, this first edition of the joint doctoral training programme offers a unique chance to collaborate across institutions and enhance research skills.

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The deadline for submitting applications is Friday, 17 October (12:00 noon). 

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Please note that you do not need to register on the organisers’ website. Simply apply using the link above. Details of the selected candidates will be forwarded to the organisers. Successful applicants will be notified by Wednesday, 29 October.
Find out more

Important: the activity carried out at the Academy corresponds to a type 4 activity in the record ​book for the Recognition of credits in PhD programmes. It can be recognised for a maximum of 2.5 CFU and will be evaluated by the Doctoral Teaching Body. Please consult UniTS’s credit attribution rules and discuss with your supervisor or coordinator, following also the dedicated T4EU guidelines. Failure to comply with these guidelines will preclude credit recognition.

Eligibility

Two successful candidates will be chosen. Eligible PhD candidates at the University of Trieste must:

  • Be in the 2nd or 3rd year of their PhD and actively enrolled at the University of Trieste.
  • Have a level of English proficiency (speaking, reading, and writing) sufficient to actively engage with all courses and activities, which will be delivered entirely in English. The organisers have indicated a minimum level of B2.
  • Submit a motivation statement (max. 2000 characters, in English) explaining:
    1. Why they wish to participate in the Academy.
    2. How the programme would benefit their development at this specific stage of their doctoral research.
    3. How their academic and professional goals align with the Academy’s focus on research design, academic writing, open science, impact, communication, leadership, and networking.
  • Applications will be assessed on:
  1. Clarity and strength of motivation.
  2. Relevance of the programme to the candidate’s current stage of research.
  3. Potential for professional growth in line with the European Competence Framework for Researchers (interdisciplinarity, international networking, career management, and science communication).
  4. Ability to participate fully in English

T4EU PhD Tracks

The T4EU PhD Tracks are doctoral projects that combine a home university supervisor with an advisor from another T4EU partner university, to add an international dimension to the PhD.

The candidate remains a doctoral student at their home university, but carries out a portion of their PhD education, research, or mobility at one or more T4EU partner institutions under the guidance of the external advisor(s)

Find out more

Phd Students will have the chance to meet up in person and learn more about the PhD Tracks proposals and other opportunities at the Matchmaking event hosted in Saint-Etienne from 25 to 28 November 2025.

Would you like to be contacted by T4EU coordinator to talk about the Phd Tracks and other T4Eu opportunities for PhD students?

FILL in THE FORM

Thesis bundles

What are Thesis bundles?

T4EU Thesis Bundles bring together PhD supervisors and their students from different disciplines to work on a common central research theme.The aim is to create groups of academics from different T4EU universities working on related questions together with their PhD Students.

These bundles function as multidisciplinary research clusters, forming an interdisciplinary scientific community. 

Regular interactions will take place throughout the duration of the cluster project (ideally for a minimum of two years), including for example exchanges and visits within research units, common activities and communication about their work. At least one international mobility per year should be suggested and financially supported for the members in the scientific community.   

If you are a PhD student you can either join an existing Thesis bundle or suggest a new one together with your supervisor.

Phd Students will have the chance to meet up in person and learn more about the Thesis Bundles proposals and other opportunities at the Matchmaking event hosted in Saint-Étienne at JMU University from 25 to 28 November 2025.

Would you like to be contacted by T4EU coordinator to talk about the Thesis bundles and other T4Eu opportunities for PhD students?

FILL in the FORM

Matchmaking event at Jean Monnet University

Jean Monnet University will host the Matchmaking event from 25 to 28 November 2025. The meeting will bring together academic staff and project leaders from T4EU partner universities to discuss academic cooperation.

This event is particularly interesting for PhD students and their supervisors, who will have the chance to meet, exchange ideas and collaborate on joint projects e.g. Junior Labs, Thesis bundles and PhD Tracks.


Check the programme here and use the following link to show us your interest by 24th October: Matchmaking Event Jean Monnet University.

For information contact: t4eu@univ-st-etienne.fr 

AI for Productivity: a seminar for PhD students

The Professional Competence Development Center at Vytautas Magnus University offers the T4EU PhD students the opportunity to join the online seminar: AI Tools to Boost Your Productivity.

This course familiarizes the participants with practical and user-friendly AI tools designed to boost academic productivity, improve teaching, and simplify administrative work. Participants will examine how artificial intelligence can contribute to lesson planning, content creation, grading, research support, and communication, while upholding ethical and pedagogical principles. Through hands-on sessions, they will acquire concrete skills and leave equipped with ready-to-use tools.

  • Date: October 29, 2025, 3:00–5:00 p.m. (EEST)
  • Duration: 2 hours
  • Place: Online training (the link will be sent one day before the seminar)
  • Target group: VMU academic staff and Transform4Europe doctoral students
  • Lecturer: Lina Abraitienė, Institute of Foreign Languages, Vytautas Magnus University.
  • This seminar does not award academic credits in the university curriculum.
REGIsTRATION

Programme:

  • Introduction to AI in Academia. Activity: Group discussion – “How are you already using AI (knowingly or not)?”
  • AI for Lesson Planning and Content Creation. Activity: Use ChatGPT or other AI tools to generate a lesson plan or teaching material for your subject.
  • AI in Assessment and Feedback. Activity: Test AI tools (e.g., Gradescope, ChatGPT) to create quiz questions or generate automated feedback.
  • Research Support with AI. Activity: Use tools like Elicit or Scite to find sources, summarise articles, or brainstorm research ideas.
  • Time Management and Task Automation. Activity: Create an AI-powered weekly planner or email response assistant (e.g., using Notion AI or Gmail smart replies).
  • AI for Presentation and Visual Aid Creation. Activity: Design a slide deck using AI (e.g., Canva Magic Design, Tome.app) for an upcoming lecture.
  • Ethical Use of AI in Teaching and Learning. Activity: Case study discussion – “Where is the ethical line in student use of AI?”
  • Building Your AI Toolkit. Activity: Create a personalised “AI toolbox” list for your academic tasks and share it with peers

Junior Labs: an opportunity for PhD students

Through the Junior Labs initiative, T4EU PhD students have the unique opportunity to establish their own academic groups, or to join an existing one.

What are T4EU Junior Labs?

T4EU Junior Labs are short-term, student-driven academic networks established by PhD candidates currently enrolled at T4EU partner universities.
Their purpose is to:

  • Encourage interdisciplinary academic work
  • Facilitate networking among PhDs
  • Promote international engagement and provide critical experience to enhance future career prospects
  • Support international mobility in Europe

Each Junior Lab runs for up to two years and is coordinated by a project leader, who must remain registered as a PhD student at a T4EU university for the entire duration of the project. All participating students are likewise required to be enrolled at a T4EU partner university.
Applications for Junior Labs are reviewed by the Joint PhD Office to ensure alignment with the T4EU pillars.

Fill in the form if you would like to be contacted by T4EU to know more about the different possibilities.

Find out more:
Junior Labs and how to apply

Available Junior Labs:
TRUSTING THE CHAIN: Exploring confidence, societal impact, economic, and
technical challenges in blockchain technology

PEDAGOGIES FOR SOCIAL CHANGE: Supporting Student Engagement, Identity, and Transitions.

Suggested Junior Labs:
NEW ARTISTIC FORMS / CULTURAL INNOVATION: Dissemination and significance of contemporary art throughout Europe. 
This theme invites PhDs in contemporary art, cultural studies and related fields to explore how new artistic forms are emerging, circulating and gaining significance across Europe.

INTERDISCIPLINARY PERSPECTIVES ON TEACHER WELL-BEING AT WORK
This Junior Lab invites doctoral researchers in education studies, work studies, sociology, psychology, occupational health, and related fields to explore the diverse and interconnected factors that shape teacher well-being at work; It will examine how school leadership, administration, workplace culture, access to mental and physical health resources influence teachers’ sense of purpose, motivation, and long-term professional sustainability. 

EDUCATION AND INCLUSIVENESS / EDUCATION WITHOUT BARRIERS
Authentic assessment practices in higher education influence student engagement and academic achievement, with a focus on underrepresented student groups.

Phd Students will have the chance to meet up in person and learn more about the Junior labs proposals and other opportunities at the Matchmaking event hosted in Saint-Etienne from 25 to 28 November 2025.

A multilingual concert for the European Day of Languages

On September 26th, T4EU Alliance will join the celebrations of the European Day of Languages, a day dedicated to the richness of linguistic and cultural diversity across Europe.

To mark the occasion and to celebrate plurilingualism and cultural exchanges. the Language Center of Vytautas Magnus University has organised a Multilingual Concert in Kaunas. The concert will feature songs from all over Europe. It will be possible to join the event online via live streaming, making the celebration accessible to a wider audience.

When: Friday, 26th September 2025, 10 A.M. -11 A.M. (CEST)

LISTEN TO THE CONCERT

Summer school: Science, how to write and talk about it

The Department of Biodiversity at the University of Primorska (FAMNIT), in collaboration with international colleagues, is hosting the Summer school “Science, how to write and talk about it”, from 13th to 27th October 2025, in Izola, Slovenia.

The Summer School offers an advanced-level programme designed for master’s and doctoral students, recent graduates, and early-career researchers in biology, nature conservation, and related disciplines. Highly motivated senior undergraduates are also welcome to apply.

Applications are open until 15 September 2025. A motivation letter must be submitted with the application.

During the two-week programme, participants will learn about:

  • preparing scientific articles, posters, and oral presentations
  • designing tables and graphs for papers and posters
  • public speaking skills and conference presentations
  • structuring and writing undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral theses

Lecturers:

  • Prof. Dr. Karl-Ludwig Schuchmann
  • Prof. Dr. Marinez Isaac Marques
  • Dr. Carolline Zatta Fieker
  • (Federal University of Mato Grosso, Brazil)

Coordinator: Asst. Martin Senič (University of Primorska); martin.senic@famnit.upr.si

Minimum participation fee: €30 for UP and other T4EU students / €60 for others

3 ECTS | Language: English | Limited to 15 participants

Full programme

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Science Café at EKA

The Estonian Academy of Arts (EKA) is hosting the T4EU Science Café “Keep the Church in the Village”on the 4th of September from 1 to 3 pm.

The roundtable will examine how the roles of religious and industrial buildings are evolving in today’s Europe. With congregations declining and industries moving away, churches and factories are often left empty, posing challenging questions about reuse, heritage, and identity.

Speakers include:

  • Brigitta Davidjants – Musicologist and journalist, The Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre (Estonia)
  • Marko Uibu – Associate Professor of Social Innovation, University of Tartu (Estonia)
  • Alexandre Palma – Associate Professor, Faculty of Theology, Catholic University of Portugal and Auxiliary Bishop of the Patriarchate of Lisbon (Portugal)
  • Gregor Taul – Art historian and semiotician, Estonian Academy of Arts (Estonia), moderator of the event.

Date & Time: 4 September, 13:00–15:00 (EEST, Tallinn time)
Location: Narva Art Residency (NART, Joala 18), Estonia
Format: Onsite & Online via T4EU Youtube channel

Registration

The online meeting link will be sent to you by email closer to the event date and will also be available before the event.