Leiden University Una Europa Seed Funding
Leiden University Una Europa Seed Funding offers researchers, teachers and non-academic staff the opportunity to apply for up to €15,000 in funding for projects which build international ties within the Una Europa alliance.
Do you have an idea for a project that supports interdisciplinary collaboration, stimulates mobility or which could lead to larger research and education initiatives? And would you like to carry out this project with colleagues located at other Una Europa universities?
You may apply for Una Europa Seed Funding for various projects such as research visits, collaborative small-scale research or co-publication projects, co-created short or blended courses, or preparatory work for external funding proposals.
Funding strands
The call has three strands (or action lines), aligned with the strategic ambitions of both Leiden University and Una Europa.
- Early-Career Researcher (ECR) Mobility and Collaboration: Supports short-term research exchanges, workshops, or collaborative pilot projects led by ECRs.
- Lifelong Learning (LLO) Innovation: Funds the development or testing of innovative LLO formats that contribute to Una Europa’s shared LLO agenda and Leiden University’s educational innovation goals.
- Strategic and Interdisciplinary Initiatives: Supports activities that make a tangible contribution to Una Europa’s and Leiden University’s strategic objectives, and which strengthen interdisciplinary and inter-university networks.
Eligibility requirements
Proposals must be led by Leiden University staff members. These can be non-academic, teaching or research staff, including postdocs and PhD candidates in their final years. Project proposals must also:
- Involve another Una Europa partner university and, in the case of strands 2 and 3, at least two other Una Europa partners.
- Be interdisciplinary (applicable only to strand 3), engaging expertise from more than one academic discipline and/or faculty.
In addition, all proposals must link to at least one strategic area of work for Una Europa:
- Focus areas: Cultural Heritage, Data Science and Artificial Intelligence, Europe and the World, Future Materials and Technologies, One Health or Sustainability.
- Transversal themes: Diversity and Inclusion, International Dimension, Mobility, Research and innovation, Student-centered teaching, or Sustainability.
Learn more on the Una Europa website.
Budget and duration
A total of €130,000 is available. Per strand, the following amounts are available:
- Strand 1 (ECR Mobility): up to €5,000
- Strand 2 (LLO Innovation): up to €10,000
- Strand 3 (Strategic Initiatives): up to €15,000
The maximum project duration is ten months. Projects funded in 2026 can start from 1 June 2026 and must end no later than 31 March 2027.
About Una Europa
Una Europa is an alliance of 11 leading research universities, including Leiden University. It brings opportunities to our students, academics and staff. Together with all Una Europa partners we are learning, collaborating and shaping the future of education and research.
More information and how to apply
Read more about this Leiden University Una Europa funding opportunity in the call for proposals. See also the Frequently Asked Questions.
If you would like to apply, please fill out the application form and send it to una-europa@bb.leidenuniv.nl. The deadline is 30 April 2026. Successful applicants will be informed by the end of May.