EMERGE third places fellowships programme

PREAMBLE

EMERGE brings together nine European universities committed to empowering Europe’s margins through regional and global engagement. The Alliance promotes societal engagement, co-creation of knowledge, open science, and multidisciplinary research addressing territorial challenges.

The EMERGE Third-Places Fellowships allow researchers to engage with colleagues and local communities during a one-month stay within the EMERGE Alliance and its designated third places (research centres, laboratories, technological platforms, living labs, fablabs, coworking spaces, etc.).

Applicants are not automatically entitled to a fellowship place. At the time of application, eligible applicants must have already obtained written acceptance from the host institution (or third-party organization). Acceptance is subject to the host’s capacity and internal approval procedures.

The Third Places Fellowships search tool is provided to facilitate access to fellowship opportunities across partner institutions of the EMERGE Alliance. Information is presented for guidance purposes and may be updated periodically by the participating institutions.

Chapter I. General Provisions

Article 1. Object

This call invites applications for up to two (2) mobility grants (“Third Places Fellowships”) within the EMERGE Alliance. The grants cover eligible travel and subsistence costs for a research stay, with the objective of strengthening research cooperation within the Alliance.

Article 2. Characteristics of the mobility grant

The mobility period shall last 25 to 35 days and be completed by 20 December 2026.

Article 3. Financing

1. The research mobility grant will be funded from the EMERGE WP6 budget at DUTH.
2. Subsistence allowance: reimbursement shall be calculated on a daily basis, up to €130.00 per day. In all cases, the total subsistence reimbursement shall not exceed €2,500.00.

Travel contribution: a fixed amount determined on the basis of the distance to the host institution, as set out below:

* Travel that uses low-emission means of transport for the main part of the travel, such as bus, train, bike, or car-pooling (Erasmus+ Programme Guide 2025 (Version 2)).

Any other costs (e.g., consumables, per diem/allowances beyond the approved subsistence rules, or fees for access to equipment or infrastructure) are not eligible.

The approved fellowship shall be paid only after the successful completion of the mobility period, subject to the submission and verification of all required supporting documents.

Article 4. Requirements

Applicants must:
• Hold a faculty position at DUTH
• Be active during the mobility period (Not to have educational or sick leave, etc., not to be a part-time professor).
• Submit an invitation letter (or email) from the host institution.
• Demonstrate alignment with EMERGE values.

Faculty members already involved in the EMERGE project are not eligible.

Article 7. Evaluation Committee

The Evaluation Committee shall consist of three (3) faculty members and three (3) designated alternate members. Members and alternates shall be appointed, as a priority, from members of the WP6 of the EMERGE group. The Committee shall act in accordance with the principles of impartiality, transparency, and equal treatment. Any situation giving rise, or likely to give rise, to a conflict of interest shall be declared without delay. No member or alternate shall take part in the evaluation of a submission from a candidate affiliated with the same Department. Where such a situation arises, the members concerned shall be excluded from the procedure and replaced by the designated alternate.

Article 8. Evaluation criteria

Evaluation will be based on:

• Academic and scientific merit (15 points)
• Quality and feasibility of the research proposal (30 points)
• Expected impact of the proposal (15 points)
• Participation in an Erasmus mobility programme during the last two years (-15 points)
• Academic Rank
• Assistant Professor: 40 points
• Associate Professor: 20 points
• Professor: 10 points

In the event of a tie, priority shall be given to the application submitted by an Assistant Professor. If the tie persists, ranking priority shall be determined by the higher score, in descending order, in the following criteria: (1) Academic and scientific merit, (2) Quality and feasibility of the proposal, and (3) Expected impact of the proposal. If a tie remains after application of the above criteria, the tied applicants shall be invited to attend a lot-drawing procedure.

Fellows awarded under this call shall not be eligible to receive funding under future similar “Third Places Fellowships” calls within the EMERGE framework at DUTH.

Article 9. Publication of Results and Appeals

The Evaluation Committee shall publish the provisional results (provisional ranking list) on http://emerge.duth.gr

Applicants may lodge an appeal against the provisional results within a deadline of five (5) working days from the day following their publication.

Appeals shall be examined by the Project Appeals Committee, which shall adopt and publish the final results within an exclusive deadline of three (3) working days from the expiry of the appeal deadline.

The Appeals Committee shall be appointed in accordance with the same procedure as the Evaluation Committee and shall be subject to the same provisions regarding composition, mandate, and conflict of interest.

CHAPTER III. Obligations of Selected Fellows

Article 10. Obligations

Selected Fellows must comply with the following rules:

• Provide a copy of a valid health insurance policy (or the European Health Insurance Card) covering the entire mobility period.
• Complete all required administrative procedures and formalities of DUTH and the host institution/third place prior to departure.
• Notify DUTH’s EMERGE Office without delay of any withdrawal, any change to the mobility dates, or any circumstance that may affect the implementation or successful completion of the fellowship.

Within ten (10) calendar days following the end of the mobility period, the fellow shall submit the following supporting documents:

• Original travel documents (e.g. boarding passes; flight/train tickets; toll receipts; and any other evidence of travel), in accordance with the applicable ELEK – DUTH rules (see: https://rescom.duth.gr/diaheirisi-ereunas/project-implementation/pliromi-dapanon/metakiniseis/ ).
• A Certificate of Successful Completion of the Mobility Period, signed by the Head of Department or the designated mobility officer at the host institution.
• Final report on the mobility period.

 

Visibility and Acknowledgement Obligations:

Fellows must actively contribute to the visibility and dissemination of their mobility period within the EMERGE Alliance. Fellows shall:

• Contribute to the communication and social media coverage of their stay during or shortly after the mobility period, in accordance with EMERGE quality assurance and reporting requirements.
• Provide appropriate material (e.g., short texts, photos, testimonials, brief activity summaries) that will be used for dissemination purposes by the EMERGE Alliance and the Democritus University of Thrace (DUTH).
• Include the following acknowledgement in any publication, presentation, report, or communication arising from the fellowship: Acknowledgement: The authors acknowledge the EMERGE Alliance and the Democritus University of Thrace (DUTH)for providing financial support to facilitate the visit and related travel undertaken in connection with this work at [Host Institution or entity Name].

Failure to comply with the visibility and acknowledgement requirements may result in the partial or full recovery of the fellowship funds.

Article 11. Data protection

For information regarding the personal data protection policy applied by Democritus University of Thrace, as well as the procedures for exercising the rights guaranteed under the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and Law 4624/2019, please visit the website: Personal Data Protection (GDPR) fo DUTH.

Financial Liability and Payment Conditions

DUTH shall bear no financial liability for any costs or expenses incurred by the fellows beyond the amount approved in the relevant fellowship award decision.

In the event of non-completion of the mobility period, non-compliance with the applicable fellowship terms, or failure to submit the required supporting documents, DUTH reserves the right to reduce, withhold, or reject payment, in whole or in part.