Centres of Vocational Excellence

Expected Outcome: Practical chip design experience integrated into education at multiple levels; at least 1,000 students across Europe completing funded tape-outs over 4 years; stronger reskilling pathways for students from adjacent fields; and a sustainable, continent-wide pipeline of chip design talent to support Europe's semiconductor ambitions. Scope: This call funds a comprehensive Chip Design Skills Programme to lower barriers to entry in chip design and tape-outs. At least 60% of the budget must support hands-on tape-out experiences (via multi-project wafers) for university and secondary school students.

Expected Outcome: Europe's first long-term VET provider network for semiconductors; a larger and more diverse pool of qualified technicians; and increased intra- and extra-EU mobility of students and workers to fill skills gaps in semiconductor facilities. Scope: This call supports the establishment of a European-level federation of Vocational Education and Training (VET) providers focused on semiconductor industry roles. Projects should develop industry-aligned micro-credentials and reskilling programmes, with a strong emphasis on workers transitioning from other industrial sectors and on cross-border recognition of qualifications.

Expected Outcome: project results are expected to contribute to all of the following outcomes: complementing national programmes whose purpose is to ensure a sufficient and competent nuclear workforce. The action will generate EU added value by supporting coordination, sharing best practices and creating a single point for nuclear education and training at the EU level; enhancing nuclear careers by promoting Euratom competences in the fields of nuclear safety, security, safeguards, radioactive waste management and radiation protection; making them available through a higher number of attractive education programmes; and expanding mobility opportunities and job perspectives (including giving access to world-class infrastructure); advancing nuclear education and training through strategic actions for the safe implementation of AI; making nuclear education more attractive and disseminating information to communities of various profiles and ages, including for experienced professionals from adjacent industries (e.g. manufacturing industries) interested in continuing developing their career in the nuclear field. Scope: the purpose is to support the programme’s objective of maintaining…

Expected Outcome: Projects should contribute to all the following expected outcomes: Enhanced understanding, accompanied by documented good practices, showing what works to encourage multilingualism in society and what type of practices have led to safeguarding linguistic heritage, including lesser used, endangered and historically marginalised languages. Rigorous policy-relevant evidence, strategies and policy recommendations for promoting multilingualism and safeguarding linguistic diversity are available to policy makers, and users are involved in their development, especially the younger generation. Non-linguistic benefits of language maintenance and revitalisation are well documented, communicated and understood by different stakeholders. Citizens are empowered and engaged in the sustainable management of their own linguistic heritage and resources, with a focus on intergenerational dialogue and education activities, with particular attention to communities where oral transmission is the primary mode of language preservation. Maps and visual presentations showing the linguistic diversity in Europe are available, including a variety of existing languages (regional and minority…

Expected Outcome: Projects should contribute to all of the following expected outcomes: Policymakers gain insights into the cost of child poverty and the returns from securing access of disadvantaged children to quality Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) in the EU. Policymakers receive operational advice on ways to reduce this cost and support participation of disadvantaged children in quality ECEC to close the gap with other children in the EU. Scope: Past studies researched the cost of child poverty, and the returns yielded by and ways to secure disadvantaged children’s participation to ECEC, yet their relevance to the current EU context is limited (i.e. most of them were conducted outside of the EU or they are now outdated). Producing EU-specific insights on these issues is the aim of this topic, which should help close the ECEC participation gap and improve social outcomes, in line with the European Pillar of Social Rights, while fostering fiscal sustainability and inclusive growth. The proposals may: Define disadvantaged children, by going beyond monetary aspects of disadvantages, building on the EU’s concept of risk of poverty or social exclusion, and taking into…

Expected Outcome: Projects should contribute to all of the following expected outcomes: An in-depth analysis of the socio-economic dimensions and impacts of generative AI on the cultural and creative sectors and related societal implications. Particular attention should be paid to rights and remuneration of creators, diversity of cultural expression, audience perception, consumption patterns, market dynamics, value chains, royalty allocation and the effectiveness of copyright infrastructure. Scenarios, value chains, standards and robust, agile solutions to ensure transparency and trust in the generative AI supply chain are developed, aiming for a fair and transparent market for cultural and creative content. This includes: systems for content provenance detection of AI-generated and manipulated creative content; tools and infrastructure that reinforce rights management, creators’ consent, control, and fair compensation for the use of their works in AI training and generation; measures supporting the findability and discoverability of trustworthy cultural and creative content; mechanisms for the long-term preservation and stewardship of AI-generated creative works. Adaptive policy…

Scope: This award aims to recognise sport activities implemented by organisations and/or individuals that have made outstanding contributions to sports through volunteer work. It also recognises dedication, leadership, and the positive impact of volunteers in fostering community engagement, inclusivity, and the development of sports at all levels. This category celebrates organisations and individuals that have demonstrated outstanding commitment to supporting and developing sports through volunteer efforts. It highlights the crucial role volunteers play in shaping the future of sports and inspiring positive change in their communities.

Scope: This award aims to recognise sport activities implemented by organisations that have significantly contributed to promoting physical activity across education and training establishments, non-formal learning environments, workplaces or local community. It recognises efforts that inspire and create opportunities for people of all ages to integrate movement into their daily lives, fostering a more active and healthier society. This category celebrates initiatives that have successfully encouraged physical activity at all levels while strengthening awareness of the link between regular physical activity and health, with particular emphasis on prevention of cardiovascular diseases. It highlights the power of physical activity in transforming lives, workplaces, and communities, inspiring a healthier and more active society.

Scope: This award seeks to recognise organisations that have successfully used sport as a powerful tool to promote peace. It honours those that have made significant contributions in bringing together diverse communities, groups, and individuals, transcending differences and fostering dialogue, tolerance, and collaboration beyond divisions. This category celebrates initiatives that leverage sport and physical activity to build relationships founded on mutual respect and cooperation toward shared goals, ultimately contributing to peaceful coexistence at the local, national, or global level.

Scope: This award aims to recognise sport activities implemented by organisations working with sport across generations and contributing to strengthen communities. It recognises organisations that have made a significant contribution to strengthening communities promoting inter-generational activities through sport, providing easier access to sport & physical activities for all generations and keeping in mind interests of future generations. This category celebrates initiatives that use sport to bring people of all ages together, fostering intergenerational connections, inclusion, and long-term community development. It highlights the power of sport in bridging generational gaps, fostering understanding, and creating stronger, more connected communities.