Open Call: UPC-MERIT Scholarship Programme for Master’s in Machine Learning and Cybersecurity

Deadline Date: June 01, 2026 

 Donor Name: European Commission (EC)

 Grant Size: $100,000 to $500,000

 Category: Scholarship

 Reference URL:https://ec.europa.eu/info/funding-tenders/opportunities/portal/screen/opportunities/competitive-calls-cs/10445?order=DESC&pageNumber=1&pageSize=50&sortBy=startDate&isExactMatch=true&status=31094502

Applications are now open for the UPC-MERIT Scholarship Programme for Master’s in Machine Learning and Cybersecurity to provide recipients with high-quality education in digital areas and to promote equality and excellence in the field of computer science.

The official Master’s degree in Machine Learning and Cybersecurity for Internet-Connected System aims to provide advanced and specialised scientific and technological training in artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, with an emphasis on their application in internet-connected systems, including computer systems of multiple degrees of complexity in general and Internet of Things systems in particular. It addresses the current shortage of professionals who have this kind of training, which is highly valued in industry and research in Information and Communications Technology (ICT). 

The master’s program is mainly practical and focused on both application and theoretical foundation. Contrary to more specialized programs, this master’s degree offers a broader training in three interrelated and complementary areas that are essential in today’s ICT, which are AI, cybersecurity and Internet of Things.

Gender equality and socioeconomic status are factors that will be taken into account in the evaluation but everyone is welcome to apply regardless of their personal situation.

Funding Information

• The maximum budget for this call is €104,000 and funding is available until 30th of September, 2026 when the MERIT project finishes.

Role and Responsibilities

• Sign an agreement to accept the scholarship.
• Provide a certificate of ownership of the bank account where the support should be disbursed.
• Write a report on their experience and learning outcomes every semester.
• Validate a minimum of 21 ECTS per semester.
• Provide supporting documentation for the eligible expenses actually incurred.
• Contract a travel insurance that covers at least health care at the destination country, accident insurance and repatriation in case of death. 
• Provide proof of attendance to the event or certification of the stay by the host institution.

Eligibility Criteria

• Candidates must have been admitted to the MERIT master at UPC Manresa or applied to be admitted for the 2025/2026 academic year. This means that to be considered for the scholarship applicants will have to apply concurrently to the master’s program or be already enrolled in the program.
• Being a full-time degree seeking student in the master’s degree program (30 ECTS per semester).
• Being an EU citizen or a citizen of Iceland, Norway, Liechtenstein and Ukraine.
• Having monthly rental expenses of at least €300 or living at a distance of UPC Manresa of at least 40 km.

Selection Criteria

• The selection committee will evaluate the applications taking into account the academic merit of the candidate as well as the gender and socioeconomic disparities in engineering and computer science. 

Application Requirements

• The following documentation has to be attached to the application form:
  • Cover letter stating the following: presentation of the candidate detailing their academic merits and the description of their situation (personal, social, economic, work, academic performance, etc.) that may be relevant to obtaining the scholarship.
  • Documentary evidence of the situations described in the previous point.
  • Candidates who have won a competition in a MERIThON event at UPC Manresa should indicate it in the cover letter.
  • Also provide documentary evidence of meeting the rental or distance requirements. 
  • Also provide a letter explaining what hardware, software or study materials the applicant needs to purchase, the reason why this is required to correctly follow the master degree and the estimated budget.
  • Also provide proof of the scientific achievement (publication, poster or start-up company documentation), letter explaining the relationship with the master program and budget.
  • Also provide information about the mobility stay, letter explaining the purpose and relationship with the master program and budget.