Rodzaj oferty: For employees

Virtual Inclusion Office: A connected and inclusive university

The Virtual Inclusion Office (VIO) is now available to the entire academic community. It is a website dedicated to supporting the creation of more accessible, equitable, and inclusive learning environments within the Unite! alliance.

The VIO brings together, in a single repository, a vast array of ready-to-use materials, guides, tools, and best practices that facilitate the development of accessible content and the adoption of inclusive teaching practices. The goal is to make inclusion a natural part of everyday academic life, whether in teaching, learning, or technical support.

Teachers, students, and support professionals will find checklists, templates, and concrete examples on VIO that help incorporate accessibility into different educational contexts. This site also includes a series of podcasts with experts and members of the Unite! community, who share reflections, experiences, and trends on the future of accessibility in higher education.

Access to VIO is open to all Unite! members, including partner communities and universities. In addition to the resources provided, the team offers personalized support to those who need guidance or have specific accessibility needs.

Visit the Virtual Inclusion Office and contribute to an increasingly inclusive university experience. Inclusion is a shared responsibility, and no one walks alone.

Leaders of Change Needed. Unite! launches a new sustainability course

Sustainability today is more than a catchy slogan – it is about concrete decisions, processes and competencies that universities need here and now. In the second half of February, the nine-module online course “Unite! Training Programme on Sustainability for Prospective Leaders” will be launched on the Metacampus platform. The programme shows how to translate climate goals into real action and effective leadership. It was developed through the collaboration of experts from Wrocław Tech, Politecnico di Torino, UPC and TU Graz, and is addressed to students and staff members who want to actively shape the transformation of their institutions.

– Transition towards sustainability at universities is a challenging process. It requires competences to make conscious decisions, the courage to change, and people who can connect strategy with everyday practice. This course was created precisely to support future leaders in implementing real change – explains prof. Magdalena Bamborska-Narożny, leader of Community 8, which developed the programme.

The course takes the form of a coherent, nine-module learning pathway and guides participants through the key areas of sustainability in higher education – from basic concepts and the role of universities in achieving global sustainability goals, through strategy and governance, to very practical issues related to energy, campus infrastructure, environmental data reporting and communicating results to decision-makers.

A strong emphasis is placed on practice. Participants will work with real-life examples from Unite! alliance universities, learning how to use tools for monitoring and analysing environmental data, exploring eco-design solutions, and analysing green business models and ways of engaging the academic community in change processes. The programme also covers topics related to sustainable mobility, the organisation of academic events and reducing the carbon footprint of business travel.

An important element of the course is its forward-looking perspective. A module dedicated to lifelong learning highlights how to develop green skills in the long term and the role micro-credentials can play in this process. In turn, classes on sustainable energy management help participants better understand decision-making processes related to energy projects, even for those without a specialised technical background.

“Unite! Training Programme on Sustainability for Prospective Leaders” is a proposal for those who want to consciously and responsibly co-create the future of higher education. The course will start on 16 February and will be delivered entirely online.

Detailed information about the course and registration is available on the Metacampus platform. The programme is delivered fully online and has a modular structure, allowing participants to flexibly combine learning with their daily professional responsibilities. To complete the “Unite! Training Programme on Sustainability for Prospective Leaders”, participants must complete at least five course modules, covering both strategic issues and practical tools supporting the implementation of sustainability at universities.

Summary:

What: “Unite! Training Programme on Sustainability for Prospective Leaders”

With the following modules:

  • Introduction to Sustainability in Higher Education
  • Institutional Sustainability Strategy & Governance
  • Energy Efficiency and Green Campus Operations
  • Sustainability Monitoring, Reporting & Communication
  • Integration of Sustainability in Product Design
  • Change Management and Community Engagement: Green Business Models
  • Change Management and Community Engagement: Sustainable Mobility and Travel
  • Lifelong Learning on Sustainability
  • Sustainable Energy Management

Dates: 16.02.2026–26.03.2026

Format: online classes plus individual work

Participants: students and staff members

Registration via Metacampus

Completion requirements: completion of a minimum of five modules.

 

 

Unite! Seed Fund 2026: OPEN CALL

The Unite! Seed Fund Call “Spring 2026” is officially open, offering funding across three strategic lines: Student Activities, Teaching and Learning, and Research and PhD.

A new Unite! Seed Fund funding call is now open until 20 March 2026. The call provides financial support for collaborations between Unite! partner universities, helping to initiate projects and place new or emerging collaborations on a strong and sustainable footing.

Student activities

  • Objective: Start long-term collaborations between student associations and other student-centred organisations across the Unite! universities.
  • Available budget: Up to €20,000 per project, involving at least 2 Unite! universities.
  • What is new? Only student associations and other student-centred organisations at the Unite! universities will be eligible to apply. Applications from individual students will not be accepted. That means that your student body’s eligibility must be confirmed by the Student Liaison Officers.
  • Deadline: The deadline for contacting the Unite! Student Liaison Officer at each participating university is 8 March 2026. The deadline for submitting the full application is 20 March 2026.
  • Announcement of results: Early June 2026
  • Funding period for this call: October 2026 – December 2027

Student Seed Fund INFO SESSIONS:

27 January from 12-13h CET

18 February from 12-13h CET

2 March from 12-13 CET

Zoom link to the sessions: https://grenoble-inp.zoom.us/j/95113657919
ID meeting: 951 1365 7919 | Passcode: 530105

Teaching & Learning

  • Objective: Support the creation of joint/collaborative educational offers with ECTS, with the potential for being scaled up into Joint Programmes. Applications must involve at least 3 Unite! universities and address at least one of the Unite! focus areas: Sustainable Energy; Artificial Intelligence; Industry 4.0; Entrepreneurship; Engineering Biology (and Biotechnology); Space; Cybersecurity; and Sustainable Cities & Water.
  • Available budget: Between €10,000 and €80,000 per project, depending on the project goals and the number of Unite! partners involved.
  • How to find partners? A virtual matchmaking event will be held on 5 February, aimed at connecting potential collaboration partners from the Unite! universities. Participation is recommended but not mandatory (see the info box below for more details).
  • What is new? Applications aiming at the creation of joint teaching offers must include letters of commitment from all departments/schools involved, confirming that the project outcomes are to be devised as long-term educational offers fully integrated in local curricula.
  • Deadline: The deadline for submitting the full application is 20 March 2026.

Teaching & Learning VIRTUAL MATCHMAKING EVENT

5 February from 12:00-14:00 CET

Registration link: https://eveeno.com/uniteseedfundteaching2026

 

Deadline for registration: Monday, 2 February 2026 (end of day)

 

*It is possible to register either as a ‘coordinator’ (with a project idea) or as a ‘partner’ (who is looking for a coordinator). During the virtual meeting, there will be one breakout room per project idea, with the coordinator leading/moderating the discussion. The full list of project ideas will be shared with all registered participants after 2 February 2026.

 

Research & PhD

  • Objective: Start new research collaborations and/or PhD offers between at least 3 Unite! universities and support joint applications for larger third-party funding. Applications must address at least one of the Unite! focus areas: Sustainable Energy; Artificial Intelligence; Industry 4.0; Entrepreneurship; Engineering Biology (and Biotechnology); Space; Cybersecurity; and Sustainable Cities & Water.
  • Available budget: Between €10,000 and €80,000 per project, depending on the project goals and the number of Unite! partners involved.
  • How to find partners? A virtual matchmaking event will be held on 6 February, aimed at connecting potential collaboration partners from the Unite! universities. Participation is recommended but not mandatory (see the info box below for more details).
  • What is new? For the programme option “Exploring” (with a budget of €10,000 per project), applications from Early Career Researchers will be preferred.
  • Deadline: The deadline for submitting the full application is 20 March 2026. 

Research & PhD VIRTUAL MATCHMAKING EVENT

 

6 February from 12:00-14:00 CET

Registration link: https://eveeno.com/uniteseedfundresearch2026

Deadline for registration: Monday, 3 February 2026 (end of day)

 

*It is possible to register either as a ‘coordinator’ (with a project idea) or as a ‘partner’ (who is looking for a coordinator). During the virtual meeting, there will be one breakout room per project idea, with the coordinator leading/moderating the discussion. The full list of project ideas will be shared with all registered participants after 3 February 2026.

 

More information

Unite! Seed Fund – from an idea to an international project. Workshops for the Wrocław Tech community

A good idea is only the beginning. How can it be turned into an international project with real funding and partners from leading European universities?

We will look for answers to these questions at the workshop “Unite! Seed Fund – from an Idea to an International Project”, taking place on 23 January at Wrocław University of Science and Technology. The event is open to students, academic teachers, and researchers who plan to apply for a grant in the upcoming call. The application period opens on 20 January and runs until 20 March.

Unite! Seed Fund is one of the most accessible support instruments within the European University Alliance Unite!. Minimal formal requirements, a fast decision-making process, and a strong focus on innovation are its key features. During the meeting at WUST, participants will learn how to use this potential in practice—from the first idea, through team building, to drafting a proposal ready for further consultation.

The event will be opened by Prof. Renata Krzyżyńska, Vice-Rector for External Relations. The first part of the meeting will provide an introduction to the Seed Fund programme—its objectives, scope of support, and examples of projects already implemented within Unite!. This will be followed by a short Q&A session and networking over coffee.

The main part of the event will consist of parallel workshops tailored to three target groups. Students will focus on developing innovative, interdisciplinary initiatives—from technological projects and hackathons to social actions. Researchers will learn how to use the Seed Fund as a rapid proof of concept ahead of applying for a larger grant. Academic teachers will take part in the track “Educational Innovations with Unite! – from Idea to Implementation”, designed for those considering new courses, modules, COIL projects, micro-credentials, or summer schools delivered in international cooperation.

Unite! Seed Fund – from an Idea to an International Project

Workshops for students, researchers, and academic teachers

Date: 23 January 2026
Venue: Building D-20, 10:00–13:00
Registration: via online form

Programme:

10:00–10:30 Opening: What is the Unite! Seed Fund?
Prof. Renata Krzyżyńska, Vice-Rector for External Relations
– current programme objectives
– scope of support and types of funded projects
– examples of completed projects
– Q&A session (brief, general)

10:30–11:00 Networking and coffee break

11:00–13:00 Parallel workshops for students, academic teachers, and researchers

Sustainability in Teaching Pedagogical Course Open for Unite! Faculty

If you are interested in embedding sustainability themes into your teaching, and discussing the topic with like-minded colleagues, this course is designed for you.

Sustainability in Teaching equips you with theoretical knowledge of sustainability education and practical examples to help you discover your unique way of embedding sustainability in your teaching.

In this course, Uniters can discuss sustainability education from multiple perspectives- including the concept of sustainability and the SDGs. You will explore the role of different disciplines in promoting sustainability, key sustainability competencies, and how to design teaching and learning activities. Throughout the sessions, you will also reflect on values and emotions in sustainability education.

Upon completion of the course, you will be able to:

  • Relate sustainability/sustainable development and sustainable development goals (SDGs) to your own subject field
  • Identify and apply different approaches to integrate sustainability into teaching at a course or programme level
  • Reflect on how sustainability key competencies can be utilised to develop teaching and curriculum in your disciplinary context
  • Design and apply learning objectives, and teaching and learning activities to integrate sustainability in your disciplinary context
  • Consider the role of values and emotions in your sustainability-related teaching.

Sustainability in Teaching includes interactive individual and group assignments during the teaching sessions and individual pre- and post-assignments either side of each teaching session. Teaching and study methods include dialogic teaching, peer discussions, reflection tasks, group exercises and working in a virtual learning environment.

Take advantage of the opportunity to expand your teaching toolkit with practical sustainability integration strategies in an international and multidisciplinary setting. Apply now via the registration form or contact the course teachers for more information!

Who can participate?

You can register for this course if you are employed by Aalto University or by a partner university of Unite! and you teach at the university.

Approximately  30  participants can be accepted to this course, from which max. 10 from Unite! universities. Participants are selected based on their teaching responsibilities described in the application form. In case there are more applicants than can be accepted, the priority is given to people on tenure and lecturer tracks.

The completion of the course requires participation in all of the teaching sessions. Please check before registering that they fit into your schedule. Also, make sure to allocate time for independent work between the teaching sessions.

All applicants will be informed about acceptance via email 3 weeks before the course begins.

Practical information

 

Apply by: 8 February 2026.

Course Dates: 7 March – 23 May, 2025.
Language: English

Times: Participants are required to attend all online teaching sessions. Session dates and times are:

Friday March 6th 2026 at 14:15-15:00 UCT+2, online

Friday March 13th 2026 at 12:15-15:00 UCT+2, online

Friday March  27th 2026 at 12:15-15:00 UCT+2, online

Friday April 10th 2026 at 12:15-15:00 UCT+2, online

Friday April 24th 2026 at 12:15-15:00 UCT+2, online

Friday May 8th 2026 at 12:15-15:00 UCT+2, online

Friday May 22nd 2026 at 12:15-15:00 UCT+2, online

 

Note that all times are presented in Finnish time which means UCT+2 

 

Estimated Workload: The estimated workload is equivalent to 3 ECTS*, which corresponds to approximately 81 hours of work (contacts sessions, independent reflection tasks, readings, and other assignments between the contact sessions). Upon successful completion of the course, a certificate stating the workload and equivalency can be provided. *Unite! faculty participants outside of Aalto University need to independently check with their home institution about credit transfer. Aalto does not provide direct credit transfers to partner university students.

Grade: Pass/Fail

 

Course Format: Online

 

Course teachers

Maria Svanström, sustainability specialist, A! Co-Educator Team, and Tiina Pylkkönen, pedagogical specialist

E-mail: maria.svanstrom@aalto.fi, tiina.pylkkonen@aalto.fi

 

How to Register: Participants must register through the Aalto University registration form: https://link.webropolsurveys.com/Participation/Public/e8b21ebe-a9b7-410f-a652-3211e04eb0cc?displayId=Fin3515718

Unite! Seed Fund 2026: Call opens on 20 January 2026

Get an early overview of the Unite! Seed Fund Call “Spring 2026”, which includes three funding lines: Student Activities, Teaching and Learning, and Research and PhD.

A new Unite! Seed Fund funding call will open on 20 January 2026. The call provides financial support for collaborations between Unite! partner universities, helping to initiate projects and place new or emerging collaborations on a strong and sustainable footing, with applications due by 20 March 2026.

Student activities

  • Objective: Start long-term collaborations between student associations and other student-centred organisations across the Unite! universities.
  • Available budget: Up to €20,000 per project, involving at least 2 Unite! universities.
  • How to find partners? Virtual matchmaking in early February 2026 (details will be included in the call document).
  • What is new? Only student associations and other student-centred organisations at the Unite! universities will be eligible to apply. Applications from individual students will not be accepted.
  • Deadline: The deadline for contacting the Unite! Student Liaison Officer at each participating university is 5 March 2026.

The deadline for submitting the full application is 20 March 2026.

Teaching & Learning

  • Objective: Support the creation of joint/collaborative educational offers with ECTS, with the potential for being scaled up into Joint Programmes. Applications must involve at least 3 Unite! universities and address at least one of the Unite! focus areas: Sustainable Energy; Artificial Intelligence; Industry 4.0; Entrepreneurship; Engineering Biology (and Biotechnology); Space; Cybersecurity; and Sustainable Cities & Water.
  • Available budget: Between €10,000 and €80,000 per project, depending on the project goals and the number of Unite! partners involved.
  • How to find partners? Virtual matchmaking in early February 2026 (details will be included in the call document).
  • What is new? Applications aiming at the creation of joint teaching offers must include letters of commitment from all departments/schools involved, confirming that the project outcomes are to be devised as long-term educational offers fully integrated in local curricula.
  • Deadline: The deadline for submitting the full application is 20 March 2026.

Research & PhD

  • Objective: Start new research collaborations and/or PhD offers between at least 3 Unite! universities and support joint applications for larger third-party funding. Applications must address at least one of the Unite! focus areas: Sustainable Energy; Artificial Intelligence; Industry 4.0; Entrepreneurship; Engineering Biology (and Biotechnology); Space; Cybersecurity; and Sustainable Cities & Water.
  • Available budget: Between €10,000 and €80,000 per project, depending on the project goals and the number of Unite! partners involved.
  • How to find partners? Virtual matchmaking in early February 2026 (details will be included in the call document).
  • What is new? For the programme option “Exploring” (with a budget of €10,000 per project), applications from Early Career Researchers will be preferred.
  • Deadline: The deadline for submitting the full application is 20 March 2026.

More information

  • Previously funded projects may be explored here

Grenoble launches call for international guest professorships and visiting scientists

The Université Grenoble Alpes (UGA) has officially opened its internal call IRGA – Initiatives de Recherche Grenoble Alpes, which includes a dedicated scheme for hosting international researchers for short stays.

Following the success of the Unite! Research School in Autrans, several participants expressed interest in returning to Grenoble as visiting professors or visiting scientists. The Université Grenoble Alpes (UGA) has now launched its internal IRGA call – Initiatives de Recherche Grenoble Alpes – offering a dedicated programme for hosting international researchers on short-term visits.

Who can apply?

Although the programme is designed for international academics, applications must be submitted internally by a permanent UGA staff member (a researcher, teacher-researcher, or research engineer with a PhD) affiliated with a UGA research unit.

The “Accueil de scientifiques invités internationaux” scheme specifically targets academics currently employed at an institution outside France. Interested candidates should first contact their potential host in Grenoble — for example, colleagues met during the Research School — as the UGA host must act as the project leader.

What funding is available?

The programme supports 1–2-month stays, in one or two periods of at least one month each. Visits may combine research with teaching or training activities where relevant.

Eligible costs include:

  • Living and local expenses (daily allowance, accommodation, and local transport), according to UGA rules.
  • Travel costs covered by a fixed lump sum of €500 or €1,000, depending on the country of origin.

When to apply?

Proposals can be submitted at any time via the UGA DEPOSIBUS platform. Evaluation and funding decisions are made in several selection rounds, with the next deadlines:

  • 10 December 2025 (12:00)
  • 15 February 2026 
  • 15 May 2026 
  • 15 November 2026 (12:00)

UGA advises aiming for the first deadline for better chances of selection.

Unite! Networking Hub | Large Online Courses: Practicalities, Student Engagement and Workload

Inviting all academic staff who teach online courses or are interested in developing one in the future to join the Unite! Networking Hub on large-scale online courses. The session focuses on exchanging best practices while sharing insights and discussing how to effectively keep students engaged and motivated in an online environment.

The Unite! Networking Hub session on 16 December invites university educators and course developers from the Unite! alliance who are interested in creating or improving large-scale online courses. The discussion will range from general practicalities and ways to increase student engagement to managing student workload. Together, we will discuss best practices at our own institutions and share experiences to spark new ideas and mutual learning. Participants can have varying levels of experience — from exploring online teaching for the first time to having run MOOCs or hybrid courses for years.

What is Unite! Networking Hub?

The Unite! Networking Hub is a virtual space designed for academic and administrative staff from Unite! universities. It’s more than just a networking event, it’s a collaborative hub where colleagues come together to connect and engage with peers facing similar challenges, share best practices and tools, exchange experiences and ideas, and foster a strong cross-institutional community spirit. Whether you’re looking to solve a problem, showcase an initiative, or simply talk about your day-to-day work with someone who understands, the Networking Hub is for you.

 

How does it work?

  • 9 sessions per year, one per month (starting in October 2025)
  • Held on the third Tuesday of each month at 13:00 CET
  • Each session lasts approximately one hour
  • Hosted on a virtual platform

 

Find out more about ways to contribute and all upcoming events on Unite! Networking Hub

 

Submit your proposal for the Virtual Education Summit

Virtual Education Summit, the third in the Unite!-Ed Future Conference series, focuses on the role of higher education in supporting democracy amid global change.

Higher education for democracy has been the hallmark of many educational reforms and interventions over the years. Join the summit to hear from cutting-edge researchers and take the opportunity for matchmaking. The Virtual Education Summit will showcase Seed Fund Projects and offer matchmaking opportunities for those pursuing joint teaching or joint programme collaborations.

Would you like to present at the summit?

All types of presentations are welcome, especially those focusing on internationalisation, democracy in education, and sustainable development for education.

Fast facts:

What: Proposals for presentation at the Virtual Education Summit – The 3rd Unite! – Ed Future Conference

Topic: Higher education for democracy in a shifting global landscape

Submission Deadline: 23 January, 2026

How to submit a proposal:

  • Visit this link for full details https://metacampus.unite- university.eu/course/section.php?id=1431
  • Proposals should be submitted via EasyChair (abstracts not exceeding 500 words): https://easychair.org/conferences?conf=ued2026

Would you like to attend the summit?

This online summit will present Unite! seed funding projects and serve as a matchmaking event for joint teaching and programme collaborations. It offers an excellent opportunity to share experiences and connect with colleagues across the Unite! alliance. Registrations open 23 January 2026.

More information

What: Virtual Education Summit – The 3rd Unite!-Ed Future Conference

When: 12 March 2026

Time: 09:00–16:00 CET

Registrations open: 23 January 2026

Where: Zoom (link to be announced on Metacampus closer to the date)

*To attend the summit please enrol via Metacampus after 23 January 2026

https://metacampus.unite-university.eu/enrol/index.php?id=183

Unite! Metacampus – Innovative learning Experiences across the Alliance

The Unite! Metacampus enables faculty, staff and students to collaborate, share teaching content and design international learning experiences together — with inspiring success stories already showing its impact.

The Metacampus is Unite!’s federated learning management system (LMS) — a shared digital environment where teaching and learning transcend campus and national borders. Designed for members from all nine Unite! universities, it enables the creation and delivery of joint online courses, blended programmes, and shared teaching content across institutions.

Across Unite!, educators are already using Metacampus to run collaborative, innovative, and inclusive digital programmes — their stories illustrate just how powerful this shared platform can be.

Inspiring success stories from the Metacampus

A key example of the Metacampus in action is the Unite! Blended Intensive Programme (BIP) on Competencies for Collaborative Teaching in Joint Programmes. This six-week English-language course, held in summer 2024, helped academic staff, lecturers and researchers develop skills for collaborative teaching across institutions.

The programme combined an online introductory module, a five-day on-site week at KTH Stockholm and a final online presentation. Metacampus served as the central platform, providing secure, institution-based access to materials, assignments, and communication spaces for all participants.

Another success story is the 21 Day Challenge, a self-paced online course designed to raise awareness about inclusion, diversity, equity, and accessibility (IDEA). Hosted on Metacampus, it offered daily learning units with videos, texts, reflection prompts, and interactive exercises.

After a successful pilot in 2023, the course was relaunched in 2024 with new topics such as burnout and indigenous rights, and enhanced accessibility through a dedicated toolkit. Participants who completed all required activities earned an IDEA open badge as recognition. The feedback showed high satisfaction with both, the structure and the platform, underlining Metacampus’s role in fostering engaging, inclusive, and impactful learning experiences.

Metacampus connects the Unite! community through digital teaching and learning — making collaboration across campuses not only possible, but accessible, inclusive, and effective.

Get inspired and get started

Curious to discover more examples of how Unite! educators are using the Unite! digital tools to bring international teaching to life?

 

Explore the Unite! Digital Teaching and Learning Success Story Report Series

If you’re new to the platform, the course How to use Metacampus offers a hands-on introduction to getting started.

For further support and exchange, join the monthly Metacampus Meet & Greet – dates and details can be found directly in the course.