EU-CONEXUS ambition
The European University for Smart Urban Coastal Sustainability (EU‐CONEXUS) is a transnational European higher education and research alliance addressing global and local challenges by tackling coastal environmental, technical, economic and societal needs (SmUCS challenges). EU-CONEXUS is a fully-fledged university. It offers education, training, study programmes, performs research and links with socio-economic actors for supporting innovation. To find more information, please visit the EU-CONEXUS Website. The EU-CONEXUS community brings together researchers, teachers and students from the different partner institutions and aims to foster internal collaboration between them by offering Seed Funding.
Objectives of the seed funding
The Seed Funding aims to strengthen collaboration among EU-CONEXUS partners in education, research, and innovation on SmUCS challenges. It supports small-scale collaborative projects focused on Smart Urban Coastal Sustainability (SmUCS), with funding available for research and academic teams from partner universities. Projects can focus on activities across education, research and innovation.
Smart Urban Coastal Sustainability (SmUCS) means for EU-CONEXUS to focus its education, research & innovation, and knowledge-sharing activities on defining, understanding and addressing societal challenges that are experienced by communities from urban and semi-urbanised coastal regions (rivers, seas and oceans).
Expected outcomes of the projects must be tangible: possibility to work together on a bigger project, joint research, joint presentation in a conference, preparation of a joint publication, joint study programme, enhanced education related activities addressing the societal challenges, etc.
Watch the webinar about the last call of the Seed Funding
Join us for the Seed Funding Webinar 2025, where we will explore opportunities for innovative projects through EU-CONEXUS’s Seed Funding program. During the session, we will explain the objectives, eligibility criteria, application process, and funding details.
Eligibility criteria
Eligible beneficiaries are the nine EU-CONEXUS partner universities. Other organisations can participate but do not receive any funding.
A seed funding project proposal must be submitted.
The project proposal subject must address one or several challenges in the field of Smart Urban Coastal Sustainability (SmUCS).
At least 2 researchers or academics from 2 different EU-CONEXUS partner universities must be involved in the project (other organisations cannot be part of this core group).
Groups of researchers, academics, project holders who already received support from any of the previous Seed Funding calls will not be eligible a second time, with the same partnership
The same project idea won’t be financed through Seed Funding twice.
Education related and/or impacting activities must be clearly visible and stressed in the proposal. Projects that do not include an education component will be rejected
Duration of the Seed funding project: up to maximum 12 months (strict deadline for expenses eligibility will be 31 October 2026)
Evaluation criteria
The proposal will be assessed with regards to 3 main criteria:
EXCELLENCE
Relevance of the project with regards to the societal challenge of Smart Urban Coastal Sustainability, Education, research or innovation contribution of the proposed project, Appropriateness,
completeness and clarity of the methodology.
IMPACT
Impact of proposed activities and results, in particular for students and EU-CONEXUS at large, expected outcomes
QUALITY & EFFICIENCY OF IMPLEMENTATION
Work plan, Organisation, Budget coherence with regards to project ambition, Deliverables.
Proposals involving more, rather than less, EU-CONEXUS partner universities will be prioritized.
Funding criteria
- Eligible costs are: conference fees, publication fees, travels, etc. (personnel costs, equipment and consumables or services related to research are not eligible). A detailed budget must be provided.
- The funding is maximum €4400 (VAT included) per project.
- Co-funding is allowed and encouraged whether it comes from the partners’own funds or from public or private funds.
- The expenses related to each project are paid for directly out of the central EU-CONEXUS budget.
- For this last round of the call, there is funding available for approximately 5 small-scale projects.
Maximum funding 4400€
Selection rules
A two-step-evaluation will take place:
In a first step the Project Development Support Office will assess the conformity of the application to this call and its technical eligibility.
In a second step, the applications will be evaluated by a rotating committee composed of 3 representatives from 3 partner universities (evaluators are designated by the members of EU-CONEXUS Plus Work Package 10, in charge of setting up the Project Development Support Office). For this round of the call, the committee members will come from Frederick University, La Rochelle Université and University of Rostock. In addition, the vice-chairs of Academic and Research Councils will participate in the evaluation.
A ranking of the projects will be provided by the committee and approximately 5 proposals will be selected for funding based on the ranking.
Applicants will be notified one month after the cut-off date at the latest.
The projects selected will be presented to the Research or Academic Councils depending on the field covered by the projects.
A report will be submitted at the end of each project according to the format provided.
Application
The project leader has to send the completed application form (Annex 1) to the following email address: projects@eu-conexus.eu
This call is open until :
- Call closed on August 29th COB, 2025
The Project Development Support Office
The PDSO is in charge of managing the Seed Funding. For any question you can contact the team of project officers at the following address: projects@eu-conexus.eu.
The Project Development Support Office missions are to:
- Manage the Seed Funding
- Work in order to increase mobilisation of EU-CONEXUS community in developing common projects either internally or in response to external calls for proposals It offers training, information sessions to the community and facilitates collaboration of project development support structures through knowledge and expertise sharing.
Seed funding 4th call (2025)
| Seed Funding Project Name | Email of lead applicant | About |
|---|---|---|
| CoastUHPFRC (Advancing Student-Centered Research on UHPFRC for Sustainable Coastal Infrastructure Rehabilitation) | Coast-UHPFRC is a targeted education and research initiative led by the Technical University of Civil Engineering Bucharest (UTCB), in collaboration with the University of Rostock (UROS). It aims to develop and promote sustainable rehabilitation strategies for aging coastal infrastructure using Ultra-High-Performance Fiber-Reinforced Concrete (UHPFRC), while engaging students in collaborative international learning focused on real-life engineering challenges. The project addresses the pressing challenge of premature deterioration in aging coastal infrastructure. Coastal concrete structures are increasingly vulnerable to aggressive environmental conditions such as carbonation, chloride ingress, and sulphate attack, which lead to spalling of concrete, corrosion of reinforcement, and ultimately progressive structural degradation. In addition to gradual deterioration, critical infrastructure can also be damaged by rare extreme events such as impact loading and earthquakes, as well as by severe events linked to climate change. This not only results in costly and frequent maintenance but also contributes to significant environmental impacts and resource-intensive interventions. Therefore, there is a growing need for durable, efficient, and sustainable rehabilitation solutions for existing infrastructure. To rehabilitate these structures, the project focuses on UHPFRC—an advanced material with exceptional mechanical properties, low permeability, and high durability. Importantly, the project is not limited to the use of steel fibers; it also investigates non-corrosive, non-metallic fibers and fiber synergy, aiming to optimize mechanical performance, durability, and resilience in aggressive coastal environments. UHPFRC enables both durability enhancement and structural strengthening, making it a promising solution for the sustainable rehabilitation and retrofit of coastal infrastructure. | |
| EDU-LESS-AB (EDUcation in early diagnosis to use LESS AntiBiotics) UCV, AUA | The EDU-LESS AB project seeks to address this challenge by embedding early diagnosis into educational practice. Students and young researchers will be trained in field-applicable diagnostic tools, such as clinical examination, thoracic ultrasonography (for lentiviral infections, ovine pulmonary adenomatosis, and the respiratory complex), thermography, the California Mastitis Test, and portable somatic cell counters. Early detection not only reduces the need for prolonged or repeated antibiotic treatments but also opens the door to alternative therapeutic strategies (for example, management changes or supportive care) that are more sustainable. Students will play a fundamental role as both learners and active contributors: participating in hands-on sessions, engaging in herd-level evaluations, and collaborating across EU-CONEXUS universities. By involving them directly, the project enhances their technical skills, cultivates awareness of responsible antimicrobial use, and empowers them as future professionals capable of addressing One Health challenges. The initiative also reinforces inter-university cooperation, promoting staff and student exchange, and ensuring that educational outcomes translate into long-term environmental and societal benefits. | |
| NATURE (Living Lab: Networks for Applied Teaching, Understanding, Research & Engagement in a Living Lab) SETU, LR UNIV | This project will be a pilot-scale demonstration of how Living Labs can help address Smart Urban Coastal Sustainability (SmUCS) challenges through integrated field-to-lab molecular biology, with a focus on biodiversity loss, invasive species, vector-borne and notifiable diseases, and sustainability education. The pilot aims to promote knowledge-sharing and advance education and research towards a holistic understanding of ecosystem health, through (i) noninvasive wildlife monitoring, and (ii) assessment of microbial threats at the animal-environment interface. The objectives are: • Conduct a SWOT analysis on SETU’s Living Lab habitats and infrastructure. • Design eDNA- and citizen science-friendly wildlife and microbial field survey strategies. • Conduct field surveys and DNA analyses. • Produce a student-engaged pilot workflow, from field to lab and dissemination, for SETU and EU-CONEXUS partners. • Develop an Operations Logic Table (OLT) for future large-scale collaborative funding bids. The outcome will be a transferable and scalable model to support a long-term, internationalized hub for student and stakeholder education within a wider One Health vision. | |
| P2P (Past to Plate: Living Heritage for Sustainable Future) UNIZD, SETU | The content of the project is rooted in the collective experience of the Great Famine, a phenomenon that severely affected Ireland and the Dalmatian coast, together with its hinterland, in the 19th century. The failure of potato crops in Ireland and agrarian crises in the sub-Biokovo and coastal Makarska region caused famine, migration, and chronic poverty. To survive, local communities developed sustainable strategies for land use and natural resource management, relying on transhumant pastoralism, seasonal agriculture, and environmental knowledge. This type of economy shaped a specific cultural landscape and rich traditional ecological knowledge, passed down through generations and based on experience, observation of nature, and collective labour. On the premise that local communities endured thanks to sustainable land use and natural resource management, the project draws the hypothesis that traditional practices, transferred into a contemporary educational framework through experiential learning, can be used to preserve heritage, traditional knowledge, and sustainable resource management, and serve as a model of resilience to future food and environmental challenges. Through a strong educational component and activities carried out via the Student Research Hub, Open Lab Hour, and Erasmus+ mobility programmes, the project integrates fieldwork, digital methods such as 3D modelling and GIS analysis, and a research-based approach into the teaching process. This combination of practical work, digitalization, and research creates a modern educational platform that enhances students’ competences, encourages innovative approaches to heritage preservation, and enables knowledge transfer while strengthening international collaboration within the EU-CONEXUS network and towards the target user groups. The project directly benefits the local community through a public culinary and cultural event, an educational booklet of traditional recipes, and a digital model of landscape transformation, transferring academic knowledge into everyday life and supporting sustainable development. Project webpage: https://pum.unizd.hr/znanstveno-istrazivacka-djelatnost/projekti/past-to-plate | |
| DELPHI – (Data–Ecology Learning Partnership for Holistic Integration) UROS, LR UNIV | DELPHI – Data-Ecology Learning Partnership for Holistic Integration is a bilateral student exchange project between the University of Rostock and La Rochelle Université. It connects two complementary fields, marine ecology and data science, to promote interdisciplinary learning through hands-on collaboration. One PhD student from each institution will spend two weeks at the partner university, present their research, and work together on a small case study using marine mammal data. The goal is to combine ecological insight with data-driven analysis and to give both students a deeper understanding of the other discipline. Activities include seminars, lab work, and visits to external partners such as NGO AL LARK in France and the Ocean Technology Campus in Germany. These encounters will provide practical context and exposure to potential career paths in marine conservation and technology. The project will result in a joint poster or short paper for presentation at a relevant scientific conference, along with a short outreach video or article to share the experience. DELPHI encourages knowledge exchange, international cooperation, and interdisciplinary thinking in the context of coastal sustainabilit |
Seed funding 3rd call (2025)
| Seed Funding Project Name | Email of lead applicant | About |
|---|---|---|
| ESTEEM (Enhancing SmUCS Through gender Equality in acadEMia) FredU, SETU | The main objective of ESTEEM is to leverage gender equality as a catalyst for innovation, sustainability, and resilience in addressing the intricate challenges of Smart Urban Coastal Sustainability (SmUCS). The project involves collaboration between South East Technological University (SETU, Ireland) and Frederick University (FredU, Cyprus) to transfer and apply best practices in gender equality. The goal is to empower a fairer teaching environment, inclusive research, and policies, particularly within the faculties of Engineering and Maritime. Academics and gender experts from STEM fields will lead tailored training and awareness efforts. The project includes study visits between the two universities over 12 months to exchange expertise, knowledge, and best practices. Ultimately, ESTEEM aims to set the stage for a future where gender equality is a driving force behind sustainable, resilient coastal communities. | |
| AppliedBio (Capacity Building and Knowledge Transfer in Antimicrobial Smart Materials) SETU, UCV | The overall goal of the AppliedBio project is capacity building and knowledge transfer in antimicrobial smart materials for PhD students and researchers. This involves developing translational research focusing on marine-derived antimicrobial agents, particularly from sustainable marine sources like seaweed and shellfish waste shells, as alternatives to traditional antibiotics. The work addresses two societal challenges: antimicrobial resistance (AMR) the circular bio-economy. The project will facilitate two student exchanges: a SETU student will travel to the Catholic University of Valencia (UCV) to upskill in anti-viral and anti-fungal testing, which is currently not carried out at SETU. Subsequently, a UCV student will travel to SETU to upskill in the physiochemical characterization of these smart materials, which is crucial for product commercialization. The project aligns with EU-CONEXUS goals on ONE HEALTH and sustainable coastal waste management. | |
| SmarTanzania Consortium (Starting a cooperation grounded on SmUCS) UCV, KU, SETU, St John’s University of Tanzania SJUT, St. Augustine University of Tanzania SAUT, Ruaha C.atholic University RUCU | The main objective of the SmarTanzania project is the consolidation of the Consortium relations for future cooperation, specifically aiming for an Erasmus+, Key Action 2 (CBHE) project focusing on Capacity Building in Higher Education,. The consortium includes three EU-CONEXUS universities (UCV, Klaipeda University, and SETU) and three universities from Tanzania, along with one Professional Association. The seed funding goal is to cooperatively develop the six handbooks to be developed within the project constitute key instruments not only for the coordination of the consortium but also for subsequent execution and successful implementation of the future Capacity Building. In addition, they play a strategic and operational role strengthen the consortium synergy and creating a strong commitment between the team. The six handbooks are : Management Handbook, Internal communication Handbook, Risk Management Handbook, Ethical and Gender Handbook, Quality Assessment Handbook and Dissemination Handbook. The development of these six handbooks, conceived as a cornerstone of the future SmarTanzania Campus, is also alignment with EU-CONEXUS values, and have potential contribution to addressing Smart Urban Coastal Sustainability (SmUCS) challenges. | |
| IRUCE (Impact of religious and spiritual practices on urban coastal environments) UNIZD, SETU, UCV | The core objective of the IRUCE proposal is to develop a joint interdisciplinary teaching module titled “Religious and Spiritual Practices in Urban Coastal Environments,” intended as a pilot contribution to the Smart Urban Coastal Sustainability (SmUCS) agenda of EU-CONEXUS. The project will explore how historical and contemporary religious, spiritual, and pilgrimage practices interact with urban coastal spaces, influencing environmental, socio-cultural, and mental wellbeing. The initiative involves three international workshops hosted at the partner institutions (University of Zadar, SETU, and UCV) to connect academic teams and co-design the module. This collaboration aims to introduce a novel humanistic and interdisciplinary perspective into the EU-CONEXUS ecosystem, reframing sustainability to include spiritual, religious and cultural dimensions. | |
| SPLICE (State of Personalized Learning in the AI-Centered Era) LR UNIV, FredU, UCV | The primary objective of the SPLICE project is to assess the current state of Personalized Learning (PL) and the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) across EU-CONEXUS universities. This requires analyzing current practices, institutional challenges, and technological readiness within partner universities. Based on the collected data, the project will develop a generalized and adaptable framework for Personalized Learning and disseminate the findings through a collaborative workshop. The framework is designed to provide universities with actionable insights for enhancing their PL strategies and laying the foundation for future educational innovations, potentially incorporating AI-driven strategies. The project follows a structured three-phase methodology: assessment, framework development, and workshop/dissemination, to ensure tangible outcomes within 12 months. | |
| Forum for Probabilistic Life-Cycle Resilience Approaches for Coastal Infrastructure Sustainability UROS, LR UNIV, FredU, SETU | The primary objective is to leverage the International Probabilistic Workshop (IPW 2025) as a collaborative forum among EU-CONEXUS partners to advance the application of probabilistic methods to coastal sustainability challenges. The project aims to integrate expertise from engineering, environmental sciences, data analytics, and policymaking to foster data-driven solutions that enhance coastal resilience, safety, and sustainability. By facilitating in-depth discussions and networking, the initiative seeks to identify long-term research opportunities and develop data-driven approaches to mitigate risks associated with climate change, rising sea levels, and coastal urbanization. A key outcome is the establishment of a dedicated collaborative forum and research network core to secure long-term interdisciplinary research partnerships. |
Seed funding 2nd call (2025)
| Seed Funding Project Name | Email of lead applicant | About |
|---|---|---|
| ODIM: Oral delivery of biological active molecules by microparticles in molluscs UCV, AUA, UNIZD | Name of the Researcher/Academic: – Pablo José Sanchis Benlloch. Partner University: – Catholic University of Valencia (Spain) Research Unit / Department: – IMEDMAR-UCV | Mollusk aquaculture is a vital component of the EU’s urban coastal economy, offering a sustainable source of protein with a significantly lower carbon footprint. Promoting sustainable aquaculture is a key priority of the EU’s Common Fisheries Policy and an integral part of the Blue Economy strategy. Additionally, aquaculture plays a critical role in conserving biodiversity by supporting the breeding of aquatic species at risk of extinction. The ODIM project (Oral Delivery of Biologically Active Molecules by Microparticles in Mollusks) focuses on developing innovative methods to optimize the delivery of biologically active molecules to enhance mollusk aquaculture. These advancements could help improve reproduction control, induce spawning, or manage disease. Core activities include synthesizing microparticles loaded with bioactive compounds and biomarkers, testing their effectiveness in scallops, and reducing the need for invasive techniques in administering these compounds. This initiative directly supports SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) by promoting sustainable aquaculture practices and SDG 14 (Life Below Water) by contributing to the conservation and sustainable management of marine biodiversity. |
| CEBSF: Cell extracts of BSF for the synthesis in vitro of proteins of biotechnological interest UCV, SETU | Name of the Researcher/Academic: – Isaias Salvador Sanmartin Santos Partner University: – Catholic University of Valencia Research Unit / Department: – Faculty of Veterinary and Experimental Sciences | Mass tourism generates a large amount of polluting organic waste in small coastal towns, which has multiple negative effects on the local environment and on the quality of life of the residents. These towns often do not have adequate infrastructure to cope with the enormous amount of waste generated by tourism. This situation causes waste to accumulate on beaches and areas near the water, causing serious contamination of the landscape and negatively affecting the natural beauty and recreational experience for both visitors and local residents. The larvae of the black soldier fly (Hermetia illucens), a member of the Stratiomyidae family, are known for their ability to decompose a wide variety of organic matter, including food waste. The project aims to promote the use of technology based on the black soldier fly to transform organic waste, such as food waste generated by coastal tourism, on an industrial scale. In particular, it proposes to develop an innovative application of high economic value: the use of cell extracts obtained from black soldier fly pupae for the large-scale synthesis of proteins of interest in biotechnology. The main activities include obtaining cell extracts from pupae or larvae, the in vitro synthesis of proteins using these extracts, and the development of scalable biotechnological applications to promote their industrial implementation. This project addresses SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities) by tackling organic waste challenges and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) through circular economy practices. |
| TMAO- Brain and Behavior Study UCV, LR UNIV | Name of the Researcher/Academic: – Ana Perez-Villalba Partner University: – UCV (Catholic University of Valencia) Research Unit / Department: – Laboratory of Animal Behavior Phenotype (LABP). Department of Psychobiology. | Daily and abundant intake of animal source food (ASF) leads us to overexploitation of livestock and fish farming beside negative consequences on our health and well-being. Our proposal is framed inside the SmUCS challenges and tackles the enormous environmental and social effect of diets that promote abusive profiteering of natural resources. The project Examines the effects of trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), a byproduct of high animal-source food diets, on brain inflammation and social behaviors in mice. Activities include dietary trials, behavioral tests, and advanced video analysis using deep learning to assess social and neurological impacts. This project supports SDG 3 (Good Health and Well-being) by promoting dietary awareness and SDG 12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) by encouraging sustainable eating practices. |
Winning Projects – Seed funding 1st call (April 2024)
| Seed Funding Project Name | Application Project Description |
|---|---|
| Active Travel Collaboration for Sustainable Campuses (ACT4SusCamp) SETU, UTCB | Low levels of active travel (walking and cycling) to SETU and UTCB underscore the need for a shift from car-dependent commuting to more sustainable modes of transportation. This transition is vital for meeting climate action targets and promoting physical activity. Currently, the majority of students rely on private cars, posing environmental challenges. This project aims first to gather data on students’ travel patterns and barriers to walking and cycling to SETU, and then to facilitate engagement between students in the two universities, and between students and their local authority engineers/planners to discuss this and plan appropriate actions. This will allow the student voice to be heard regarding transport needs and barriers, give students and opportunity to interact with those form another EU-Conexus university, and provide a model for how consultation regarding active travel behaviour can be carried out in future. |
| Implementation of cold ironing in a competitive electricity market (EMiRON). FREDU, UTCB | The project aims to assess various scenarios for implementing cold ironing at the port of Limassol, focusing on an efficient electricity market model. Cyprus, with its abundant renewable energy potential, faces challenges in sustaining its isolated power system. The reliance on conventional generation for stability poses environmental concerns. Electrifying the port using renewable energy sources (RES) promises cleaner air and aligns with EU directives. The project aims to propose an electricity market model for cold ironing, considering Cyprus’ evolving energy market. Scenarios include contracts with suppliers, autonomous RES systems, or participation in the competitive electricity market. Key tasks include determining energy needs, assessing infrastructure, and engaging stakeholders for information exchange. |
| Developing a Liquids Analysis Technique by Laser-Induced Breakdown Spectroscopy (LIBS) for Applications of Environmental Monitoring & Smart Urban Coastal Sustainability. SETU, AUA, University Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia (UTHM) | In recent years, global environmental pollution has become a significantly more challenging, emphasising the critical need for efficient environmental monitoring. Regular assessment of heavy metal concentrations, including copper, zinc, iron, and manganese, is vital in aquaculture, particularly for polluted water sources. Continuous monitoring and prompt corrective actions are key to successful water quality management. Leveraging automated sensor systems and laser-induced breakdown spectroscopy (LIBS) offers rapid, real-time detection of multiple elements, making it invaluable for environmental analysis. This project aims to enhance LIBS technology for water analysis, addressing environmental pollution concerns in Smart Urban Coastal Sustainability. |
| Coffee Grounds used for Land Treatment, Insulation, and Versatile Agricultural Enhancement (CULTIV8): UTCB, AUA, UROS | The CULTIV8 project represents an interdisciplinary approach, merging resource sustainability, waste reduction, and material recycling. It focuses on two core objectives: developing eco-friendly insulation from spent coffee grounds for buildings and reusing wastewater from grounds treatment as nutrient solution for plants. The study aims to establish protocols for washing grounds, identifying suitable crops, optimizing drying methods, and assessing insulation properties. By redefining construction practices and promoting resource conservation in a circular economy framework, CULTIV8 aims to make significant contribution in environmental preservation and agricultural advancement. |
View previous webinars
*The Project Development Support Office is in charge of managing the Seed Funding. For any question you can contact the team of project officers at the following address: projects@eu-conexus.eu
This activity is organised under the EU-funded Project EU-CONEXUS Plus (Project number 101089709) titled : “A significant step forward for the European University for Smart Urban Coastal Sustainability” .
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them.
