When people think "European scholarship," the conversation almost immediately goes to Chevening, Erasmus+, DAAD, or the Fulbright. Those are the big names. They're competitive, oversubscribed, and talked about endlessly in every scholarship group on the internet.
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But here's what nobody tells you:
Europe is full of smaller, lesser-known funding programmes that have real money on the table, significantly lower application numbers, and eligible nationalities that span the entire globe. Some of these programmes have been running for decades. Others are relatively new and still building their applicant pool.
The Coimbra Group is one of the best examples of this. And it's not the only one.
This post is your introduction to the hidden side of European academic funding — the grants, fellowships, and scholarship programmes that most people scroll past because they don't recognise the name.
Let's Start With the Coimbra Group: Europe's Best-Kept Academic Secret
If you've never heard of the Coimbra Group, you're not alone. Most people outside academic circles haven't. But in European higher education circles, it's very well known — and has been since 1986.
Here's the quick history: in 1985, the International Relations Office at Université catholique de Louvain was celebrating its 20th anniversary and had an inspired idea — invite other universities to come together, collaborate, and think big. From that initial meeting, a network of like-minded institutions was born — one that would grow and thrive over the next four decades. A subsequent meeting was held in Coimbra on 29–30 May 1986, and it was decided to name the cooperation network after its host university.
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Today, the Coimbra Group is a network of prestigious, long-established European research universities — institutions like the University of Barcelona, the University of Bologna, the University of Salamanca, the University of Padua, the University of Edinburgh, Uppsala University, and more. These aren't obscure institutions. They're among the oldest and most respected universities in the world.
And every year, they pool resources to fund short-term research visits for young academics from outside Europe.
For 2026, the programme offers 74 fully supported scholarships, enabling selected candidates to undertake short-term research visits at one of 21 top European universities that are members of the Coimbra Group.
Three Scholarship Tracks: Which One Is for You?
The Coimbra Group runs three distinct scholarship programmes, each targeting a different region of the world. Here's how they break down:
Track 1: Sub-Saharan Africa Programme
The Coimbra Group has been providing, since 2008, young researchers from universities in Sub-Saharan Africa with the opportunity to spend a short period — generally 1 to 3 months — at a Coimbra Group University to carry out part of their research there.
Eligible countries include all African countries except Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, and Tunisia — applicants from these countries are eligible under the Scholarship Programme for Early-Career Researchers from the European Neighbourhood.
There's a specific detail worth noting here that most scholarship articles don't mention: female candidates get priority — and that's not a footnote, it's stated upfront in the programme documentation. If you're a woman in academia from Sub-Saharan Africa, this programme is actively designed to prioritise your application.
Track 2: Latin American Universities Programme
The Coimbra Group Scholarship Programme for Young Professors and Researchers from Latin American Universities was launched for the first time in January 2004. It has been running for over two decades and covers all Latin American countries — no exceptions.
The main aim of this scholarship programme is to enable scholars to undertake research in which they are engaged in their home institution and to help them to establish academic and research contacts.
Track 3: European Neighbourhood Programme
Eligible countries for the European Neighbourhood track include Albania, Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Egypt, Georgia, Israel, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Libya, Moldova, Montenegro, Morocco, North Macedonia, Palestine, Russia, Serbia, Syria, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan.
This track matters especially for researchers from the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia — regions that are often underserved by European funding programmes.
What the Coimbra Group Scholarship Actually Covers
Let's be practical, because the funding structure varies by host university — and this is the part that confuses a lot of applicants.
The amount available is €1,500 per month to cover accommodation and living expenses. However, note that individual universities have slightly different arrangements. Some cover travel costs; others don't. Some provide free accommodation in university guest residences on top of the monthly grant; others fold it into the €1,500.
For example, at the University of Pavia, costs covered include economy class return flight, health insurance policy, accommodation in a single room at a university student residence, and a free canteen card for meals. That's essentially an all-expenses-covered visit.
At the University of Iași, the offer includes free accommodation in a university guest residence, a scholarship of 1,500 RON (approximately €300), and reimbursement of travel expenses depending on the distance — ranging from up to €28 for distances under 100km, all the way to €1,735 for distances over 8,000km.
The Coimbra Group is one of the best examples of this. And it's not the only one.
This post is your introduction to the hidden side of European academic funding — the grants, fellowships, and scholarship programmes that most people scroll past because they don't recognise the name.
Let's Start With the Coimbra Group: Europe's Best-Kept Academic Secret
If you've never heard of the Coimbra Group, you're not alone. Most people outside academic circles haven't. But in European higher education circles, it's very well known — and has been since 1986.
Here's the quick history: in 1985, the International Relations Office at Université catholique de Louvain was celebrating its 20th anniversary and had an inspired idea — invite other universities to come together, collaborate, and think big. From that initial meeting, a network of like-minded institutions was born — one that would grow and thrive over the next four decades. A subsequent meeting was held in Coimbra on 29–30 May 1986, and it was decided to name the cooperation network after its host university.
CHECK OUT: How to Secure a Czech Republic Professional Visa with Just a Degree
Today, the Coimbra Group is a network of prestigious, long-established European research universities — institutions like the University of Barcelona, the University of Bologna, the University of Salamanca, the University of Padua, the University of Edinburgh, Uppsala University, and more. These aren't obscure institutions. They're among the oldest and most respected universities in the world.
And every year, they pool resources to fund short-term research visits for young academics from outside Europe.
For 2026, the programme offers 74 fully supported scholarships, enabling selected candidates to undertake short-term research visits at one of 21 top European universities that are members of the Coimbra Group.
Three Scholarship Tracks: Which One Is for You?
The Coimbra Group runs three distinct scholarship programmes, each targeting a different region of the world. Here's how they break down:
Track 1: Sub-Saharan Africa Programme
The Coimbra Group has been providing, since 2008, young researchers from universities in Sub-Saharan Africa with the opportunity to spend a short period — generally 1 to 3 months — at a Coimbra Group University to carry out part of their research there.
Eligible countries include all African countries except Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, and Tunisia — applicants from these countries are eligible under the Scholarship Programme for Early-Career Researchers from the European Neighbourhood.
There's a specific detail worth noting here that most scholarship articles don't mention: female candidates get priority — and that's not a footnote, it's stated upfront in the programme documentation. If you're a woman in academia from Sub-Saharan Africa, this programme is actively designed to prioritise your application.
Track 2: Latin American Universities Programme
The Coimbra Group Scholarship Programme for Young Professors and Researchers from Latin American Universities was launched for the first time in January 2004. It has been running for over two decades and covers all Latin American countries — no exceptions.
The main aim of this scholarship programme is to enable scholars to undertake research in which they are engaged in their home institution and to help them to establish academic and research contacts.
Track 3: European Neighbourhood Programme
Eligible countries for the European Neighbourhood track include Albania, Algeria, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Belarus, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Egypt, Georgia, Israel, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Libya, Moldova, Montenegro, Morocco, North Macedonia, Palestine, Russia, Serbia, Syria, Tajikistan, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan.
This track matters especially for researchers from the Middle East, North Africa, and Central Asia — regions that are often underserved by European funding programmes.
What the Coimbra Group Scholarship Actually Covers
Let's be practical, because the funding structure varies by host university — and this is the part that confuses a lot of applicants.
The amount available is €1,500 per month to cover accommodation and living expenses. However, note that individual universities have slightly different arrangements. Some cover travel costs; others don't. Some provide free accommodation in university guest residences on top of the monthly grant; others fold it into the €1,500.
For example, at the University of Pavia, costs covered include economy class return flight, health insurance policy, accommodation in a single room at a university student residence, and a free canteen card for meals. That's essentially an all-expenses-covered visit.
At the University of Iași, the offer includes free accommodation in a university guest residence, a scholarship of 1,500 RON (approximately €300), and reimbursement of travel expenses depending on the distance — ranging from up to €28 for distances under 100km, all the way to €1,735 for distances over 8,000km.
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The takeaway: don't just look at the programme as a whole — look at what each individual university is offering. The details vary significantly, and choosing the right host institution can mean the difference between a comfortable visit and a financially stretched one.
The One Thing That Trips Everyone Up: The Supervisor Letter
Here's the part that most applicants don't find out until they're halfway through filling in the application form — and then panic.
All applicants are required to provide a letter or email of acceptance written by an academic supervisor from the host university where they would like to carry out their proposed work plan. The letter should state that the supervisor is willing to work with the applicant in case they obtain a Coimbra Group Scholarship.
You cannot submit your application without this letter. And — applicants must contact a University of Padua supervisor before applying and include the supervisor's invitation letter or email in their application. Emails to potential supervisors should include the applicant's CV, research proposal (topics and proposed dates), and preferably a reference letter from their home university.
This applies across most host universities, not just Padua. The process of finding and securing a supervisor is your responsibility. The Coimbra Group Office cannot help you find one.
So before you do anything else — before you write your research proposal, before you start filling in the form — find your supervisor. Browse the departments and research groups of your chosen Coimbra Group university, identify a professor whose work aligns with yours, and reach out with a well-crafted email introducing yourself, your research, and your interest in the programme.
A good email to a potential supervisor should include:
- A brief introduction of who you are and your current institution
- A clear, concise description of your research project
- Why their specific expertise is relevant to your work
- A request for their letter of acceptance if they're willing to host you
Other Rules You Must Know Before Applying
Applicants can select only one institution. Multiple applications from the same candidate will be rejected. Incomplete applications will also be rejected — no exceptions.
Applicants must be nationals of and currently resident in an eligible country. Candidates already living and/or studying in Europe will not be considered.
The scholarship is reserved for researchers in the early stages of their career — preferably doctoral students, postdoctoral or junior researchers. For the Sub-Saharan Africa track, applicants must be born on or after 1 January 1981 and be an academic staff member of a university or equivalent higher education institution in Sub-Saharan Africa.
The application period usually runs from January to April. For the 2026/2027 cohort, the European Neighbourhood deadline is 10 May 2026 — so there's still a window open right now.
Beyond the Coimbra Group: Other Small European Grants Worth Knowing
The Coimbra Group gets the spotlight in this post because it's genuinely underrated — but it's not alone. Here are five other European funding programmes that fly under the radar for most international applicants:
1. Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Postdoctoral Fellowships
If you have a PhD, this is one of the most important funding programmes in the world — and most people outside Europe have never heard of it.
The 2026 call for the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Postdoctoral Fellowships opened on 9 April 2026, with a budget of €399.05 million. The grants target researchers holding a PhD and aim to help them acquire new skills, develop their careers, and gain international, interdisciplinary, and inter-sectoral experience by working in another country.
The call will close on 9 September 2026 and is expected to fund nearly 1,600 projects. The call is open to applications in any scientific field.
MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships are open to excellent researchers of any nationality. The scheme also encourages researchers to work on research and innovation projects in the non-academic sector and is open to researchers wishing to reintegrate in Europe, to those displaced by conflict, as well as to researchers with high potential who are seeking to restart their careers in research.
The funding package is comprehensive. It is fully funded and covers a competitive monthly salary aligned with EU research standards, as well as mobility and research costs. An added advantage is the optional six-month placement in a non-academic organisation, enabling fellows to gain industry or policy experience.
This one is competitive. But with nearly 1,600 projects expected to be funded, it's not as impossible as it sounds. The key is a strong research proposal and a well-matched host institution. The deadline is 9 September 2026 — you have time to prepare properly.
2. European Forum Alpbach Scholarship Programme
This one is almost entirely off the radar outside of European policy circles — which is exactly why it's worth mentioning.
The European Forum Alpbach Scholarship Programme 2026 is a highly competitive, fully funded opportunity for students, young professionals, and emerging leaders from around the world to participate in one of Europe's most unique interdisciplinary gatherings. Approximately 350 scholarships are awarded annually by the European Forum Alpbach and the Forum Alpbach Network.
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Scholarship holders are at the heart of the Forum and are the only participants who remain for the full duration of the two-week event.
This is not a research scholarship. It's a leadership and policy forum. But for young professionals interested in European policy, international relations, climate, technology, or governance — it's the kind of programme that can genuinely reshape your network and your career trajectory.
3. Erasmus+ (The Programme Most People Misunderstand)
Everyone has heard of Erasmus+. Very few people understand its full scope.
The European Commission has officially launched the Erasmus+ Call for Proposals 2026 under the Erasmus+ Programme 2021–2027. With a total estimated budget of €4.47 billion, the 2026 call supports education, training, youth, and sport initiatives through learning mobility, cooperation partnerships, innovation, and more.
Most people think Erasmus+ is only for European students doing exchange semesters. That's not true. Erasmus+ funds organisations, institutions, and projects — not just individuals. If you work at a university, an NGO, a youth organisation, or an education institution in a partner country, there may be funding available to your organisation that you can benefit from directly.
It's worth looking at the full programme guide, not just the student exchange component.
4. EURAMET Researcher Mobility Grants
This one is genuinely obscure — and that's its advantage.
EURAMET coordinates the cooperation between European National Metrology Institutes and is responsible for the European Metrology Programme for Innovation and Research (EMPIR). EMPIR offers Researcher Mobility Grants, which provide financial support for a researcher at any stage of their career.
If you work in metrology, measurement science, or any field where precision measurement matters — this is a grant very few people apply for, which means your odds are significantly better than in open competitions.
5. European Research Council (ERC) Starting Grants
The ERC is known for big-ticket grants to established researchers. What's less known is the Starting Grant track, which is specifically designed for early-career scientists.
The ERC offers several types of grants, from Starting Grants for early career scientists, to Consolidator, Advanced or Proof of Concept Grants for more experienced researchers.
ERC Starting Grants can provide up to €1.5 million over five years for researchers who are 2–7 years post-PhD. The competition is fierce, but for researchers with a strong track record and a compelling project, this can be genuinely life-changing funding.
The Mindset Shift That Changes Everything
Here's what I want you to take from all of this.
- Most scholarship hunters focus on the same five or six programmes that everyone else is applying to. The result? Thousands of applications competing for hundreds of spots. The competition is real and fierce.
- But the European funding landscape is enormous. There are university-specific scholarships, network-based programmes like the Coimbra Group, discipline-specific grants, regional funding streams, and government-to-government bilateral programmes — many of which receive a fraction of the applications they could.
- The people who consistently win funding are not always the most qualified. They're the most informed. They know about programmes that others don't. They apply early, they research thoroughly, and they understand that the supervisor letter, the research proposal, and the institutional match matter more than the size of the name on the letterhead.
- Start with the Coimbra Group. Understand its structure. Find your track. Identify your host university. Email a supervisor today — seriously, today — if the deadline is still open.
- Then go wider. Look at MSCA. Look at Alpbach. Look at the ERC Starting Grants if you're post-PhD. Look at bilateral agreements between your country and European nations. Look at the specific research universities in your field and find out if they have their own international mobility funding that doesn't get advertised beyond their own website.
Quick Reference: Key Programmes at a Glance
Programme Who It's For What's Covered Deadline (2026) Coimbra Group – Sub-Saharan Africa Early-career African researchers €1,500/month + varies by university Check individual universities Coimbra Group – Latin America Early-career Latin American researchers €1,500/month + varies by university Check individual universities Coimbra Group – European Neighbourhood Researchers from 27 eligible countries €1,500/month + varies by university 10 May 2026 MSCA Postdoctoral Fellowships PhD holders of any nationality Salary + mobility + research costs 9 September 2026 European Forum Alpbach Students & young professionals globally Fully funded 2-week programme Varies annually Erasmus+ Institutions & individuals in partner countries Varies by action type Multiple rounds ERC Starting Grants Researchers 2–7 years post-PhD Up to €1.5M over 5 years Annual cycle
Key resources:
- Coimbra Group Scholarships: coimbra-group.eu/scholarships
- MSCA 2026 Fellowships: marie-sklodowska-curie-actions.ec.europa.eu
- Erasmus+ Programme Guide: erasmus-plus.ec.europa.eu
- EURAXESS (host institution search): euraxess.ec.europa.eu
- Scholarship Alerts/JOB UPDATES: To receive Scholarship/Available Job Alerts on WhatsApp, Click HERE
Now you know. Go apply.
Did you know about any of these programmes before reading this? Or are you currently in the process of applying for one? Drop a comment — I'd love to hear where in the world you're applying from and which programme caught your eye.
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