Recruitment cycle Cohort 2025

Beneficiary & submission

About SPECTRO SPecialised Education programmes in CybersecuriTy and Robotics (SPECTRO) delivers two double-degree master’s programmes (ISCED Level 7, 120 ECTS) in two key digital technology areas for the future of Europe: Cybersecurity: this master's programme is designed to give students a general overview of the role that cybersecurity plays in creating a safe and inclusive digital society. It also equips them with practical skills in ethical hacking, blockchain technologies, and quantum cryptography. Robotics: the master's programme is designed to approach autonomous systems from both a computer science and an electronic engineering perspective. It covers everything from the basics of autonomous systems to such specific skills as: Internet of Things (IoT), Machine learning, Artificial intelligence, and Robotics. The two specialised master’s programmes, also include a minor in Innovation and Entrepreneurship, are designed and delivered by a consortium consisting of 12 higher education institutions from 7 different countries, 2 innovative SMEs, 1 leading research centre in Information Systems and EIT Digital, a pan-European organisation with in-depth knowledge and experience in the digital skills domain. About the scholarships SPECTRO provides eligible students the financial support to take part to the education programmes and offers scholarship programmes to promote diversity in terms of gender, age, social and economic background. SPECTRO’s scholarships allow the greatest number to have access to high-quality education in digital areas and increase diversity among students and future digital experts. The students awarded a scholarship will be financially supported during their two years of studies in one of the double-degree in Masters’ programmes offered by SPECTRO. Types of scholarships available Three types of scholarships are available: scholarship of excellence, including a full tuition fee waivers and a monthly allowance, full tuition fee waivers, half tuition fee waivers. The monthly allowance will be weighted based on the country correction coefficient (CCCs) of the country where a student is studying. Thus, the monthly allowance provided to a student it can vary between the first and second year of studies. How to apply To apply to a SPECTRO scholarship, candidates must enrol into one of SPECTRO two master’s programmes. Enrolment is done via a single application portal. When enrolling to one of the two master’s programmes, applicants are given the opportunity to select 3 options as Entry University and 3 options as Exit University with order of priority. It gives students a wider choice: applicants who would not be accepted to their preferred education institution might still be accepted by another education institution. At the same time, as the capacity of each education institution is limited, the multiple-option offer ensures that a high number of applications is processed. To apply to the two SPECTRO Master’s programme, candidates are required to upload into the application portal the following documentation: Degree Certificate/Diploma in its original language and translated into English (If your university does not provide this service, the translation has to be done by an authorised translator and his/her credentials, signature and stamps must be visible in the translated document). In case of ongoing studies, a statement certifying that you are in the final year of your studies. The statement must be written by the degree administration office (or equivalent department) confirming that you are enrolled on the final year of your education and giving your expected completion date. Note: If applying to Aalto as entry, your bachelor degree must be completed by July 31, 2025. Official and stamped transcript of records in original language and translated into English. All courses taken must be included. Please scan the front and back of every document- all stamps and signatures must be fully visible. Proof of English proficiency. The requirement of English proficiency will vary depending on the higher education institution/country selected by the applicant. Please refer to EITD Master School website ‘Admissions’ tab for more information. Curriculum Vitae including details on your academic and professional career. A letter of motivation (maximum 3 pages) to prove the innovative potential of the applicant and their need for financial support. In this letter applicants will be required to discuss and/or propose an entrepreneurial idea and to explain their financial situation and need for financial support. Supporting documents regarding the applicant’s financial situation (e.g. credit report). An official ID, such as passport or National ID. The allocation of scholarships will be done at the end of the selection process and before sending the letter of acceptance. Eligibility requirements SPECTRO scholarships are available to nationals of one of the eligible countries: EU Member States (including overseas countries and territories (OCTs)) Listed EEA countries and countries associated to the Digital Europe Programme (associated countries) or countries which are in ongoing negotiations for an association agreement and where the agreement enters into force before grant signature Only students enrolled and accepted in one of SPECTRO Masters’ programme are eligible to financial support. When receiving their letter of acceptance and study offer, students will be notified of their scholarship allocation. Selection criteria The scholarships will award applicants based on merit. To quantify merit, a merit score (on a scale from 1 to 5, with 5 being the maximum) will be given to each applicant accepted to one of the master’s programmes. Three elements will be considered in assigning a merit score: previous academic and professional experience of an applicant, curriculum vitae, and letter of motivation, which also includes the motivation for an applicant to receive financial support. The initial merit score value will be an average of the two merit scores assigned by the two Local Programme Coordinators accepting an applicant (the Local Coordinator at the Entry University and the Local Coordinator at the Exit University). The merit scores assigned by Local Programme Coordinators will be reviewed by Programme Leaders to ensure uniformity between the scores given by Local Programme Coordinators from different universities and different countries. A final meeting including the Programme Leaders, all Local Programme Coordinators and the Quality Assurance Manager of the SPECTRO project will be set at the end of each Recruitment Period to agree and deliberate on the final merit score of each applicant. Promotion of diversity in terms of gender, social and economic background The SPECTRO scholarship programme will thrive to promote diversity and inclusion through its scholarship opportunities: Priority will be given to female applicants from any EU country or EU-associated country. The scholarship programme for women will aim increase female participation in master’s programmes in Cybersecurity and Robotics. Priority will be given to applicants from RIS countries - included in the EIT Regional Innovation Scheme (RIS). The scholarship programme for participants from RIS countries is aimed to support the participation of students from countries with moderate or modest innovation score and with lower gross domestic product. Countries eligible to take part to the RIS include 1) EU members states, 2) Horizon Europe associated countries, and 3) outermost regions such as Guadeloupe, and Réunion (France), the Azores and Madeira (Portugal), and the Canary Islands (Spain). Payment arrangements The scholarship is reflected as a discount in the tuition fee. The candidates are informed of the net amount of the tuition fee, after deducting the applicable amount of the scholarship. half tuition fee waivers: the nominal value of the granted scholarship is of 2,500EUR per year full tuition fee waivers: the nominal value of the granted scholarship is of 5,000EUR per year scholarship of excellence, including a full tuition fee waivers and a monthly allowance: the nominal value of the granted scholarship is of 5,000EUR plus a monthly allowance of 900 EUR weighted based on the country correction coefficient (CCCs) of the country where a student is studying. The students awarded a scholarship will be financially supported during their two years of studies. Number of scholarships available Scholarships will be allocated on a rolling basis, until all financial support schemes are exhausted for the current recruitment cycle. With this call SPECTRO will make available 62 scholarships (including excellence, full waiver and half-waiver) to be distributed among the two Master’s programmes.

Further information

Application information robotics: https://masterschool.eitdigital.eu/autonomous-systems Application information cybersecurity: https://masterschool.eitdigital.eu/cyber-security The application process can be started here: https://academy.eitdigital.eu/ Web link for further information: https://www.eitdigital.eu/eu-collaborations/spectro/ Information on programme fees: https://masterschool.eitdigital.eu/admissions/fees Required documents for application: https://masterschool.eitdigital.eu/admissions/required-documents Email address for further information: spectro@eitdigital.eu