As part of its long-term commitment to foster collaboration in research and teaching, the 4EU+ European University Alliance is launching the fourth edition of the 4EU+ Visiting Professorships initiative. This programme aims to enhance the knowledge and skills of academic staff across the 8 member universities of the Alliance, while fostering new collaborations and strengthening existing ones. In line with the 4EU+ Alliance’s Strategy 2025-2035, Visiting Professorships promotes the exchange of expertise across the Alliance and supports the development of sustainable academic networks.
Visiting Professorship holders are encouraged to lead or contribute to projects involving academic staff, but also students and doctoral candidates from the Host and Home Universities. Involvement of colleagues and teams from other 4EU+ member universities in the project activities is also possible.
The call is open to researchers and academics of all scientific fields and disciplines corresponding to the thematic scope, missions and objectives of the 4EU+ Flagships.
For the 2026 edition, and in line with the Alliance's strategic objective of supporting the next generation of 4EU+ researchers, the call introduces two funding lines:
Early Career Visiting Professorships
Standard Visiting professorships
The programme is funded from the budget of the 4EU+ European University Alliance Association. The allocation of funds between the two funding lines will be determined following the evaluation process, considering the volume of eligible applications received and the quality of the proposals.
The Visiting Professorship holder, together with the hosting team, will carry out joint research and/or educational activities that contribute to the development of new education frameworks and novel expertise, for example:
participating in the development of joint learning modules or programmes, incl. short programmes like summer and winter schools,
contributing to methodological work and the transformation of teaching methods,
joining the research team/lab at the Host University to reach their research objectives and bring the gained knowledge back to the Home University,
building an inter-institutional 4EU+ research team,
leading or participating in the development of shared research infrastructure,
leading or participating in preliminary research activities with a view to submitting a joint proposal for research funding,
organising high-level research conferences and scientific seminars.
The 4EU+ Alliance is willing to support the activities that would lead to the sustainable improvement of its research and/or educational structures.
The proposal also envisages related outreach and communication activities to disseminate the project results within the non-academic sector and society.
The Visiting Professorship holder is responsible for efficient dissemination of the project’s outcomes. In addition to a written report, the Visiting Professorship holder is expected to share the project’s results and findings with a broader audience through activities such as live and/or recorded oral presentations, seminars, workshops, publications (incl. social media publications), or other appropriate means.
The conditions below apply to both funding lines.
The Visiting Professorship holder and the members of the hosting team must be affiliated with two different universities of the 4EU+ Alliance. The involvement of other 4EU+ universities in the project is encouraged.
The Visiting Professor is expected to spend a minimum of 3 weeks and a maximum of 6 weeks at the Host University. A Visiting Professorship is granted for one person only and cannot be shared.
The mobility period can be divided into several intervals over one academic year, but the Visiting Professorship holder will receive only a single travel allowance, which will cover one outbound and return trip. If the holder of a Visiting Professorship intends to split the mobility period and cover travel costs that exceed the amount of the travel allowance granted, he/she must finance it independently. Virtual mobility and distant collaborative work can complement but not replace the physical mobility period.
The Visiting Professorship holder is expected to work extensively with the hosting team.
The Visiting Professorship holder is expected to inform the 4EU+ Local Office of the Host University (see Part 8.) about any planned communication & dissemination activities, so that they can be carried out in collaboration with the local 4EU+ Communications Officer. The Visiting Professorship holder should also be prepared to be contacted by the local 4EU+ Communications Officer to discuss dissemination opportunities, e.g. 2-3 pages report, 5 min. videos explaining the project and its purpose, etc.
The Visiting Professorship holder must submit the completed final report form no later than one month after the end of the Visiting Professorship. The report should include a description of activities carried out within the project, an identification of the team members, an elaboration of how it enriched the 4EU+ research and/or educational structures, and specific intentions regarding the project’s sustainability.
The Host University provides logistical guidance and, if possible, assistance in organising the Visiting Professor’s stay (e.g., assistance in securing housing, childcare etc.) and project-related activities.
It is the Home University's responsibility to exempt the Visiting Professorship holder from part of their teaching duties on a case-by-case basis.
The Visiting Professorship holder is an academic staff member employed at a 4EU+ member university.
With the exception of different specific local eligibility requirements (see the box below), the Visiting Professorship holder should be employed by a 4EU+ member university with a medium or long-term commitment to research and/or teaching. The candidate for Visiting Professorship should be employed by a 4EU+ member university at the time of submission of the application as well as throughout the period of his/her stay at the host institution.
Funding line Early Career Visiting Professorships: For the purpose of this call, Early Career Researchers are researchers who obtained their PhD 2- 10 years prior to the project start date (January 2027) and are in the process of establishing their academic independence.
The eligibility window of the above definition may be extended in duly documented cases of career breaks, including maternity, paternity or parental leave, long-term illness, national service, clinical training, disability-related reduced working time, or other justified circumstances affecting the research career trajectory. Applicants should contact their local 4EU+ Office regarding eligibility extensions.
If the candidate for the Visiting Professorship is unsure about the eligibility requirements, they are requested to contact the 4EU+ Local Office at their home institution.
Please note that to ensure a broad distribution of funding opportunities across the Alliance, applicants may not participate in both the Visiting Professorships and the SEED4EU+ 2026 calls. Consequently, researchers applying for the 2026 Visiting Professorship Call cannot hold the role of Principal Investigator (PI) or Local Project Coordinator in a SEED4EU+ project proposal.
CU: Only members of the academic staff with employment contracts are eligible to apply for the Visiting Professorship.
UHD: Applicants must have an employment contract throughout the duration of the project period.
PAU: Only permanent academic staff members are eligible to apply for the Visiting Professorship. Candidates for Visiting Professorship must check that they have no teaching or research obligations at PPAU during their planned stay(s) abroad.
SU: Only permanent academic staff members are eligible to apply for the Visiting Professorship.
UCPH: Applicants must have an employment contract throughout the duration of the project period.
UNIGE: Candidates for Visiting Professorship must check that they have no teaching or research obligations at UNIGE during their planned stay(s) abroad.
UNIMI:
Holders of research grants (assegni di ricerca)* (“Categoy Other” in the application form);
Holders of research contracts (contratti di ricerca)* (“Categoy Other” in the application form);
Holder of postdoctoral appointments (incarichi post-doc)*(“Categoy Other” in the application form);
Holders of research appointments (incarichi di ricerca)*(“Categoy Other” in the application form);
Holders of a Fellowship (borsisti)* (“Categoy Other” in the application form);
RTDA (fixed-term researchers, type A)* (“Category Assistant Professor”in the application form);
RTDB (fixed-term researchers, type B) funded by resources not subject to financial reporting obligations (“Category Assistant Professor”in the application form);
RTT (tenure-track researchers) funded by resources not subject to financial reporting obligations (“Category Assistant Professor”in the application form);
RU (university researchers) (“Category Assistant Professor”in the application form);
PA (associate professors) (“Category Associate Professor” in the application form);
PO (full professors) (“Category Full Professor” in the application form).
*If the applicant’s salary is funded by a research project supported by an external funding body, it is necessary to verify with the project’s Principal Investigator (PI) that the proposed activity is compatible with the activities of the project financing the applicant’s salary.
UW: Only members of the academic staff with employment contracts are eligible to apply for the Visiting Professorship.
The Visiting Professorship holder’s team at the receiving institution may be composed of any member of the Host University or other 4EU+ member universities, including students, doctoral candidates and non-permanent staff, as long as they are identified by name and engaged for the entire duration of the project.
4EU+ member universities are committed to an open and inclusive working environment and apply equality, diversity and inclusion standards in the recruitment of Visiting Professors.
The Visiting Professorship holder continues to receive a salary determined and paid by the Home University.
A lump sum will be paid to the Visiting Professorship holder by the Home University in accordance with the local legislative regulation, considering:
the fixed daily/monthly allowances at the Home University, covering accommodation and subsistence
only one travel allowance will be covered (the Visiting Professorship holder will receive a single travel allowance, regardless of the number of trips taken)
To ensure transparency and fairness, the daily/monthly allowance will be fixed for all universities and based on the Erasmus+ Teaching Staff Mobility rates for long-term staff mobility (Erasmus+ 2025).
The lump sum will be calculated based on the number of days. Applicants only need to indicate their mobility period's start and end dates in their application.
Applicants are strongly encouraged to contact their home 4EU+ Local Office.
The 4EU+ Management Committee reserves the right to adjust the budget for accepted proposals.
Daily allowances for accommodation towards:
Czech Republic
119 EUR
Denmark
133 EUR
France
Germany
133EUR
Italy
Poland
103 EUR
Switzerland
Lump sums for travel costs based on the Erasmus+ Distance Calculator:
Travel allowances rates
Geneva ↔ Paris
211 €
Geneva ↔ Milan
Heidelberg ↔ Paris
Heidelberg ↔ Milan
Heidelberg ↔ Prague
Heidelberg ↔ Geneva
All others
309 €
Please note that:
Replacement costs for teaching and research staff from the Home University are not covered.
For dissemination activities, Applicants must contact the Host institution‘s 4EU+ Local Office
For any questions related to budget and eligible costs, Applicants must contact their home 4EU+ Local Office (see contact details below).
Application for co-funding of the Visiting Professorship or additional funding for subsequent related activities is encouraged, but not mandatory.
The Home University will fund the Visiting Professorship project. Upon completion of the project, the 4EU+ Association will reimburse the Home University’s expenses up to the amount allocated for the project upon the request for reimbursement. The Home University is responsible for managing the total budget allocated at the institutional level. The Host University will not contribute to the financing of the Visiting Professorship, but is obliged to provide supportive hosting conditions for the Visiting Professor.
The online application form is available via this link.
The Applicant must provide comprehensive details about the planned activities, including the project’s objectives, its contribution to the implementation of the 4EU+ Alliance’s Strategy 2025-2035 and the expectations for further cooperation.
The required attachments are:
A short academic profile or CV (max 2 pages, in .doc, .docx or .pdf format). It should cover the applicant’s research background, key publications or outputs, and any relevant academic experience since their PhD.
Confirmation letter from the Home University, signed by the head of the department/dean of the unit of the department, or the rector of the Home University (in English) (Annex 1: Confirmation letter template)
Letter of acceptance from the Host University, signed by the head of the host department/dean of the unit of the host department or the rector of the hosting university (in English) (Annex 2: Letter of acceptance template)
Before submitting a proposal, potential candidates should obtain approval from their Home University (Confirmation letter) attesting to their formal eligibility (if any) according to the criteria listed above.
An eligibility screen procedure will be performed by 4EU+ Local Offices (contact details below). Only eligible proposals will be submitted to an Evaluation Committee, comprised of appointed evaluators by the 8 universities, experts in different disciplinary fields.
The final decision on the funding of ranked proposals will be made by the 4EU+ Management Committee (MC) and validated by the 4EU+ Governing Board (GB).
Applications open
22 June 2026
Applications close
13 October 2026, 4 pm
Notification of results
By the end of December 2026
Period during which the VP stays can take place
1 January 2027 – 30 November 2027
Latest date for Visiting Professorship projects to end
30 November 2027
Final report due
End of project + 1 month
Submitted project proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:
1. THEMATIC RELEVANCE AND SCIENTIFIC QUALITY
0/45
To what extent does the project align with the R&I/educational topics and priorities addressed by the 4EU+ Flagships and the 4EU+ Strategy?
Educational component: Do the proposed activities incorporate innovative educational approaches (i.e. research-based, challenge-based, transfer-oriented, evidence-based education or collaborative learning) and are there synergies between the submitted project and the educational and training priorities set by 4EU+?
To what extent is the proposed research or educational methodology suitable for achieving the project’s goals?
References:
4EU+ Flagships
4EU+ 2025-35 Strategy
4EU+ teaching & learning toolbox
2. ADDED VALUE OF THE PARTNERSHIP
0/25
To what extent do the researchers involved in the project have complementary expertise and why is this complementarity important for the project and its outcomes? (multi- and interdisciplinary dimension)
Do the team members across both institutions represent a range of expertise levels (senior academics, early career researchers…)?
How is the partnership essential in achieving the project objectives?
3. IMPACT AND SUSTAINABILITY
0/30
Does the project have the potential to expand the 4EU+ academic community involved in 4EU+ educational and R&I activities and/or strengthen existing collaborations?
Do the proposed activities help advance the R&I/educational collaboration toward a future European collaborative project?
Do the project outcomes presented in the application have the potential to be integrated in the educational offer and contribute to the development of more comprehensive study units (e.g. study programmes and existing curricula at partner universities)?
Please note the Visiting Professorship holders will have the following reporting obligations:
Communication and dissemination obligations prior to, during and after the Visiting Professorship stay. These may include responding to requests for information and contributing content for the 4EU+ website and other channels of the Alliance. Upon the notification of results, the assigned 4EU+ Communications Officer (from home and/or host 4EU+ Local Office) will reach out to the selected Visiting Professors to establish cooperation.
Final reporting obligation. After the completion of the Visiting Professorship, the Visiting Professorship holder must submit a technical report (1-2 pages describing the visit, achievement of stay objectives, project outcomes, impact on individual and institutional capacity development, as well as any planned follow-up / spin-off activities). A Final report template is provided upon the notification of results to allow the Visiting Professorship holders to compile the report progressively, from the very start of their project. The report must be sent to the 4EU+ Local Office (at Home University).
On 30 June 2026, at 1 pm, an online Info Day will be hosted to answer your questions about the 2026 Visiting Professorships call.
Academics interested in participating are kindly invited to fill out the form at this link: 4EU+ Calls 2026-27 Online Info Session 30 June
For further information, please contact:
4EU+ General Secretariat
secretariat@4euplus.eu
Charles University
4euplus@cuni.cz
Heidelberg University
4euplus@rektorat.uni-heidelberg.de
Paris-Panthéon-Assas University
4euplus@assas-universite.fr
Sorbonne University
4euplus-su@sorbonne-universite.fr
University of Copenhagen
4euplusucph@adm.ku.dk
University of Geneva
4euplus@unige.ch
University of Milan
4euplus@unimi.it
University of Warsaw
4euplus@uw.edu.pl
Confirmation letter from the Home University (Template)
Letter of acceptance from the Host University (Template)
PDF Application form (only for consultation purposes)
PDF version of the 4EU+ Visiting Professorships 2026 call
Flyer / Poster in A5 format