University of Konstanz, the University of Rijeka’s partner within YERUN, is excited to share a 2026 Call for Applications for the Constructive Advanced Thinking (CAT) Programme.
The CAT initiative aims to foster networks of excellent early-career researchers dedicated to devising new ideas to understand and to tackle current or emerging societal challenges. Although the programme has a strong focus on the societal relevance of the projects, it is entirely blue sky, bottom-up, and non-thematic. CAT encourages a collaboration with stakeholders outside academia (industry, policymakers, NGOs…) who are willing to support or engage in innovative research initiatives.
To engage in fruitful discussions and mature their ideas, the groups will be given the opportunity to meet for short stays in different participating institutes, and to be put in contact with the institutes’ fellows and local research communities.
With few guidelines and a very light application process, CAT is designed to maximize the creativity of research groups. This call has been incubated in the Network of European Institutes for Advanced Study (NETIAS) and also involves institutes beyond the network.
The Principal Investigator (team leader) must have a stable research position in a European (EU as well as UK, and associated countries) higher education and/or research institution for the entire duration of the project. S/he must have obtained a PhD between January 2016 and September 2025.
Read more about the CAT Programme here.
Deadline for applications: October 14, 2025, 15:00 CET.