Constructive Advanced Thinking (CAT) Programme22 Views

justify;">Institutional Ecosystem: Participating institutes, from Cambridge to Jerusalem and Paris to Uppsala, serve as hubs of cross-disciplinary engagement. These environments expose teams to a broad range of expertise, perspectives, and methodologies, equipping them to reframe societal challenges in fresh ways.

Eligibility & Team Requirements

Who Can Apply?

• • Teams of 3–5 members, led by a Principal Investigator (PI) with a stable European academic post.
  • The PI must have completed a PhD between January 2016 and September 2025, while other members should also be early-career.
  • Career interruptions (parental leave, illness) can extend eligibility.

Team Diversity

• • Teams must represent at least two countries, preferably including members from beyond Europe.
  • Stakeholders outside academia—such as NGOs or industry leaders—may join to strengthen societal impact.

Intellectual Property

Outputs generated under CAT remain the intellectual property of the team, ensuring that researchers retain ownership of their work.

Format and Support Structure

• • Programme Duration: CAT awards extend for up to three years, during which teams can complete six short stays of one to two weeks at participating institutes.
  • Flexibility of Stays: While physical visits remain central, CAT also allows virtual stays
    or hybrid models, ensuring continuity even during disruptions such as travel restrictions.
  • Funding Scope: CAT covers travel and accommodation costs for all team members. However, it does not provide salaries or direct research funding. This approach keeps focus on ideation, dialogue, and collaboration.

Expectations and Deliverables

• • Progress Reports: At the halfway point, teams must submit a short progress report outlining outcomes achieved and plans ahead. This ensures accountability and continued institutional support.
  • Final Outcomes: Upon completion, teams present their work through a public deliverable—such as a video, website, or report—and host a closing meeting. These outputs highlight project achievements and ensure visibility beyond the research community.

Application Process & Timeline

What to Submit

Applications must be in English and include:

• • A 300-word abstract
  • A 3,000-word proposal (or 15-minute video link)
  • A detailed work plan with proposed institute stays
  • CVs of all team members
  • Letters of support (academic and, ideally, stakeholder endorsements)

Review & Selection

Applications undergo rigorous peer review. Criteria include:

• • Originality and societal relevance
  • Interdisciplinary team composition
  • Feasibility of the plan
  • Potential for lasting impact

While applicants may suggest host institutes, final placements are decided by the selection board.

Important Dates

• • Deadline: October 2025
  • Notifications: January following year
  • Programme start: January following year
  • Duration: Up to 3 years

(Future cycles are expected annually around the same timeline; exact dates will be updated soon.)

Benefits of Participation

• • Academic Creativity: CAT liberates researchers from rigid project funding, granting them the intellectual freedom to pursue imaginative, high-risk ideas.
  • Networking & Collaboration: Through short stays, teams gain access to European Institutes for Advanced Study, creating valuable academic and policy networks that often extend beyond the fellowship.
  • Practical Relevance: By integrating non-academic stakeholders, CAT projects gain credibility and applicability, ensuring that solutions can be tested, scaled, or implemented in real-world contexts.

Expert Tips for Applicants

• • Choose diversity: Select team members with complementary expertise and from different national contexts.
  • Be clear and concise: Communicate your vision in plain, accessible language.
  • Link to society: Show how your project tackles issues relevant to broader communities.
  • Plan realistically: Design a timeline that balances ambition with feasibility.
  • Engage referees early: Secure strong, specific letters that contextualize your
    project’s importance.

Quick Overview

Feature	Details
Programme Name	Constructive Advanced Thinking (CAT) Programme
Administered By	Zukunftskolleg, University of Konstanz with NETIAS network
Duration	Up to 3 years
Eligibility	Teams of 3–5 early-career researchers; PI with PhD (2016–2025)
Funding	Travel and accommodation only
Stay Format	1–2 week visits (up to 6), onsite or virtual
Deliverables	Midterm progress report, final public output
Deadline	October 2025 (apply online)
Participating Institutes	Multiple IAS across Europe (Paris, Cambridge, Konstanz, Jerusalem, etc.)
Official Website	Click here

Conclusion

The Constructive Advanced Thinking (CAT) Programme is far more than a grant—it is a collaborative experiment in shaping the future of research. By connecting early-career teams with Europe’s premier institutes, it offers the infrastructure, networks, and flexibility to transform ideas into actionable solutions.

For researchers eager to push disciplinary boundaries and create knowledge with societal impact, CAT provides both the intellectual freedom and structural support necessary for success. Applications open each autumn, so plan ahead, build your team, and prepare to contribute to Europe’s most forward-looking research initiative.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)