Introduction
The Constructive Advanced Thinking (CAT) Programme is an international initiative that nurtures bold, interdisciplinary collaborations among early-career researchers. Founded by the Zukunftskolleg at the University of Konstanz in cooperation with the Network of European Institutes for Advanced Study (NETIAS), the programme brings together scholars to craft innovative approaches to pressing societal issues.
The Constructive Advanced Thinking (CAT) Programme empowers early-career researchers to design creative, interdisciplinary projects addressing global challenges. By funding collaborative short stays at leading institutes, it builds intellectual communities where academics, policymakers, and innovators converge. Travel and accommodation support enables teams to experiment, reflect, and deliver impactful, future-oriented solutions.
Unlike traditional grants tied to narrow disciplines or pre-set themes, CAT fosters bottom-up ideation, giving young researchers autonomy to define their own challenges. By linking participants with policymakers, NGOs, and industry stakeholders, the programme ensures that ideas extend beyond academia and contribute to real-world impact (University of Konstanz CAT Programme).
Purpose & Structure
- Catalyzing Creative Thought: CAT exists to provide researchers with the freedom to imagine beyond standard funding structures. Its flexible stays—across Europe’s top institutes—encourage participants to test unconventional ideas, spark dialogue, and develop transformative research.
- Institutional Ecosystem: Participating institutes, from Cambridge toJerusalem 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
