The Constructive Advanced Thinking (CAT) Programme supports small, interdisciplinary teams of early-career researchers to develop innovative ideas through short, funded stays at leading Institutes for Advanced Study across Europe.

Overview

Developed within the Network of European Institutes for Advanced Study (NetIAS), the CAT Programme is supported by the Centre for Advanced Study (CAS) at the Norwegian Academy of Science and Letters, the Swedish Collegium for Advanced Study (SCAS), Collegium Helveticum, the Aarhus Institute for Advanced Studies (AIAS), and others. The programme aims to support the development of innovative ideas for understanding and addressing current and emerging societal challenges, combining a strong focus on societal relevance with a bottom-up, non-thematic approach.

Over a period of up to three years, selected teams will meet regularly for short stays at participating Institutes for Advanced Study (IASs). These stays typically last between one and two weeks and take place two to three times per year, for a maximum of six stays.

Funding and Benefits

CAT covers travel and accommodation costs for the short stays at the participating Institutes for Advanced Study. The programme does not provide funding for salaries or research-related expenses.

Eligibility

• Teams must include three to five members.
• The Principal Investigator must hold a stable research position at an eligible European institution and have obtained a PhD within the past 10 years.
• Team members must be affiliated with institutions in at least two countries.
• No member should have received a PhD before January 2017, except where documented eligibility extensions apply.
• Doctoral researchers and stakeholder representatives may participate, with no diploma or age requirements for stakeholder representatives.

Research Areas

The programme is open to proposals in the humanities and social sciences. It uses a bottom-up, non-thematic approach, encouraging interdisciplinary teams to develop innovative ideas with societal relevance.

Deadline and Timeline

Deadline: 13 September 2026

Selected teams will participate in the programme for up to three years, with regular short stays at participating Institutes for Advanced Study.

Contact Information

Organisation: Network of European Institutes for Advanced Study (NetIAS)

Organisation Country: France

More information: https://www.scientifyresearch.org/grant/cat-programme-humanities-netias-europe/