ENLIGHT calls: Ghent University in 12 of 17 winning projects

In April 2024, ENLIGHT launched the ENLIGHT Incubator Grants and the ENLIGHT Thematic Networks (ETN). The aim of those calls is to encourage and support cooperation between ENLIGHT universities. Therefore, one of the conditions for participation is that they must be joint initiatives involving at least three ENLIGHT institutions.

80 proposals were submitted by more than 1,000 academics. Ghent University was involved in more than half of all project proposals. The jury eventually selected 17 projects.

ENLIGHT Incubator Grants

This call aims to encourage lecturers to develop joint educational initiatives in one of the six ENLIGHT focus areas.

Seven teaching projects were chosen for the Incubator Grants. They will receive funding of up to 30,000 euros. Ghent University is involved in three of those projects as a partner. It is also coordinator of one: CLS Educational Network Teaching and Studying the Basics.

Dr Ruben Wissing - coordinator CLS (Critical Law Studies): “Unlike an 'internal', doctrinal approach to law, that studies law as an autonomous system, CLS is an ‘external’ approach which examines how law and society interact and influence each other. CLS tends to focus on the political and social power structures that shape legal practices. Students often find CLS too advanced, with difficult terminology, methods and theories, and there are very few law modules and only limited expertise on the subject. We want to produce open-source learning material and teaching practices for more than 1000 pre-graduate law students at across the four universities (Galway, Tartu, Bordeaux and Ghent). The project will also lay the basis of a new European CLS educational knowledge network, focussing on the familiarisation and intensive collaborations among the teachers and with students.”

ENLIGHT Thematic Networks

ETN support interdisciplinary academic networks. The aim is to develop joint, challenge-based activities linking teaching, research and outreach to the six ENLIGHT focus areas.

Ten projects were selected for this call. They will receive a budget of up to 150,000 euros. Ghent University is involved in seven of the selected networks and it is again coordinator of one: H2OPE: Human health, Ocean Preservation and Food Ecosystems

Prof Jana Asselman - coordinator H2OPE: ‘The ENLIGHT funding for H2OPE gives us the opportunity to build a unique network at European level. For me, it is a platform for transdisciplinary collaboration, stimulating innovation in education and training a new generation of students and researchers. By combining insights from very diverse disciplines from biodiversity and epidemiology to nutrition and social sciences from six different UGent faculties, this initiative strengthens the link between sustainable ocean management and human health and well-being. It is a step towards a healthier future for both humans and the planet."

New call spring 2025

In spring 2025, ENLIGHT is launching the next call for 10 ENLIGHT Incubator Grants and 10 ENLIGHT Thematic Networks.

In addition, you can also apply for the ENLIGHT+ call, which is open on an ongoing basis. Through ENLIGHT+ you can apply for funding to organise an ENLIGHT activity at UGent, or to reimburse your travel and accommodation costs when participating in an ENLIGHT activity at one of the partners.

If you have specific plans that mainly focus on research, and you can finalise them before 30 April 2025, then this call might also be for you.

Read more about ENLIGHT on the intranet or ask for more info via enlight@ugent.be.