Ghent University scores in ENLIGHT calls

ENLIGHT calls 2025 (large view)

(21-10-2025) The results of the ENLIGHT calls 2025 have been announced. Ghent University confirms its strong position within the European university alliance, with involvement in half of all proposals submitted and coordination of eight selected projects.

More proposals, more academics involved

In the spring of 2025, ENLIGHT launched the new call for ENLIGHT Incubator Grants and ENLIGHT Thematic Networks. A total of 104 proposals were submitted, involving more than 1,400 academics from the ten ENLIGHT universities. That is 24 proposals and more than 300 academics more than last year, a clear indication of the growing dynamism within the network.

Ghent University was involved in 52 of the 104 proposals submitted, 16 as coordinator and 36 as partner. Ultimately, 39 projects were selected: 23 Incubator Grants and 16 ENLIGHT Thematic Networks. Ghent University is involved in 22 of these projects and coordinates eight of them. These eight selected projects demonstrate the broad expertise of our researchers: from healthcare and economics to literature and artificial intelligence.

ENLIGHT Incubator Grants

This call aims to encourage teachers to develop joint educational initiatives in one of the six ENLIGHT focus areas. Twenty-three educational projects were selected for the Incubator Grants. They will receive funding of up to 30,000 euros. Ghent University is involved as a partner in twelve of these projects. It is also the coordinator of six of them.

  1. HHiP – Health Humanities in Practice: Interdisciplinary modules bring together the humanities and healthcare. Students critically reflect on illness, care and ethics.

Led by Jürgen Pieters (Faculty of Arts and Philosophy).

  1. QEF – Master's in Quantitative Economics and Finance: Joint master's programme focusing on economics, data analysis and current topics such as fintech and climate finance.

Led by Glenn Rayp (Faculty of Economics and Business).

  1. SRHR-LEP – Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights: Linking Evidence to Policy: Virtual course on SRHR policy, with interactive modules, simulations and panel discussions.

Led by Olivier Degomme (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences)

  1. W@W BIPDOC – Wellbeing @ Work: BIP meets doctoral course: International doctoral course on wellbeing at work, with a focus on interdisciplinarity and practice-oriented learning.

Led by Elsy Verhofstadt (Faculty of Economics and Business).

  1. SUBVERSIVE VOICES – Women, Identity, and Resistance in East European and Baltic Literature and Culture: Explores female voices and resistance in East European literature. Promotes intercultural and gender-aware education.

Led by Miglena Dikova-Milanova (Faculty of Arts and Philosophy).

  1. RMT – Rethinking the Master's Thesis: Integrating Generative AI and Practice-Based Partnerships: Rethinks the master's thesis in the AI era. Develops competency frameworks, forms of evaluation and collaboration with practice partners.

Led by Bertel De Groote (Faculty of Economics and Business).

ENLIGHT Thematic Networks

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

Sixteen projects were selected for this call. They will receive a maximum budget of 100,000 euros. Ghent University is involved in ten of the selected networks and coordinates two.

  1. Amity – Accelerating Microbial Technologies for a sustainable circular economy: Network focusing on environmental biotechnology and the circular economy. Combines education, challenges and collaboration with external partners.

Led by Angel Estevez (Faculty of Bioengineering Sciences).

  1. COMOVE – Collaborating for Early Motor Development: Focuses on early motor development in children. Encourages interprofessional learning and collaboration in care and research.

Led by Lynn Bar-On (Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences).

ENLIGHT as a lever for collaboration

The ENLIGHT calls stimulate collaboration between education, research and social partners within the alliance. Ghent University remains committed to this international collaboration as a lever for innovation and impact.