The process of choosing candidates is thorough, competitive, open, and takes place in several stages, overseen by a dedicated Selection Committee made up of members from the partner institutions. This is a merit-based procedure carried out in multiple steps. To start, the main project coordination office checks each application to see if it is complete and if it meets the basic requirements. The first screening ensures that applications follow the eligibility rules. Applications that succeed in this early review are then sent to the appropriate host universities. At these universities, an academic committee assesses the applications focusing on the quality of the candidate’s academic background, the strength of the motivation letter, and how well the research plan aligns with the project goals and Global Gateway flagship projects in each partner country and region, its potential impact, and the compliance with the mobility quotas set for various groups and types of mobility. They also consider the quality and relevance of the proposed study or research plan and the candidate’s overall potential. Finally, a Joint Selection Committee, made up of representatives from all partner universities, meets to make the final award choices, ensuring fair distribution based on academic performance, gender, geographical background, and specific target groups.
