The InterContinental Academic Exchange Programme (ICON) finds its origin in long-lasting collaborative links between the SGroup network, its members, and institutions located in strategic regions linked to the SGroup Think Tank Academy. As part of this mobility programme, the academic/administrative staff and PhD Candidates of full-member European Universities of the SGroup can apply for a SGroup scholarship for a short mobility period in a partner institution of their choice outside Europe and belonging to one of the Think Tank Academy regions. The participants and the activity programmes financed by the ICON programme must represent the quality standards and values inherent to the SGroup network.
The aim of the ICON programme is to promote, facilitate and/or strengthen collaboration between SGroup institutions and overseas partners, thereby contributing to the SGroup’s commitment to expanding international and intercontinental cooperation opportunities in the field of education and research through the transfer of knowledge and the development of strategic collaborations beyond Europe.
The ICON programme for the year 2026 will provide 18 grants for applications from academic and/or administrative staff and PhD Candidates.
The amount of each grant is maximum 3.000 EUR (final amount will be calculated upon proof of actual expenses).
Co-financing from other sources is eligible as long as the principles of co-financing, and the correspondent prohibition of double financing, is respected (meaning that costs for the same activity cannot be funded twice).
Complete the online application form via the ICON platform: https://sgroup-unis.eu/icon_form