ERUA iDeaThon 2026: Turn Your Ideas into Social Impact
Have an idea that could make a difference? The ERUA iDeaThon 2026 brings together students, researchers, university staff and external stakeholders to develop innovative solutions to societal challenges. Applications are open until 24 November 2026, with awards of up to €5,000 to support the winning projects.
The European Reform University Alliance (ERUA) has launched the ERUA iDeaThon 2026, an international initiative designed to turn creative ideas into sustainable solutions with a positive social impact.
Part of the Challenge-to-Impact Initiative: Future Learning and Student Experience, the iDeaThon encourages participants from across ERUA's eight partner universities to combine academic knowledge, creativity and collaboration to address real-world challenges.
Participants are invited to develop proposals addressing one of five thematic areas:
- Migration, Exile and Refugees
- Democracy and Human Rights, Inclusion and Gender Equality
- Environmental Transition
- Interculturality and Multilingualism
- Arts and Edges
Who can participate?
The call is open to Bachelor's, Master's and PhD students, academic, research and administrative staff, as well as external stakeholders, including public authorities, businesses and civil society organisations.
Applications can be submitted individually or in teams of up to five members. Teams involving university staff or external stakeholders must include at least one ERUA student.
No fully developed business plan or prototype is required: all you need is an idea, a societal challenge to address and a vision for creating a positive impact.
Join the online information session – 2 November
Interested in taking part? Join the online information session on Monday, 2 November 2026, at 16:00 CET to discover how the iDeaThon works and how to develop your idea.
The session is open to everyone, including students, academic, research and administrative staff, and external stakeholders interested in participating.
Register for the online information session via Zoom
What's in it for the winning teams?
The ERUA iDeaThon offers participants opportunities to develop their ideas further, including:
- Up to €5,000 to cover project development expenses;
- A trip to Las Palmas (ERUA Bootcamp 2027).
- A trip to Lesvos (ERUA Hackathon 2027)
- Mentoring and networking opportunities across the ERUA Alliance.
The three highest-ranked proposals will receive financial support of €5,000, €3,000 and €1,000, respectively, to cover eligible project expenses.
How to apply
The iDeaThon will take place online between October and December 2026.
Key dates:
- 2 November 2026: Online information session (16:00 CET)
- 24 November 2026: Application deadline (23:59 CET)
- 9–10 December 2026: Final presentations
- 11 December 2026: Announcement of results
Applications must be submitted in English by 24 November 2026.
Discover the ERUA iDeaThon 2026 and submit your application
For further information, please contact the organising team at erua-challenge2impact@aegean.gr.