Call for Applications
ALF Knowledge for Action - K4A cycle2
What is Knowledge for Action?
The ALF Knowledge for Action (K4A) Programme promotes the production and dissemination of evidence-based and policy-oriented research that addresses relevant dimensions of Intercultural Dialogue in the Euro-Med region. The Programme seeks to enhance the capacity of academic institutions (i.e., think tanks, specialised centres, and universities) to translate knowledge into visible, rigorous and actionable policies and practices that benefit civil society and tackle pressing challenges. In this context, K4A contributes to the broader objectives of the Pact for the Mediterranean by supporting evidence-based knowledge and policy cooperation across the Common Mediterranean Space. The Pact provides a renewed framework for cooperation between the European Union and its Southern Mediterranean partners and seeks to advance a more integrated, prosperous, resilient and secure Euro-Med region.
What are the topics?
Selected authors are expected to address one of the following topics. In all cases, proposed Briefs must adopt a clear Euro-Mediterranean perspective and explicitly integrate an intercultural dialogue approach in their analysis and recommendations:
- Intercultural dimensions of the green and blue transitions: energy, climate and coastal communities.
- Sustainable transport and connectivity corridors as spaces for exchange and cooperation.
- Evidence-based policymaking and shared knowledge platforms.
- Building a people-centred Mediterranean disaster preparedness and resilience community.
- Intercultural dialogue in migration governance.
- Peace, security and trust-building through youth and civil society cooperation.
- Higher education cooperation and mobility in the Common Mediterranean Space.
How Euro-Mediterranean academic partnerships, mobility schemes and joint curricula can foster intercultural dialogue, shared values and mutual recognition across shores.
- Bridging skills gaps for inclusive green and digital transitions.
- Culture, sport and sustainable tourism as drivers of shared narratives.
How international cultural relations, cultural cooperation, creative sectors, sport and sustainable tourism policies can counter polarisation, prevent negative stereotyping and promote inclusive narratives about the Mediterranean’s diversity.
- Civil society–local authorities cooperation and youth participation for inclusive governance.
How cooperation between civil society organisations and local authorities can strengthen inclusive and participatory governance, foster youth engagement in decision-making and policy-making, and enhance social cohesion and intercultural dialogue in Euro-Mediterranean communities.
- Inclusive startup and innovation ecosystems.
How to design and connect startup ecosystems and research–innovation networks in an intercultural way to reduce inequalities between and within Euro-Med societies.
- Digital infrastructure, Artificial Intelligence, and data economies with a human-centred, intercultural approach.
What are the benefits?
Selected authors will receive a lump sum of 700 euro net for the production of a Brief and up to 500 euro net for the organisation of a dissemination event in their community of practice (“Academic Dialogue”) to foster peer discussions, intergenerational exchange, and visibility of their research. Payment will be made only after the submission and approval of the agreed outputs, and no pre-financing is foreseen. The ALF will publish selected briefs and disseminate them on a Euro-Mediterranean scale through dedicated Civil Society Dialogues.
How to apply?
Interested authors can apply online before 24 October 2026 23:59 CET. When applying, candidates are required to submit a brief concept. The one-page concept must be in English, submitted as a Word document, and written in Calibri 11, following the provided structure.
The concept should include:
- A title.
- A short explanation of the theme, identified challenges, research objectives and their added value.
- Euro-Mediterranean aspects of the proposed brief, specifying how the proposed research is relevant to the region.
- Envisaged modalities of cooperation with civil society organisations, specifying their role.
Please note that you cannot save the application as a draft or make any changes after submitting it. At the close of the call, the most recently submitted version of the application will be processed. The same candidate cannot submit more than one proposal under this call.
Phases
1- Upon selection, authors will participate in a kick-off meeting and receive detailed Terms of Reference and Editorial Guidelines. After that, they will have two months to submit a draft text, which will undergo a thorough peer-review process. After receiving peer-review feedback, authors will have one month to incorporate the reviewer’s recommendations into a consolidated version of their work, which they will then resubmit to the ALF Secretariat for final approval.
2- The ALF Secretariat may request further revisions after resubmission until the required quality level is achieved. Once no further revisions are needed, the ALF Secretariat will approve the Brief and consider it for publication and dissemination. After final approval, the ALF Secretariat will support the authors in organising their Academic Dialogues.
This procedure ensures that the published material contributes meaningfully to the Euro-Mediterranean debate in the relevant field, while also allowing for a rigorous examination of the content before dissemination to broader audiences.
For any questions, please write to us at: alf.k4a@alfsecretariat.org
Who is eligible to apply?
To be eligible, applicants must:
- Be affiliated with a university, a think tank, or a specialised centre.
- Be nationals of one of the 43 Member States of the Anna Lindh Foundation.
Applicants who do not meet the eligibility criteria will be disqualified.
Selection Criteria
The selection committee will apply the following criteria:
- Added value of the proposed research approach concerning the chosen topic [35%].
- Euro-Mediterranean scope of the proposed brief [25%].
- Background of the author/s in the specific field of the proposed brief [25%].
- Innovative modalities of cooperation with CSOs and the role assigned to them [15%].
A gender, youth, and geographical balance between Euro-Mediterranean sub-regions and countries will be observed. Priority will be given to applicants affiliated with organisations/institutions that are members of one of the national networks of the Anna Lindh Foundation.
Due to the large number of expected applications, limited resources, and the aim of diversifying beneficiaries, priority will be given to applications that did not receive funding from the ALF Knowledge for Action Programme in the past two years.
Indicative Timeline
24/09/2026 Launch of the call
06/10/2026 Online information session (12 pm CET Save this link to join)
24/10/2026 (23:59 CET) Application deadline
19/11/2026 Announcement of selected authors
24/11/2026 Introductory meeting with selected authors to present the guidelines
23/01/2027 Deadline to submit draft briefs
01/03/2027 Communication to the authors of the recommendations elaborated by the reviewers
17/04/2027 Deadline for the submission of reviewed briefs
May to July 2027 Authors organise their Academic Dialogues
Definitions
Briefs are a key tool to present research and recommendations that facilitate policymaking by evaluating policy options for a specific issue. They explain the policy relevance of a given problem, present findings, and provide recommendations.
Academic Dialogues are public events aiming to foster peer discussions, intergenerational exchange, and visibility of the research among academic audiences and key stakeholders. They promote the integration of intercultural themes into the Euro-Mediterranean agenda.
Background
The ALF, was created in 2005 as a Euro-Mediterranean intergovernmental organisation based in Alexandria. The ALF, inspired by Anna Lindh’s legacy, is committed to fostering intercultural dialogue within its mission of nurturing inclusive societies where diversity is celebrated and everyone’s voice is valued. By promoting peace, justice, and strong partnerships, the ALF strives to create a world where people from diverse backgrounds live in harmony through open and meaningful intercultural exchanges.
ALF brings together organisations, institutions, policymakers, and other change makers from all Euro-Med countries to open a dialogue and cooperate. People meet, learn, and collaborate, through the Foundation’s different Programmes and initiatives in different fields to empower them to create a chain of positive change that touches more lives and communities. Its action is grounded on the two main ALF bodies: Its National Civil Society Networks, with more than 4.500 members, and the 43 States of its Board of Governors.
Framework and Financial Allocation
This Programme is developed in the framework of the Action Grant Phase VII, in accordance with the Anna Lindh Foundation Multiannual Work Programme 2025-2028. The indicative overall amount allocated to this call is 27.500 euro. The ALF Secretariat reserves the right not to disburse all available funds.