1. Background

The call is a part of a mobility and exchange project (ID: NORPART-2024/10111) funded by the Norwegian Directorate for Higher Education (HK-Dir), named as “PEARLS - Promoting a New Community of Knowledge and Practice on People Centred and Resilient Spaces related to Urban Rivers”. This exchange stay aims to promote socially grounded nature-based solutions.

NORPART-PEARLS works for more inclusive, liveable, prosperous and climate-friendly cities through people-centred and resilient urban spaces. It does this by promoting new learning practices that are transdisciplinary, exploratory and case study based, and by championing solutions that are driven by local needs. It works on the theme of urban rivers and communities in times of climate change.

Out of the following four objectives of the PEARLS, this call is related to the 3^rd objective;

1. To foster partnerships between academic institutions in Norway (NTNU), Nepal (Tribhuvan University) and Kenya (University of Nairobi) in combination with non-academic partners
2. To support internationalisation and excellence in education through active and experiential learning practices, case study-based pedagogy and transdisciplinary collaboration reflected in learning curricula.
3. To promote a new quality of learning for students and staff by providing opportunities for international mobility to and from Norway, thus promoting the development of new urban practitioners through international exposure and the development of innovative methods (e.g. combining social and nature-based solutions in urban development).
4. Achieve societal impact by advancing policy and people-centred local solutions, by connecting researchers, practitioners and communities, and by training future leaders.

2. Duration

Four to Eight (4-8) weeks in the Fall Semester 2025 (between, 15 August to 15 December, 2025)

3. Number Grants and Travel Support

The project can support 1-2 young researchers (preferably, PhD students enrolled at IoE/TU) to travel and stay at Norwegian University of Science and Technology (NTNU), Norway. The grant will cover all basic costs such as travel, visa, insurance, and accommodation related to this exchange stay.

4. Expected Activities

At NTNU, the selected young researcher will be a part of the Institute for Urban Planning and Architecture and especially part of the cohort of PhD students. One can join regular research lunches and PhD seminars in the faculty and beyond and benefit from various networks.

5. Eligibility

PhD Candidates (MS students can also apply, but we prefer PhD Candidates) at IoE in Planning, Architecture and Urban Design as well as other Engineering disciplines (if they can demonstrate a strong thematic link to the agenda of the PEARLS project on urban river regeneration in relation to social and environmental development) can apply.

6. Application Requirements

• Motivation letter
• Copy of transcript of grades (an indication of study progress)
• Outline of PhD research, including title, research gap and objectives (1-2 pages)
• Brief research plan/idea to pursue during stay in NTNU
• Recommendation letter from Supervisor and Program Coordinator or Department Head
• Curriculum Vitae (CV)

7. Application Submission

By filling this google form (https://forms.gle/JbzVjZCqwyxv7dJe9)

by 5^th September, 2025.

8. Selection Criteria

• Excellence: Combination of your grades and the quality of motivation letter.
• Equality and Diversity: Criteria of gender mix and minority needs, if several candidates are selected.
• Relevance: A thematic link to the PEARLS project on Urban Rivers will be an advantage.

9. Contact Persons

• CARD/TU:
  • Prof. Dr. Vishnu Prasad Pandey (vishnu.pandey@pcampus.edu.np)
  • Prof. Dr. Sangeeta Singh (sangeeta@ioe.edu.np)
• NTNU:
  • Prof. Dr. Peter Gotsch (peter.a.gotsch@ntnu.no )

Note: Changes in funding landscape (if any, though risk is very low!), may affect implementation of this mobility activity. In that case, CARD reserves the right to cancel the process any time.