UniBE ENLIGHT Anchor Projects

UniBE ENLIGHT anchor projects are initiatives that contribute to the long-term integration of ENLIGHT programs into university structures. In addition to the University of Bern, at least one other ENLIGHT university is involved. The primary intended outcomes are joint programs or double degree programs. Support is provided for the development of these projects at the University of Bern (such as coordination, administrative and legal clarifications, or the drafting of the necessary agreements).

Call 2026

Joint Master Program «Archaeology of Sustainable Environments ASE»

Universities Bern, Groningen, Uppsala

The project stems from the ENLIGHT Thematic Network EASE, which received funding in 2024 and in which collaboration among the three universities—through joint courses, workshops, and conferences—is already well established. The goal is to establish a new specialization, specifically a Master’s program in “Archaeology of Sustainable Environments” worth 120 ECTS (specialized Master’s), which will complementarily integrate the academic and geographical focuses of Bern, Groningen, and Uppsala.

The program complements and strengthens the existing Master’s in Archaeology at the University of Bern and is aimed at students interested in research and heritage management who wish to develop an international profile.

  • Prof. Dr. Caroline Heitz, Professor, Institute of Archaeological Sciences, Prehistoric Archaeology
  • Dr. Marco Hostettler, Senior Assistant, Institute of Archaeological Sciences, Prehistoric Archaeology

Call 2026

Joint Master Program «Interdisciplinary Migration Network for Equitable Future IMAGINE»

Universities Bern, Göttingen, Groningen, Ghent, Tartu

In the ENLIGHT Thematic Network IMAGINE, funded in 2024, collaboration among the participating universities—through jointly developed and implemented activities—has already been tested. The goal is to establish a new specialized joint master’s program among the five ENLIGHT universities (120 ECTS credits). One possibility to be further explored would be a core curriculum (blended learning) jointly designed and offered by the partner universities, combined with local disciplinary specializations at each institution. This would expand the Master’s program in law to include an interdisciplinary component. The new Master’s program represents an attractive addition to the existing offerings.

  • Prof. Dr. Tobias Eule, Professor Sociology of Law, Institute of Public Law
  • Prof. Dr. Barbara von Rütte, Assistant Professor for Public Law with specialization in migration law, Institute of Public Law
  • Dr. Anna Wyss, SNF Ambizione Fellow, Institute of Social Anthroplogy  

Call 2026

Joint Doctoral Program «Interdisciplinary Migration Network for Equitable Future IMAGINE»

Universities Bern, Göttingen, Groningen, Ghent, Tartu

The idea to create a joint doctoral network and submit a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) proposal emerged from the ENLIGHT Thematic Network IMAGINE, which received funding in 2024. The program is intended to have an interdisciplinary focus, while at the same time ensuring that doctoral students complete their degrees in their respective disciplines (PhD degrees in accordance with the regulations of their respective faculties).

  • Prof. Dr. Tobias Eule, Professor Sociology of Law, Institute of Public Law
  • Prof. Dr. Barbara von Rütte, Assistant Professor for Public Law with specialization in migration law, Institute of Public Law
  • Dr. Anna Wyss, SNF Ambizione Fellow, Institute of Social Anthroplogy  

Call 2026

Joint Doctoral Program Tumor Biology

Universities Bern, Bordeaux, Ghent 

The three partner universities of the ENLIGHT Thematic Network NETCARE, which received funding in 2025, plan to establish a joint doctoral program in the field of cancer research.

At the University of Bern, NETCARE is represented by the Cancer Research Network Bern (CRNB), the research arm of the University Comprehensive Cancer Center Inselspital (UCI). The CRNB thus serves as the local platform for connecting Bern’s cancer research with the international NETCARE partners and contributes its broad expertise in experimental, translational, and clinical cancer research to the development of the joint doctoral program.

At the University of Bern, the Joint Doctoral Program will be housed within the Tumor Biology specialization track (10 ECTS) of the Graduate School for Cellular and Biomedical Sciences (GCB). The Universities of Bern, Bordeaux, and Ghent are contributing their complementary expertise, thereby creating a training program that no single university could offer on this scale. Plans include jointly designed and conducted courses totaling 5 ECTS, the mutual opening of existing courses to students from partner universities, and research stays for doctoral students at one of the respective partner universities.

A key benefit of the program lies in the closer integration of clinical and basic science instruction. By involving researchers and clinical experts from the participating cancer centers, doctoral students will be able to explore questions in tumor biology across the entire translational spectrum—from molecular mechanisms to preclinical models to clinical challenges.

  • Prof. Dr. Mario Tschan, Group Leader, Institute für Tissue Medicine and Pathology
  • Dr. Sofia Karkampouna, Group Leader, Department of Urology and Department for Biomedical Research