April 2025
Dear EAS Members and Dual Career Friends,
the EAS Executive Committee wishes you a happy Easter and takes the opportunity to update you on the recent and future activities.
Recent activities
February 20-21: The EAS Executive Board held its first in-person 2025 meeting in Frankfurt (Germany) , during which the activities of the Network have been organized and the 2024 activity and financial reports unanimously approved (https://www.dualcareer.eu/the-eas-executive-committee-meets-in-frankfurt/).
March 17: The EAS President visited the Headquarter of CISM to meet CISM Secretary General Navy Captain Roberto Recchia, CISM Academic Director Lieutenant-Commander Florentia Sfakianou, and dr. Andrea Carletti from Sport4Impact (https://www.dualcareer.eu/eas-meeting-the-international-military-sports-council-cism-and-the-sport-4-impact-in-brussels/).
March 18: The EAS President participated with other stakeholders to a consultative meeting of the European Parliament’s Committee on Culture and Education (CULT) on the role of the EU policies in shaping the European Sport Model (https://www.dualcareer.eu/eas-invited-at-the-european-parliament-as-a-stakeholders-to-the-eu-policies-in-shaping-the-european-sport-model/).
March 31: The 15th EAS online Cafè “From talent identification to talent support” has been organized in cooperation with the consortium of the ERASMUS+Sport TALENT (Cloud-based education for creative sport talents- 101090147) project (https://www.dualcareer.eu/the-15th-eas-cafe-on-dual-career-for-talented-athletes/).
April 1: EAS reminded to send long abstracts (5-15 pages) before April 27, 2025 to be published in the monograph Dual Career in School and University – Innovative Bridges between Sport and Education https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=1085273800304586&set=pb.100064659286748.-2207520000
April 10-11: The EAS President participated in the EU Sport Forum 2025 in Kraków, Poland, which provided a unique opportunity to envisage the advancement of EU sport policies through a high-level dialogue. https://www.dualcareer.eu/eu-sport-forum-2025-in-krakow-poland/
April 11: The Talent Team met in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina, to celebrate the project’s achievements, to share knowledge, and to plan for the future of this impactful project dedicated to fostering equal education, preventing exclusion, and supporting dual careers for young athletes. https://www.dualcareer.eu/talent-project-concludes-successful-final-event-in-sarajevo/
April 14: The Call for the Bengt Nybelius Scholarship has been launched. Researchers up to 40 years of age could be eligible for the Bengt Nybelius Scholarship by submitting as first author an original manuscript related to the scope of EAS before July 1st, 2024 (midnight CET) by e-mail to info@dualcareer.eu. By July 31, 2024, the winner will be informed that EAS will arrange travel, accommodation, and registration at the Annual EAS Conference to be held in Riga, Latvia on October 6-8, 2025. https://www.dualcareer.eu/call-for-papers-bengt-nybelius-scholarship-2025/
April 15: The EAS President participated in the EUSA-NUSA online meeting focused on possible implementation of university sport, during which the new initiatives at EUSA, Croatian Academic Sport Federation, Polish University Sport Association, University of Salerno, Hungarian University Sport Federation, and the Dual Career Network have been presented. https://www.dualcareer.eu/discoveru-at-the-online-eusa-nusa-meeting/
The ongoing EU-funded ERASMUS+Sport Collaborative Partnerships
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
COMPATH (101050955), the Collaborative Partnership coordinated by COLLECTIVE INNOVATION AS (Norway) aims to Promote Employability of Young Student-Athletes through ‘‘Competence Hub’’ on Sport Innovation. Drawing inspiration from the findings from a study on the educational needs of young people who are aiming for a career in sports innovation, and the development of Digital Sport Innovation Competence Hub. The final event will be held in Oslo next May 6, 2025. https://sportsinnovationshub.com
DC Mentor (101132309), the Collaborative Partnership coordinated by Sports Tech Consulting Education Tourism Organization Trade Limited Company (Turkeye) aims to Advancing Athlete Employability through Career Mentorship and Education. In particular, the project is designed to offer assistance to athlete for mitigating their difficulties in pursuing dual careers through tools and solutions in relation to life skills, future skills and 21th century skills. On June 17, 2025, the University of Murcia, Spain, will host the next transnational project meeting. Further information is available at https://dcmentor.eu
DiscoverU (101134052), the Collaborative Partnership coordinated by EUSA (Slovenia) aims to assess qualifications of elite athletes and to prepare them to the labour market. The project will develop e-learning materials for a Future Skills Curriculum, an Athlete Career Mentorship Platform Work, and organize Power up Workshops for Elite Athletes. Events and webinars. Last April 15, DiscoverU presented new opportunities for university sport at the EUSA-NUSA webinar. Further information is available at https://discoveru.eusa.eu
Find Me (101134043), the Collaborative Partnership coordinated by the University of Nis aims to structure an evidence-based European user-friendly platform specifically tailored for dual career at university level. On March 10, 2025, the Find Me Team organized an online meeting to finalize the online platform providing information about dual career opportunities at university level based on the findings of a survey recently published on an open access scientific journal (https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/sports-and-active-living/articles/10.3389/fspor.2025.1507951/full?utm_source=F-NTF). Further information is available at https://findmeproject.net.
Smart Start for DC (101133555), The Collaborative Partnership coordinated by Sportsko Uciliste PESG (Croatia) aims to encourage the dual career of young high school athletes aged 14 and 19. on February 4, 2025, the SmartStart4DC Team met online to align the goals and methodologies for the creation of the Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) on transversal skills for empowering youth athletes aged 14 to 19 years and helping them juggling training, classes, and personal life (https://www.dualcareer.eu/online-meeting-of-the-smart-start-for-dc-team/). Further information is available at https://www.facebook.com/p/Smart-Start-4-DC-61556732943039/
Talent (101090147), the Collaborative Partnership coordinated by the Uciliste Centar Izvrsnosti Splitsko-Dalmatinske Zupanije Ustanova Za Obrazovanje Odraslih (Croatia) aims to develop a cloud-based education for creative sport talents. Further information is available at https://talent-edu.eu. The Talent Project Consortium Board held its last online meeting on March 4, presented the Talent Guidelines during the 15th EAS cafè on March 31, and held the final transnational meeting in Sarajevo on April 10-11 https://www.dualcareer.eu/talent-project-concludes-successful-final-event-in-sarajevo/. Further information is available at https://talent-edu.eu
Upcoming events
April 27: Deadline for submission of manuscripts to the Monograph Dual Career in School and University – Innovative Bridges between Sport and Education. For further information: prof. Rajmund Tomik (r.tomik@awf.katowice.pl).
April 28-29: Transnational Meeting of the ERASMUS+Sport project Smart Start for DC to be held in Sofia, Bulgaria.
May 6: Final event of the ERASMUS+Sport project COMPATH to be held in Olso, Norvegia.
May 14-15: EAS will participate to the 19th meeting of the EPAS Council of Europe Governing Board and joint meeting with the EPAS Consultative Committee.
May 15-16: The Member of the EAS Executive Committee Laurence Blondel will take part in the event Dual Career & International Mobility: Connect with a network of universities supporting student-athletes, to be held in Lyon (France) by the ERASMUS+Sport SAMEurope Consortium. On May 15, a cocktail party with front row seats to watch the elite cycling Criterium of the Tri’Crit’Races is planned. Registration to the event is required before 20 April at https://www.sameuropeproject.eu/dual-career-event-may-2025/.
May 16-17: Transnational Meeting of the ERASMUS+Sport project Find Me to be held in Oslo, Norvegia.
May-June: The 16th EAS cafè will be organized. Invitation will be posted on the EAS website (https://www.dualcareer.eu)
Bengt Nybelius Scholarship
July 1 (midnight CET): To be eligible for the 2025 Bengt Nybelius Scholarship, applicants up to 40 years of age must submit their original work related to the scope of EAS by e-mail to info@dualcareer.eu. More information is available at (https://www.dualcareer.eu/call-for-papers-bengt-nybelius-scholarship-2025/).
EAS Conference
October 6-8: the University of Latvia will host the 2025 EAS Annual Conference “Dual Career of Elite Athletes: Integrating Sport and Education for Future Success”.The Conference is the most important opportunity for the dual career community to be informed on the best practices at local, regional, and national levels, the findings and outcomes of EU-funded dual career projects, and the recognition of researchers awarded the Bengt Nybelius Scholarship. The final deadline for abstract submission is September 13, 2025.
Special thanks to the EAS Members for renovating their involvement in our Network (https://www.dualcareer.eu/membership/) and to the Members of the EAS Executive Committee for strong commitment to the advancement of the European dual career culture.
Prof. Laura Capranica,
EAS President
On April 15, 2025, more than 40 representatives from 23 countries attended the online EUSA-NUSA meeting to be updated on EUSA activities and the advancement of the ERASMUS+Sport project DiscoverU project. The EUSA President Adam Roczek, the Secretary General Matjaz Pecovnik, the Sports Coordinator Eszter Gulyas welcomed the participants and presented recent EUSA university sport initiatives.
Before moderating the presentations, Andrej Pisl, EUSA Director of Projects and Policy, highlighted the Runners4All – European Students Run, to be held in October 2025 in Ljubljana, Slovenia, offering an important opportunity for university student participation.
Then, Marja Panijan illustrated the new sports activities and the UniSport Health programme introduced by Croatian Academic Sport Federation (CASF/HASS). Marianna Pikul, University Sports Association of Poland (AZS), presented the introduction of new university championships and grassroots events developed through DiscoverU support. Francis Cirianni anticipated the activities carried out in preparation of the EUSA Games in 2026 at the University of Salerno, Italy. Agnes Ancic-Valkai, Hungarian University Sports Federation (HUSF/MEFS), delineated the combination of competitive and recreational elements of the new format of the multisport MEFOB Festival, which was aligned with the DiscoverU vision. Laura Capranica, EAS President, summarized the efforts of the Network to support dual career development through awareness campaigns, stakeholder dialogue, and online engagement, including the popular EAS Cafés and the annual EAS Conference.
The next in-person meeting of DiscoverU partners will be organized in October 2025 during the Ljubljana Marathon and European Students Run, accompanied by a dedicated project conference.
The DiscoverU project is funded by the European Union coordinated by EUSA. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina – The TALENT Project, an initiative dedicated to fostering equal education, preventing exclusion, and supporting dual careers for young athletes, successfully concluded its final event on April 11, 2025. Over two days, project partners gathered in Sarajevo to celebrate achievements, share knowledge, and plan for the future of this impactful project program.
Day One: “Feed Your Talent” Dissemination Event
The first day of the event featured the “Feed Your Talent” dissemination event, held at the Faculty of Sport in Sarajevo. Over 60 participants, including representatives from EAS and various sports organizations, and young athletes, attended this inspiring session.
During the event, project results were presented, highlighting milestones achieved in promoting equal opportunities and preparing young athletes for both their athletic and professional futures. The introduction of the E-STOP platform was a key moment, showcasing an innovative tool designed to support dual career pathways. Video testimonials from successful athletes added a personal touch, sharing experiences that inspired and motivated attendees.
Day Two: Transnational project meeting
On the second day, partners focused on ensuring the long-term sustainability of the TALENT Project. Discussions centered on feedback from participants, follow-up activities, and the roles of consortium partners in maintaining the project’s momentum until its conclusion in May 2025. Key topics included reviewing project achievements, planning communication and dissemination strategies, and assigning tasks to ensure a smooth final reporting process to the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA).
Mojca Doupona (EAS representative) actively participated in these discussions, contributing insights from EAS on how to effectively support athletes in their dual careers.
As the consortium moves forward, the focus will remain on leveraging the E-STOP platform and fostering collaboration among partners to ensure that the TALENT Project’s impact endures beyond its formal conclusion. With a strong foundation laid, the future looks bright for the next generation of dual career athletes.
For more information about the TALENT Project, visit https://talent-edu.eu/#
The TALENT project is funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
Bengt Nybelius, together with Risto Keskitalo, the founder of the European Athlete as Student Network (EAS), was a brilliant mind, who settled the objectives and the structure of the organisation in 2004. He passed away in 2011, and EAS decided to establish a scholarship to carry on the legacy of his work. Therefore, we are happy to announce the Call for Paper of the “2025 Bengt Nybelius Scholarship”
Aims of the Bengt Nybelius Scholarship
The aim of the Bengt Nybelius Scholarship is to facilitate the integration of outstanding scholars and young researchers in the area of dual career.
Eligibility to the Bengt Nybelius Scholarship
Regardless the nationality and country of residence, researchers up to 40 years of age could be eligible for the Bengt Nybelius Scholarship.
Requirements to apply to the 2025 Bengt Nybelius Scholarship
Applicants must submit as first author an original manuscript related to the scope of EAS. Manuscripts must not contain information presented in other manuscripts published elsewhere.
The manuscript should be written in English, between 15 and 30 pages double-spaced in Arial font size 11, including title page, abstract, introduction, methods, results, discussion, conclusions, acknowledgments (if applicable), references, tables, figures and legends, and statement of conflicts of interest.
Manuscripts must be accompanied by a cover letter, stating clearly why the work is considered suitable for the Bengt Nybelius Scholarship and explaining the importance of the study.
Selection of the 2025 Bengt Nybelius Scholarship Winner
The Board of EAS will consider the quality of submitted manuscripts and notify the winner by July 31, 2025. The winner has to summarize her/his work with a 15-minute oral presentation in English at the 2025 Annual EAS Conference in Riga, Latvia, October 6-8.
EAS will arrange travel, accommodation, and registration of the Bengt Nybelius Scholarship winner.
Application to the 2025 to disseminate Bengt Nybelius Scholarship
To be considered for the 2025 Bengt Nybelius Scholarship applicants before July 1st, 2025 (midnight CET) must submit by e-mail to info@dualcareer.eu, including:
- A copy of the manuscript (PDF)
- An abstract, 1 page, about 2400 characters
- Curriculum vitae and list of publications (if there are others)
Requests of further information, if needed, could be addressed to info@dualcareer.eu. We are looking forward to receiving your application!
On behalf of the Board of EAS
Laura Capranica
On April 10-11, 2025, the European Commission organized the EU Sport Forum 2025 in Kraków, Poland, which provided a unique opportunity to envisage the advancement of EU sport policies through a high-level dialogue on: the future of the European Sport Model based on solidarity, values and competitiveness; the role of sport in education; the rights and wellbeing of athletes; the piracy of life sports events; the role of sports in EU enlargement; foreign investments in European football; the role of Artificial Intelligence in sport; and the possible implementation of Erasmus+ Sport actions. The event was also streamed online.
The crucial role of a close collaboration between institutions in support of the European Sports Model and its values was addressed in the opening speech by Glenn Micallef, European Commissioner for Intergenerational Fairness, Youth, Culture and Sport; in the introductory remarks by Sławomir Nitras, Minister of Sport and Tourism of Poland, and by Aleksander Miszalski, Mayor of Krakow; in the video key-note speech by Thomas Bach, President of the International Olympic Committee; in the presentation of the 2026 Winter Olympic Games by Diana Bianchedi, Chief Strategy Planning & Legacy Officer of the 2026 Milano-Cortina Olympics Foundation; and in the introductory speech on the European Model of Sport by Bogdan Zdrojewski, Member of the European Parliament and Rapporteur on the Role of EU Policies in Shaping the European Sport Model. Keynote speeches were also provided by David Evangelista, President and Managing Director of the Special Olympics Europe Eurasia, Shanaia Xuereb, Maltese Special Olympics athlete. The closing remarks of the event were offered by Georg Häusler, Director of Culture, Creativity and Sport of the European Commission.
During the two-day event, EAS joined the Commissioner and the Members of the Sport Unit of the European Commission, the representatives of the European Parliament, national sports ministers, Olympic committees, sport federations, international sports organisations, and elite athletes in debating the challenges, the opportunities, and the future of the European sport policy and collaboration.
On March 31, 2025, around 70 participants attended the 15th EAS online Cafè “From talent identification to talent support” organized in cooperation with the consortium of the ERASMUS+Sport TALENT (Cloud-based education for creative sport talents- 101090147) project.
The Cafè was moderated by Prof. Antonio Figueiredo, EAS ExCom Mamber and expert scholar on talent identification, who welcomed the participants and invited them to contribute before April 27, 2025 to the monograph Dual Career in School and University – Innovative Bridges between Sport and Education. Prof. Figuiredo informed also on the 2025 EAS Conference to be held in Riga (Estonia) next October 6-8, 2025.
Prof. Zoran Milanovic (University of Nis, Serbia) introduced the concept of talent in sports and presented the challenges and opportunities in talent recognition. After offering an overview of the development of the scientific research in talent recognition and selection, he envisaged future opportunities that the artificial intelligence could provide to sport staff.
Mr. Ole Keldorf (Elite Sports Academy Aarhus, Denmark) illustrated the need of a holistic mindset to dual career to sustain talented athletes and provided information on the current approach at the sports academy of Aarhus, which offers dual career paths to more than 250 athletes of 34 sports, from the 8th of the elementary school, till secondary school graduation.
Prof. Nenad Stojiljkovic (University of Nis, Serbia), presented the aims and journey of the ERASMUS+Sport “TALENT” project, which has led to the TALENT Guidelines for coaches and teachers to recognize talented children; for teachers to support the development of talented students; for parents to nurture their children’s talents; for sports clubs to enhance support mechanisms for the dual career development of talented athletes; and for decision makers to develop educational institutions supporting dual careers for talented athletes.
TALENT is funded by the European Union (101090147). Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
On March 27, 2025, the Sports School PESG (Croatia), coordinator of the ERASMUS+Sport project Smart Start for Dual Career (101133555), organized an online Team meeting to discuss the progression of the key elements for supporting the development of dual careers of young student athletes (14 – 19) through strengthening their transversal/transferable skills. The joint effort of
PEGS, Margherita Sport e Vita – MSV, MindSpin, Champions Factory, Turkish Ministry of Education, and EAS is to finalize the development of new MOOC educational contents and the self-evaluation questionnaire for youth athletes as students.
The Smart Start for Dual Career Team will meet in person in Sofia (Bulgaria) at the end of April 2025.
The Smart Start for DC project is funded by the European Union and coordinated by PEGS. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Neither the European Union nor EACEA can be held responsible for them.
REG. NUMBER: Voluntary Organisation registration VO/1270
PIC NUMBER: 913459865
Email: info@dualcareer.eu