CityLabs, a collaborative initiative undertaken by universities and their stakeholders (including local government units, private entities, NGOs, etc.) to develop solutions to specific challenges facing urban communities during the post-industrial transformation is the flagship initiative of the UNIC Alliance. CityLabs foster innovative, transdisciplinary approaches, engaged and robust research, as well as strengthen the role of universities as partners with cities in building a more equitable and sustainable future. You can also learn more about CityLabs in the presentation below.
Who can take part?
The UNIC Thematic Lines CityLabs Award is open to doctoral students, lecturers and researchers at the University of Lodz.
Examples of UNIC CityLabs:
- Course Integration: CityLabs in the Curriculum – RePIC CityLabs week (go to the video on YouTube)
- Engaged Research: CityLabs in UNIC4ER Seed Fund (go to content on the UNIC website)
- City-Led Challenge: Idea Competition (go to content on the UNIC website)
- Innovating and Piloting replicable Methods and Models: Blended Intensive Programme (go to content on the UNIC website)
Timeline and Selection Process
- 16 March 2026: Deadline for CityLab Award applications
- April – May 2026: Applications reviewed and final selections made by an appointed jury.
- June 2026: Awardees announced at the Istanbul conference, with invited poster presentations to showcase their CityLab.
Submission Instructions
- Applications close on 16 March 2026 (23:59 CEST).
- Submit applications to unic@ku.edu.tr with a PDF summary of the CityLab (filename format: CityLab_Name_Project_Title) and a brief statement on its innovative or impactful methodology.
- Please specify the names and institutions of the representatives from the co-lead institutions implementing the CityLabs case and the name of the Local
- Centre for City Futures Director supporting the application (for UniLodz it is Dr Małgorzata Dzimińska).
More information
More information can be found on the UNIC website – we encourage you to read the full announcement.
