European Universities

What are European Universities?

As from the 2019, a new concept of financing European Universities has been introduced in the Erasmus + programme. This scheme is now an integral part of the Partnerships for Excellence under Key Action 2, and applications are submitted directly to the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA).

European universities are partnerships of at least 3 higher education institutions from 3 different countries including EU Member States, third countries associated to the Programme and Western Balkans third countries not associated to the Programme.

After the success achieved in the two pilot Calls, in the new Erasmus+ programme 2021-2027, European Universities are becoming a regular funding scheme.

Are there any specific topic for these projects?

In the Call 2023, there are two topics within European Universities:

Topic 1. European Universities – Intensification of prior deep institutional transnational cooperation – this topic of the call will support existing alliances for comprehensive institutional international cooperation, including – but not limited to – alliances of European Universities selected under the Erasmus+ call published in 2020. The aim is to build on existing institutional cooperation and further deepen, intensify and expand efficiency of existing cooperation, in order to advance the process of transformation of higher education towards fully developed European universities. Within this topic, it is possible to apply also for the expansion of the existing partnership by increasing the number of partner institutions.

Topic 2. European Universities – Development of new deep institutional transnational cooperation– this topic of the call will provide support to the applicants wishing to establish a new comprehensive institutional transnational cooperation in the new alliance of European Universities.

How European Universities are funded?

Within these projects, financial support is granted in the form of lump sums. Maximum lump sum costs are determined based on the number of higher education institutions on the project.

Funds from the allocated budget can cover a maximum of 80% of the costs envisaged by the project.

What is the maximum budget that can be allocated per project?

A maximum project budget under Topic 1 without extension of the partnership and under Topic 2: between 3.24 million euros (for 3 higher education institutions that are full partners in the project) to 14.4 million euros (for 9 or more higher education institutions that are full partners in the project).

Maximum project budget under Theme 1 with the expansion of the partnership: between 8 million euros (to increase from 3 to 5 higher education institutions that are full partners in the project) to 12.80 million euros (to increase to 8 higher education institutions that are full partners in the project).

What is the total budget for this program?

For Topic 1: 345.6 milion euros        

For Topic 2: 38.4 milion euros

Who can participate in the project?   

Applicants (coordinator and full partners), as well as associated partners, can be all public or private higher education institutions from EU Member States, third countries associated with the Programme and from Western Balkan countries not associated to the Programme. HEIs from all those countries must be holders of the Erasmus Charter for Higher Education (ECHE). For this reason, the Call for applications for ECHE is from 2022 also open for the HEIs from Western Balkan region.

Non-academic partners, as well as institutions from third countries not associated to the Programme, excluding those from Western Balkan region, may participate as associate partners without a share of the budget.

What is the minimum number of partner institutions on the project?

Minimum 3 eligible higher education institutions from 3 different eligible countries – EU Member States, third countries associated to the Programme and Western Balkans third countries not associated to the Programme.

Note: one higher education institution can be a full partner in only one project of this type, while in others it can be an associate partner.

What is the duration of the project?  

The projects last 48 months.

To whom the project application is submitted?  

Applications are submitted through the web portal of the European Education and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). Each of the two topics has a separate application system.

Topic 1: here

Topic 2:here

What is the deadline for application?

Information on the deadline for submitting project applications within the current Call for proposals can be found on our page Calendar of Calls.

More information can be found here.

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