Erasmus+ Application Deadline 2023

The Erasmus+ programme is commencing its fourth European Universities call today, as announced by the European Commission.

This fresh Erasmus+ request for proposals will further extend the implementation of the European Universities scheme, boasting an unparalleled budget totalling €387.2 million.

European Universities will undertake all aspects of higher education institutions' guiding principles encompassing education, research, innovation, and societal service. These alliances employ varied models of systemic, structural and sustainable transnational cooperation, bolstering the calibre, efficiency, appeal and global competitiveness of higher education throughout Europe, thereby benefitting their students and staff, and espousing our democratic principles.

The 2023 Erasmus+ call for European Universities is accepting applications from higher education institutions across all Western Balkan countries as full partners in alliances.

Additionally, proposals that achieve high quality assessments with scores above 80 points, but fall short of funding requirements due to budget constraints, will receive a Seal of Excellence award. The seal is an accreditation that acknowledges the excellence of the relevant proposals and facilitates their pursuit of substitute funding at the national level.

Structure of the call

The call is structured around two topics:

Topic 1: intensification of prior deep institutional transnational cooperation

This call topic aims to provide support for existing deep institutional transnational cooperation alliances, such as the European Universities alliances selected under the 2020 Erasmus+ call for proposals, to build upon the current institutional cooperation and intensify and expand its effectiveness.

The ultimate goal is to advance towards the long-term vision of the 'European Universities'. New institutions of higher education have the prospect of becoming full partners in these established alliances.

Topic 2: development of new deep institutional transnational cooperation

This call topic aims to assist aspiring candidates in creating novel cross-border partnerships within the framework of the 'European Universities' coalition, thereby fostering profound institutional collaboration.

How to apply

Find the call for proposals for the 2023 Erasmus+ European Universities on the EU’s funding and tenders portal.

Deadline

The deadline for applications submission is 31 January 2023.

The call is an open competitive call based on qualitative criteria.

Save the date for the upcoming information session!

The Commission is holding an open information session for potential applicants to ask questions on the 2023 call.

This will take place on the 15 November 2022 through this webstreaming.

Background

European universities can enhance their response to societal challenges by extending the boundaries of transnational collaboration in tertiary education. This strategy elevates the standard and pertinence of competencies that withstand the test of time, guaranteeing that students, lifelong learners and scholars possess the specific abilities essential to both the green and digital transitions. Consequently, they can transform into the pioneers and creators of the forthcoming era. Furthermore, this approach has a favourable impact on innovation ecosystems and communities.

The 2023 call aims to attain the objectives stated in the Council Conclusions on the European Universities initiative [pdf] dated 17th May 2021, in addition to those specified in the European strategy for universities and the recently launched European Innovation Agenda (press release).

The 2023 Erasmus+ call builds upon the successes of the previous three calls initiated in 2019, 2020, and 2022. Currently, these calls facilitate 44 partnerships consisting of 340 higher education institutions from all over Europe.

The latest call intends to advance the initiative to meet the goal outlined in the European strategy for universities, which aims to offer assistance for 60 partnerships by mid-2024, encompassing more than 500 higher education institutions throughout Europe.

Read more about the European Universities Initiative

Note: this page was updated on 5 Jan 2023 to reflect a budget increase from €384 million to €387.2 million