Erasmus+ Increases Funds Allocated to University Alliances From €5 Million to €14.4 Million

According to a press release by the latter, a budget of €272 million will be allocated to the European Universities initiative, out of which 44 European Universities with 340 higher education institutions in 31 countries are expected to benefit by cooperating on education, research, and innovation, AtoZSerwisPlus.com reports.

European Universities are transnational alliances of about nine higher education institutions that can include different fields of study such as comprehensive and research universities, universities of applied sciences, institutes of technology, schools of arts, and higher vocational education and training institutions while covering wider geographic regions across Europe.

Each alliance will receive a €14.4 million fund from Erasmus+, to be utilised for a four-year period. This represents a strong increase compared to the €5 million fund for three years, as it was applicable for the previous Erasmus+ calls.

“By linking them [Europe’s higher education institutions] and creating transnational alliances, we allow them to become European Champions of knowledge; to grow even further through cooperation on education, research, and innovation. I am convinced that together, the European Universities will bring higher education in Europe to a new level,” Vice-President Margaritas Schinas said while congratulating the applicants.

Mariya Gabriel, the Commissioner for Innovation, Research, Culture, Education, and Youth, also applauded the successful applicants, saying the act is bringing campuses together by offering mobility as well as creating knowledge together.

This year’s call was focused on two main topics; providing sustainable funding for existing alliances of higher education institutions to reach their long-term goals, while the other topic was supporting the creation of new European Universities across the region in order to establish diverse higher education institutions coming together for strategic visions.

In collaboration with 24 alliances selected in 2020, a total of 44 European Universities now include 340 higher education institutions in 31 countries, as well as other Member States, Turkey, Iceland, Norway, and Serbia. In addition, the 2022 Erasmus+ call now accepts associated partners from Bologna Process countries, which can include countries like Ukraine, the United Kingdom, and Switzerland.

By bringing together about 1,300 associated partners from different NGOs, cities, enterprises, and regional authorities, the European Universities are able to increase the quality of higher education institutions across the EU.

As per alliances, in the fall of 2022, the Commission will launch the next call of Erasmus+ for proposals, aiming at funding more existing alliances in order to create new ones.