GENERAL INFORMATION ABOUT THE ERASMUS + PROGRAM

Erasmus + is the EU program for education, training, youth and sport for the period 2014-2020. Education, training, youth and sport can make a major contribution to tackling socio-economic change, the main challenges faced by Europe by the end of the decade and the implementation of the European Agenda for growth, jobs, equity and social inclusion.

The Erasmus + program is based on the achievements of over 25 years of European programs in the fields of education, training and youth, covering a range of both intra-European and international cooperation. Erasmus + is the result of the integration of the following European programs implemented by the Commission over the period 2007-2013: Lifelong Learning, Youth in Action, Erasmus Mundus, Tempus, Alpha, Edulink, Cooperation Programs with industrialized countries.

In the field of higher education, Erasmus + supports the following main actions aimed at cooperation with partner countries:

• International mobility of individuals and Joint Master Program programs (under key action 1) to promote the mobility of staff and trainees coming from and to partner countries;
• Capacity Building Projects in Higher Education (under key action 2) to promote cooperation and partnerships that impact on the modernization and internationalization of higher education institutions and systems in partner countries, with a special focus on partner countries neighboring EU;
• Support for strategic dialogue (under key action 3) through the network of experts in higher education reform in partner countries neighboring the EU, international alumni association, strategic dialogue with partner countries and international attraction and promotion events;
• Jean Monnet activities to stimulate learning, research and reflection in the field of European Union studies around the world.

In the field of higher education The Erasmus + program includes the following actions:

Key Action 1: Learning Mobility of Individuals

This key action supports:

• Mobility of students and academic staff, as well as of administrative staff in higher education institutions;
• Erasmus Mundus Joint Masters Programs: Integrated, advanced-level international study programs offered by consortia of higher education institutions that provide full-time scholarships for full-time study programs to the world's top masters students

Key Action 2: Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices

This key action supports:

• Knowledge alliances between higher education institutions and enterprises, aimed at stimulating innovation, entrepreneurship, creativity, professional insertion, knowledge sharing and / or teaching and multidisciplinary learning;
• Capacity building projects supporting cooperation with partner countries in the fields of higher education and youth. Capacity building projects aim to support organizations / institutions and systems in their modernization and internationalization process. Certain types of capacity building projects support mobility activities to the extent that they contribute to the objectives of the project; and so on

Useful Links:

• http://ec.europa.eu/programmes/erasmus-plus/sites/erasmusplus/files/files/resources/erasmus-plus-programme-guide_en.pdf
• http://ec.europa.eu/education/opportunities/higher-education/study-mobility_en.htm

Key Action 3: Support for policy reform

Key Action 3 provides grants for a wide variety of actions aimed at stimulating innovative policy development, policy dialogue and implementation, and the exchange of knowledge in the fields of education, training and youth. The majority of them are managed by the EACEA. Most of the actions under KA3 are managed outside the annual general call for proposals.

The three main instruments that are managed through specific calls for proposals published on this website:

• Initiatives for policy innovation giving support to forward-looking cooperation projects on policy developments and European policy experimentations led by high level organisations and public authorities to stimulate innovative policies and prepare their implementation;
• Civil Society Cooperation providing support to European NGOs and EU-wide networks active in the fields of education, training and youth with the aim of raising the awareness about European policies and to boost the cooperation with the public authorities.

Funds are also allocated to a range of calls for tender and restricted calls

• Studies and surveys with the aim to increase the knowledge in the fields of education, training and youth through the collection of evidence and analysis;
• European policy tools improving the recognition of skills, qualifications and diplomas by facilitating the transfer of credits, and supporting skills management and guidance, the Bologna process and the quality assurance, etc;
• Cooperation with international organisations to foster policy dialogue with partner countries, to promote international attractiveness of European Higher Education in the world and to support the network of Higher Education Reform Experts in partner Countries neighbouring the EU,
• Stakeholder dialogue, policy and programme promotion, to raise awareness about EU policies by supporting dialogue and policy promotion with public authorities, providers and stakeholders in the field of education, training and youth.

Useful Links: https://eacea.ec.europa.eu/erasmus-plus/actions/support-for-policy-reforms_en

Jean Monnet

What is the aim of Jean Monnet Activities?

Jean Monnet Activities are designed to promote excellence in teaching and research in the field of European Union studies worldwide. The activities also foster the dialogue between the academic world and policy-makers, in particular with the aim of enhancing governance of EU policies.

European Union studies comprise the study of Europe in its entirety with particular emphasis on the European integration process in both its internal and external aspects. The discipline also covers the role of the EU in a globalised world and in promoting an active European citizenship and dialogue between people and cultures.

What types of activities are supported?

• Teaching and Research: Jean Monnet Modules, Chairs and Centres of Excellence.
• Support to Associations: Jean Monnet support to Associations.
• Policy debate with the Academic World: Jean Monnet Networks and Jean Monnet Projects.

Key activities include courses, research, conferences, networking activities, and publications in the field of EU studies.

What are the outcomes foreseen?

For participants directly or indirectly:

• enhanced employability and improved career prospects for young graduates, by including or reinforcing a European dimension in their studies;
• increased interest in understanding and participating in the European Union, leading to a more active citizenship;
• support for young researcher (i.e. who have obtained a PhD degree in the last five years) and professors who want to carry out research and teaching on EU subjects;
• increased opportuntities for academic staff in terms of professionals and career development.

For participating organisations:

• increased capacity to teach and research on EU matters;
• increased allocation of financial resources to teaching and research on EU subjects within the institution;
• more modern, dynamic, committed and professional environment inside the organisation; ready to integrate good practices and new EU subjects into didactic programmes and initiatives, open to synergies with other organisations.

Who can take part?

Opportunities are available to higher education institutions worldwide. Furthermore certain actions are open to organizations active in the European Union subject area and associations of professors and researchers specialising in European Union Studies.

Individuals cannot apply for a grant.

Jean Monnet Activities are described in detail in the Erasmus+ Programme Guide and are part of the General Call for proposals.

Useful Links: https://eacea.ec.europa.eu/erasmus-plus/actions/jean-monnet_en