EUA is a promoter and supporter of the EU’s Erasmus+ programme, which is of vital importance for its members. One of Europe’s most successful initiatives, Erasmus+ is of high importance for the European higher education community. It enables cooperation within Europe, with the EU Neighbourhood and beyond, and provides opportunities for millions of Europeans and international students to study and gain work experience abroad. Thus, it enhances the quality and international standing of European higher education and its contribution to society.
The Association is very active in working with EU policy makers to ensure that the programme and its successors have the very best design possible, as well as sufficient funding. EUA, through feedback from its many members, gathers data and analyses what works and what needs improvement in the programme.
EUA has provided input to the design of the new generation of the Erasmus+ programme (2021-27). The Association has continuously advocated for policy makers to match the success of the programme with funding. It has also pushed for increased inclusion and equitable participation, as well as more simplification in order to decrease the bureaucratic burden, and thus workloads and additional costs.
On the funding side, EUA promotes its recommendations through the EU funding for universities campaign.
As European leaders work towards an agreement on the European Union’s next seven-year budget, the Multiannual Financial Framework, and the related Next Generation EU recovery plan to help the EU’s economy back on its feet, EUA and 14 partner university associations reiterate the urgent need to invest in research, innovation and education to achieve long-term, sustainable recovery and strategic resilience.
The European Commission’s new proposal for the next seven-year budget of the European Union together with the Next Generation EU recovery plan falls short of much needed investment in research, innovation and education.
The Erasmus Student Network (ESN), the largest student organisation supporting student mobilities in 44 European and Asian countries, has launched a new edition of its flagship research project, the ESNsurvey. The data collection is open from 29 May until 31 July, and it targets students who...
view moreTo properly measure the progress of the European Universities Initiative, a holistic approach that...
read moreFollowing the publication of the first version of the 2023 Erasmus+ Programme in November 2022, a new version of the document was published in December 2022. An integral part of the 2023 Erasmus+ Call for Proposals, the amended Programme Guide includes a new sector-specific priority in the...
view moreAs the European Universities Initiative moves into a new phase, EUA has taken stock of its impact...
read moreThe fourth European Universities call under the Erasmus+ programme is now open for submissions. Similarly to the last call, the 2023 call will foster existing and new deep transnational cooperation of higher education institutions in Europe. Already established alliances from 2020 have the...
view moreThe European Commission has launched a new Erasmus+ call for proposals to pilot a joint European degree label and test institutionalised EU cooperation instruments, such as a possible European legal status for alliances. These initiatives were announced in the European strategy for...
view moreStudents and higher education institutions in several countries are reporting problems with the allocation of mobility grants under the new generation of the Erasmus+ programme (2021-2027). While the launch of the programme promised a steep increase in funding to support student mobility, Key...
view moreOn 30 November, the European Commission published the 2022 call for proposals for alliances under the European Universities Initiative. The call is part of the Erasmus+ programme action “Partnerships of Excellence” and has an overall budget of €272 million that is split into two lots. The first...
view moreOn 15 November, the European Parliament and Council of the EU reached an agreement on the size and allocation of next year’s budget. Striking the deal was important, as failure to do so would have required the Commission to release a new proposal, significantly delaying the process. The outcome...
view moreThe European Commission and the European Research Executive Agency (REA) organise the online event “European Green Deal Cluster Event” on 6 and 7 July 2021. Registrations are now open and free of charge. The event will bring together excellent projects and researchers funded under the Marie...
view moreThe TPG-LRC project, aimed at promoting the implementation of procedures compliant with the Lisbon Recognition Convention, has published a guide for higher education institutions. TPG-LRC stands for “Thematic Peer Group B on the Lisbon Recognition Convention” and the project has been coordinated...
view moreOn 17 May 2021, the Education Ministers of EU member states adopted Council Conclusions on the European Universities Initiative. The Council Conclusions come at a crucial point as the mid-term evaluation of the first 17 alliances is approaching and important decisions will soon have to be made...
view moreThe STREAM online training platform, which provides training materials based on the European Recognition Manual for Higher Education Institutions (EAR-HEI manual), is open for a second round of training. The platform is specifically geared towards admissions officers working in higher...
view moreThe Welsh Government announced the new International Learning Exchange programme following the UK Government’s decision to withdraw from the Erasmus+ scheme for the 2021 – 2027 period. The new programme will offer opportunities to learners, young people, educators, and staff from the 2022/2023...
view moreThis EUA policy input aims to inform the upcoming European Commission Communication on a global...
read moreThe Erasmus Student Network (ESN) launched their yearly ESNsurvey, the largest European-wide research project conducted solely by volunteers working to advocate for the improvement of exchange programmes and education in Europe. The deadline to participate is 31 January. This year’s edition of...
view moreEurope’s universities, in the European Union and neighbouring countries including the United Kingdom, are pleased to see that an agreement on the EU-UK future relationship has been reached. The European family of universities sees the result as a solid basis to continue and enhance our...
view moreThe “Spotlight on recognition” project has launched a series of activities and opportunities to engage. The project, co-funded by Erasmus+, is coordinated by EUA and will be of interest to higher education professionals and other stakeholders working in the field of recognition. The...
view moreAfter the longest negotiations ever on the seven-year EU budget, member states managed to find a compromise at the European summit on 10 December to overcome the veto of Hungary and Poland. The two countries had contested the mechanism linking the disbursement of EU funds to the respect...
view moreThe new European Commission “Action Plan on Integration and Inclusion” frames migrant integration under the overarching theme of “Inclusion for all”. Like the previous plan, there is a strong emphasis on the role of education and training (particularly early education) in the integration of...
view moreThis summer, EUA launched the new Erasmus+ co-funded “Spotlight on recognition” project. It aims to support higher education staff responsible for recognition processes and decisions by enhancing their capacities in terms of recognition procedures in compliance with the Lisbon Recognition...
view moreThe European Parliament and EU Council negotiating team finally agreed on the EU’s multiannual financial framework, a process made more complex than ever this time due to the pandemic and the related new recovery package, the difficulties of striking a deal among member states, and the strongly...
view moreThe presidents of the German Rectors’ Conference (HRK), Universities Austria (UNIKO) and the Association of Universities in the Netherlands (VSNU), all EUA members, have published a common statement urging governments to recognise the value of education, research and innovation in the EU...
view moreThe European Parliament met on 23 July in an extraordinary plenary session to adopt a resolution declaring that it does not accept the budget deal made by EU leaders on 21 July. EUA welcomes the resolution and supports the European Parliament in its call for more funding for research, innovation...
view moreEuropean leaders meet this week on 17-18 July with the goal of reaching an agreement on the European Union’s next seven-year budget and the related recovery plan to help the EU’s economy back on its feet. On this occasion, EUA and 14 partner university associations reiterate the urgent need to...
view moreIn the European Commission’s latest proposal for the EU’s next seven-year budget, Erasmus+ is projected to be funded with 24.6 billion euros. While this would represent an increase of 3.4 billion compared to the 2014-2020 programme, EUA has expressed concern in a statement that the amount will not...
view moreAs negotiations regarding the EU-UK future relations enter a critical phase, EUA calls on both parties to look for compromise and not to lose sight of a key element of the big picture, which is that continued cooperation in research, innovation and education is highly beneficial for all...
view moreAs the European Commission released its new proposal for the next seven-year budget of the European Union, the academic community nourished hope that, in the few past months, it had become clear to policymakers just how fundamental adequate investment in research, innovation and education is to...
view moreESN, the Erasmus Student Network, has launched the Erasmus+ ‘Social Inclusion and Engagement in Mobility’ (SIEM) project, a collaborative cross-European partnership between ESN, UUKi and the European University Foundation, YES Forum, Vrije Universiteit Brussel (BE), University of Vigo (ES),...
view moreNuffic, the Dutch organisation for internationalisation in education, published three final outcomes of the Erasmus+ project AR-Net, which focuses on further improving recognition in Europe, for instance by exploring portability of recognition decisions. The publications are: The European...
view moreThe European Students Union (ESU), the Erasmus Student Network (ESN) and the European University Foundation (EUF) are launching a proposal for a baseline mobility grant of 500€/month from 2021 onwards. The #Erasmus500 Declaration builds upon a DAAD proposal from 2019 and is aimed at addressing...
view moreThe Centre for East European and International studies (ZOiS) published a report entitled "Higher Education in Europe’s Unrecognized Territories: Challenges and Opportunities", co-authored by Thomas de Waal and Sabine von Löwis. The report looks in detail at the universities in Abkhazia,...
view moreThe coronavirus pandemic has implications for student and staff mobility and projects funded by EU programmes such as Erasmus+ and Horizon 2020. Several application deadlines for Erasmus+ have been extended. Furthermore, the Commission announced to apply maximum flexibility in the...
view moreBuilding synergies between education, research and innovation across disciplines is crucial to...
read moreEUA has recently conducted a study on the implementation of International Credit Mobility towards disadvantaged students for the European Commission. Under the Support and Promotion for Higher Education Reform Experts initiative (SPHERE), the study addresses the capacity of the Erasmus+ programme...
view moreEuropean Council President Charles Michel called a special European Summit on 20 February to discuss the Multiannual Financial Framework. The negotiations of this seven-year budget are down to the wire and will determine the future of key programmes like Horizon Europe and Erasmus+. EUA...
view moreUNA Europa, a strategic alliance of eight EUA member universities from across Europe, is celebrating the launch of its project 1Europe with an event in Brussels on 22 January. The consortium composed of KU Leuven, Complutense University of Madrid, the University of Edinburgh, FU Berlin, the...
view moreOn 7 November the first 17 alliances of the European Universities Initiative were launched in Brussels in the presence of some 800 representatives of universities, university associations, student, national ministries and the European Commission. EUA President Michael Murphy addressed the...
view moreOn 8 November, the first ever joint meeting of member state education and finance ministers at EU level took place in Brussels. Discussions circled around the contribution of education and training to long-term sustainable growth and policies strengthening the efficiency and effectiveness of...
view moreThe Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education (NOKUT) organises the final dissemination seminar of the Erasmus+ Refugees and Recognition – Toolkit 2 (REACT) project on 17 January 2020 in Brussels. The project has identified possible pathways for the admission of refugee students in...
view moreThe Erasmus+ Refugee Education Initiatives (REIs) consortium has launched a call for papers for a workshop on “Exploring European Experiences in Providing Higher Education for Refugees and Asylum Seekers”, taking place at Central European University, Budapest, on 19-20 March 2020. Papers from...
view moreThe Norwegian Agency for Quality Assurance in Education (NOKUT) organises a webinar on 19 November from 12:00 to 14:00 to present the results of the testing performed at higher education institutions in Norway, the Netherlands, Germany, Italy and Ireland. The webinar is organised within the...
view moreMariya Gabriel, Commissioner-designate for Innovation and Youth, was well-received during her official hearing in the European Parliament on 30 September. As the College of Commissioners awaits final approval, Gabriel has already begun meetings with key stakeholders. This week she sat down with...
view moreThe European Commission is organising an event on the European Universities Initiative on 7 November 2019 in Brussels. It will be the kick-off for the 17 European university alliances that were selected through the first pilot call and an occasion to present their projects to the public. In an...
view moreEurope’s universities welcome the newly-unveiled list of proposed EU commissioners and their portfolios. The College of Commissioners and their areas proposed by President-elect Ursula von der Leyen point to a fresh and ambitious approach for the next five years. It is particularly welcome that...
view moreOn 26 June, the European Commission announced the results of the first pilot call for “European Universities”. Out of 54 applications, 17 networks involving 114 higher education institutions from 25 countries have been selected for funding. Each of them will receive up to €5 million over...
view moreOn 19 March the Council of the EU adopted a series of legislative acts as part of its contingency preparations for a no-deal Brexit scenario, including measures concerning the Erasmus+ programme and social security coordination. These measures would allow EU students and staff currently in the...
view moreFollowing the recent launch of the European Universities Initiative under the 2019 Erasmus+ call, the Directorate General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture (DG EAC) of the European Commission and the Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA) are hosting an information...
view moreOn 30 May the European Commission released its proposal for the 2021-2027 Erasmus programme....
read moreEUA has issued a first response to the European Commission’s proposal for the EU’s next Erasmus programme. Released on 30 May, the proposal provides a solid basis for discussion on the 2021-2027 programme, including the much-needed increase in funding. The...
view moreThe European University Association (EUA) appreciates the European Commission’s proposal for the 2021-2027 EU budget and welcomes its willingness to step up investment in forwardlooking policies including research and education. EUA appreciates the Commission’s efforts to align political...
view moreThe European University Association (EUA) appreciates the European Commission’s proposal for the...
read moreUniversities and national rectors’ conferences join their voices to argue for a renewed funding commitment to research and education at the European level. Across Europe, many universities and university associations are addressing policy makers and society at large about the need...
view moreIn line with the campaign “EU funding for universities”, which gathers support from the...
read moreThe European University Association (EUA) welcomes the willingness of EU Member States to significantly increase the budget for the future Erasmus+ programme after 2020. This broad support for a strong future programme is the main outcome of the Education Council meeting on 15 February...
view moreOn 31 January 2018, the European Commission published the external midterm evaluation report of the Erasmus+ programme. The report, “Combined evaluation of Erasmus+ and predecessor programmes”, is accompanied by the Commission’s own report and a staff working paper. They provide evidence for...
view moreThe European Commission has launched a series of public consultations to ask stakeholders and citizens in which areas Europe should invest in the future. This is to prepare the next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) post-2020 which will also include the next Erasmus Programme, the Framework...
view moreEUA Members and partners are invited to voice their support and to provide feedback on a draft advocacy proposal to the EU to establish a specific grant under the Erasmus+ programme for support of the placement of scholars and students with international protection status at European higher...
view moreAhead of the mid-term review of the Erasmus+ Programme, EUA conducted a consultation of its membership. The survey was open for responses from January to March 2016. In total, 218 higher education institutions from 36 countries participated in the membership consultation on...
read moreIn September, the Council of the European Union (EU member states) formally approved its position on the EU draft budget for 2015, which has been proposed by the European Commission. The Council of the EU proposal recommends making considerable cuts to payment appropriations, notably in the areas...
read moreIf we want universities to make a leap in transnational cooperation, policymakers must take their...
read moreEUA’s Clare Phelan and Anna-Lena Claeys-Kulik take a closer look at the results of the third...
read moreEnhancing the social dimension of higher education has been a central pillar of the Bologna...
read moreAs learning pathways are increasingly international, the recognition of qualifications and credits...
read moreFrom EU funding programmes, to travel and data transfer, the pieces of the puzzle are finally...
read moreA new EUA study reveals that higher education institutions in Europe are highly engaged in...
read moreThe preservation and development of culture is part of the mission of universities. This article,...
read moreEurope’s universities are upping their game for the new decade, to meet the challenges of our...
read moreFair recognition in the European Higher Education Area can only be fully achieved if practices in...
read moreAs part of the Erasmus+ programme, the European Union launched the Master Student Loan Guarantee...
read moreIn the coming academic year, virtual mobility might be the only reliable option for some...
read moreIn the July 2019 edition of the EU-LAC Newsletter, Federica Mogherini, then the High...
read moreEurope must connect its ambition of being a digital leader with initiatives already happening at...
read moreThe Erasmus+ Programme prescribes affirmative action in favour of disadvantaged students....
read moreInvestment in research and education not only brings the highest European added value, it is also...
read moreThe European Commission’s Erasmus+ mid-term review must consider how to harness the potential of...
read moreMichael Gaebel, Director of Higher Education Policy at the European University Association,...
read moreErasmus+ as the successor of the Lifelong Learning Programme (LLP) brings a major contribution to...
read moreThere is no doubt that Erasmus+ offers an excellent range of opportunities for students and staff...
read moreThe University of Granada was very active in many of the Erasmus+ predecessor programmes and in...
read moreFor Ghent University, Erasmus+ is a vital instrument in the attainment of its strategic ambition...
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