Erasmus+ funding eligibility criteria include being an educational institution or organization from a programme or partner country, having an approved Erasmus Plan, and proposing activities aligned with EU education priorities. Applications must demonstrate clear objectives, expected outcomes, and sustainable impact. Different funding streams have specific requirements, with mobility grants being particularly accessible for schools, universities, and adult education providers seeking professional development opportunities.

What are the basic eligibility requirements for Erasmus+ funding?

To qualify for Erasmus+ funding, organizations must be legally established in an EU Member State or a non-EU Programme Country (Iceland, Liechtenstein, North Macedonia, Norway, Serbia, or Turkey). Eligible organizations include educational institutions, public bodies, non-profit organizations, and private companies active in education, training, youth, or sports sectors. The proposed activities must align with at least one of the Erasmus+ programme priorities and demonstrate European added value.

The geographical eligibility is particularly important as it determines which funding streams you can access. Programme Countries have full access to all Erasmus+ opportunities, while Partner Countries (non-EU countries not listed above) can participate in specific actions under certain conditions. For most educational mobility projects, the applicant organization must be based in a Programme Country.

Organizations must also have appropriate operational and financial capacity to implement their proposed project. This includes having stable funding sources, professional competencies, and qualified staff to manage EU grants. First-time applicants and smaller organizations can apply for smaller-scale partnerships to build experience.

Additionally, all participating organizations need to register for an Organization ID (OID) through the European Commission’s registration system before applying. This unique identifier is required for all Erasmus+ applications and simplifies future participation in the programme.

Who can apply for Erasmus+ mobility grants?

Erasmus+ mobility grants are available to a wide range of educational institutions and individuals working in education sectors. Primary applicants include schools, universities, vocational education and training (VET) providers, adult education organizations, youth organizations, and sports clubs. Each sector has specific eligibility criteria tailored to its educational context and objectives.

For school education mobility, eligible applicants include:

  • Primary and secondary schools providing general education
  • School education coordinating organizations (local authorities, school associations)
  • Teachers, school leaders, and other non-teaching staff

In higher education mobility, eligible participants are:

  • Universities and higher education institutions with an Erasmus Charter
  • Higher education students at all levels (Bachelor, Master, Doctoral)
  • Academic and administrative staff of higher education institutions
  • Higher education consortia coordinating mobility activities

For adult education mobility, applications can come from:

  • Adult education providers offering non-vocational adult education
  • Local and regional public authorities with responsibility for adult education
  • Staff members working in adult education organizations

Individual staff members cannot apply directly for funding; instead, their organizations must apply on their behalf. This institutional approach ensures that mobility activities contribute to broader organizational development and educational improvement strategies rather than just benefiting individual participants.

What documents are required for Erasmus+ funding applications?

A complete Erasmus+ funding application requires several essential documents that vary slightly depending on the action type. The foundation of any application is the application form itself, which must be submitted through the European Commission’s online submission system. This form captures project details, participant information, budget requirements, and expected outcomes.

Key required documents include:

  • Declaration of Honour signed by the legal representative of your organization
  • Mandates from all partner organizations (for partnership projects)
  • Detailed project timetable and work programme
  • Budget breakdown showing planned expenditure across different categories
  • Organization’s legal entity form and financial identification form

For mobility projects specifically, you’ll also need:

  • Erasmus Plan outlining your organization’s internationalization strategy
  • Participant selection criteria and processes
  • Risk assessment and management plan
  • Dissemination plan for sharing project results
  • Proof of previous experience (for experienced applicants)

Educational institutions applying for the first time should prepare to provide additional documentation proving their legal status and financial viability. This may include registration certificates, tax documentation, and financial statements from the previous fiscal year. Having these documents prepared well before application deadlines is crucial for a smooth submission process.

All documents must be submitted in one of the official EU languages, and translations may be required for supporting materials originally in other languages. The quality and completeness of these documents significantly impact the evaluation of your application.

How does the Erasmus+ selection process work?

The Erasmus+ selection process follows a structured evaluation procedure designed to identify the most promising and impactful projects. After submission, applications undergo an eligibility check to verify they meet basic requirements regarding deadline, completeness, and applicant eligibility. Applications passing this initial screening move to the quality assessment phase.

Quality assessment is conducted by independent experts who evaluate applications against four key criteria:

  • Relevance of the project (maximum 30 points): How well the proposal addresses Erasmus+ priorities and objectives
  • Quality of project design and implementation (maximum 30 points): Methodology, work plan clarity, and feasibility
  • Quality of partnership and cooperation arrangements (maximum 20 points): Partner selection, distribution of responsibilities, and communication methods
  • Impact and dissemination (maximum 20 points): Potential for sustainable outcomes and plans for sharing results

To be considered for funding, applications must score at least 60% of the total available points and at least 50% in each criterion. Even applications meeting these thresholds may not receive funding if the competition is particularly strong or if budget constraints limit the number of projects that can be supported.

The National Agency or Executive Agency managing the specific action makes the final selection based on expert evaluations and available budget. They may also consider geographical balance and representation of different educational sectors. Applicants typically receive notification of results within 3-4 months of the submission deadline.

Successful applicants receive a grant agreement detailing funding amounts, eligible activities, and reporting requirements. Unsuccessful applicants receive feedback on their proposal’s strengths and weaknesses, which can be valuable for improving future applications.

What are the key deadlines for Erasmus+ funding applications?

Erasmus+ funding operates on an annual cycle with specific deadlines for different actions. The primary application period typically falls between January and May each year, with most mobility project deadlines occurring in February. It’s essential to check the current Erasmus+ Programme Guide for exact dates as they may vary slightly from year to year.

Key annual deadlines generally follow this pattern:

  • Mobility projects in school education, adult education, and VET: Mid-February
  • Higher education mobility between Programme Countries: Early February
  • International higher education mobility with Partner Countries: Early February
  • Accreditation applications for education sectors: Mid-October
  • Small-scale partnerships: March and October (two rounds)
  • Cooperation partnerships: March

The application submission deadline is always 12:00 (noon) Brussels time on the specified date. Applications submitted even one minute after this deadline will not be considered, so it’s advisable to submit at least a day in advance to avoid technical issues or last-minute complications.

For organizations new to Erasmus+, we recommend beginning preparations at least 2-3 months before the deadline. This allows sufficient time to register for an OID, develop partnerships, gather required documentation, and craft a competitive proposal. Experienced applicants typically start planning their next application shortly after receiving results from their previous submission.

Organizations interested in teacher training and educational staff development should consider applying for Erasmus+ mobility grants that can fund participation in our high-quality professional development courses. With proper planning and a strong application aligned with your institution’s development goals, Erasmus+ funding can make international professional development accessible and affordable.

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