International cooperation for excellence

The Erasmus+ Partnerships for Excellence focus on strategic international cooperation over several years. Swiss educational institutions that want to initiate a strategic change in the European and Swiss education system or in their organisation work together with colleagues at foreign educational institutions to develop possible solutions to shared systemic or institutional challenges. "European Universities" support reforms in the higher education sector, "Centres of Vocational Excellence" support reforms in the vocational education and training sector. 

What it's all about

  • Long-term strategic cooperation with relevance for the Swiss education system in collaboration with institutions abroad, mainly in Erasmus+ countries

  • For higher education institutions based in Switzerland 

  • The coordination of the overall Erasmus+ project must be carried out by an organisation in an Erasmus+ country

  • Application by a Swiss institution

  • Project duration 2-4 years

  • Application deadline usually in spring

Added value

For institutions:

  • You develop your teaching and learning offerings, e.g. new study and training courses or teaching skills adapted to labour market requirements on future topics such as green and digital change
  • You distinguish yourself with these new programmes (e.g. Joint Master's degrees)
  • You intensify your international networks and raise your international profile
  • You contribute to European education policy (European Education Area, European Higher Education and Research Area)
  • You contribute to a competitive Swiss higher education or vocational education and training area (e.g. internationalisation of Swiss vocational education and training institutions, international recognition and visibility of Swiss vocational education and training, reducing regulatory barriers to international mobility and cooperation)

Options

  • European Universities Erasmus+

    • Support for reforms in the higher education division 

    • For recognised institutions in the higher education division

    • Mainly with partner institutions in Europe

    • Next application deadline: 18 March 2026

  • Centres of Vocational Excellence Erasmus+

    • Support for reforms in vocational education and training

    • For vocational education and training providers, companies, social partners and other institutions involved in vocational education and training and the world of work

    • Mainly with partner institutions in Europe

    • The next application deadline is 17 September 2026.

Similar funding opportunities

  • International cooperation for collaboration and innovation

    International cooperations for the strategic cooperation of educational institutions.