European Universities Erasmus+

With the «European Universities» project format, Erasmus+ promotes excellence projects of European university networks. Higher education institutions across Europe are testing and establishing comprehensive institutional and transnational cooperation in education, research, innovation and services for the entire European Higher Education Area, which includes Switzerland. 

Next steps

For institutions:

Next application deadline: probably spring 2026

(first preliminary information)

For institutions:

Next application deadline: probably spring 2026

(first preliminary information)

Overview

For whom

  • Recognised Swiss higher education institutions 

Duration

  • Unknown, probably 2 years

Where

  • Mainly in Europe
  • Additional partner institutions worldwide possible

What we fund

  • Financial contribution to staff and material costs of the Swiss organisation up to a maximum of 60% of the project costs

What to do

  • Institutions find European partner institutions and plan the project together.
  • The HEI leadership (rector, vice-rector)submits a funding application for Swiss participation as an «associated partner» 

Deadlines

  • Application deadline unknown, 2026 at the earliest, probably with adapted funding conditions 

Next steps

For institutions:

Next application deadline: probably spring 2026

(first preliminary information)

In detail

«European Universities» strengthen strategic international cooperation in education and research and promote the mobility of students. In doing so, they are reshaping the higher education landscape. A project comprises around 9 universities and numerous other partner organisations such as cities, companies and professional associations. The strategic orientation means that university leadership is closely involved in the projects.

The «European Universities» are a prestigious flagship initiative of the European higher education strategy and are funded as part of Erasmus+. Only 65 such projects are currently being funded across Europe, and Swiss universities are involved in 12 alliances. Associated participation in an Erasmus+ project is funded by the Swiss Programme for Erasmus+. 

Strengthening international cooperation

The European Universities initiative aims to significantly deepen transnational institutional cooperation within the European Higher Education Area (EHEA) in the areas of education, research, innovation and services for society. For example 

  • the participating universities develop and implement a long-term joint education strategy,
  • they create innovative educational offers such as joint degree programmes in which students attend modules at different universities in the alliance and in which degrees are awarded jointly by the participating universities,
  • the alliances create joint structures for efficient university administration or pilot new forms of transnational employment for teaching staff, or
  • the participating universities increase the educational mobility of students and staff, creating a European inter-university campus. 

The projects are intended to help strengthen the quality and competitiveness of European higher education and to promote European values. Projects are currently funded for 4 years. However, it is expected that alliances will continue their cooperation beyond this funding period. 

The «European Universities» are also active in other missions than education, such as research. They sometimes receive additional funding for these activities. 

With their activities, the participating Swiss universities contribute to the further development of the European Higher Education and Research Area and at the same time to the Swiss education policy priorities.

Swiss institutions as associated partners of «European Universities»

Swiss institutions can participate as associated partners. The requirements of the Erasmus+ programme apply and the management is subject to an institution in an Erasmus+ programme country. Swiss institutions do not receive EU funding, but their participation can be funded via Movetia. To this end, the Swiss institution submits an application for funding for participation to Movetia in parallel with the EU application. The participation and role in the various activities must already be clearly described in the EU application.

Requirements

For institutions:

  • Officially recognised Swiss universities with accreditation in accordance with the Higher Education Funding and Coordination Act (HFKG) are eligible to apply

To the project:

  • The participation of the Swiss institution as an «associated partner» and its roles and activities are clearly identified in the Erasmus+ application.
  • The Swiss application is submitted to Movetia in parallel to the corresponding Erasmus+ application, in the same application round of the same year.
  • The funding amount is appropriate and proportionate in comparison to the EU partners and the planned activities.
  • At least 40% are own or third-party funds.
  • No double funding with other Movetia or Erasmus+ Funding opportunities.
  • Swiss participation in an Erasmus+ Cooperation Partnerships project can only be funded if the Executive Agency in Brussels (EACEA) approves the funding of the Erasmus+ project at EU level.

Funding amounts

  • A maximum of 60% of the staff and material costs of the Swiss institution/organisation that are directly related to the project. You must provide at least 40% of the project funding yourself or finance it from other sources (funding from Movetia or Erasmus+ is excluded).
  • We reserve the right to reduce the requested funds.

Funding criteria

Swiss participation in an Erasmus+ Cooperation Partnerships project can only be funded if the Executive Agency in Brussels (EACEA) approves the funding of the Erasmus+ project at EU level.

Swiss applications will be assessed against the following quality criteria, focussing on the Swiss project rather than the Erasmus+ project as a whole:

  • Relevance of the Swiss project (30%)
  • Quality of project conception & implementation (20%)
  • Project team & agreement (20%)
  • Impact & results (30%)

Procedure

The next Erasmus+ deadline for applications has not yet been set. The same applies to Swiss applications. At the moment, no applications for Swiss funding can be submitted to Movetia. We expect the next European Call to be launched at the end of 2025. It will then be decided whether Swiss institutions will be able to participate again and which funding options are possible.

First preliminary information on the call 2026 (PDF, 110 KB)

Q & A

The next Erasmus+ deadline for applications has not yet been set. The same applies to Swiss applications. At the moment, no applications for Swiss funding can be submitted to Movetia. We expect the next European Call to be launched at the end of 2025. It will then be decided whether Swiss institutions will be able to participate again and which funding options are possible.

A Swiss application must be submitted in parallel with the Erasmus+ application. Swiss funding cannot be applied for retrospectively.

Further information

  • European collaborations have a strong influence on the reputation of Swiss universities

    The reputation of Swiss universities depends, among other things, on European cooperation. This is the conclusion reached by participating universities and other institutions. Cooperation promotes the exchange of expertise, intercultural understanding and strengthen competitiveness.

    Learn more

  • Why European Universities matter - part 1

    European Universities are transforming the landscape of higher education by fostering strategic international collaboration in education and research while advancing student mobility. In a four-part series, we explore how the alliances are promoting innovative educational offers and mobility formats. In this article, we focus on the involvement of the University of Zurich in Una Europa.

    Learn more

  • Swiss higher education institutions in the Erasmus+ “European universities”

    Swiss higher education institutions were admitted to participate in Erasmus+ "European Higher Education" projects for the first time in 2022. In total, 12 Swiss higher education institutions now participate in Erasmus+ funded alliances. This corresponds to more than half of the universities and universities of applied sciences in Switzerland. All Swiss higher education institutions involved in these projects were also successful with their applications for Swiss funding.

    Learn more

Contact

Similar funding opportunities

  • International cooperation for collaboration and innovation

    International cooperations for the strategic cooperation of educational institutions.

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To all funding opportunities