What Is Erasmus+?
Erasmus+ is the European Union's flagship programme for education, training, youth, and sport. Running through the 2021–2027 programming period with a significantly expanded budget compared to its predecessor, Erasmus+ supports individuals and organisations in building skills, fostering international cooperation, and driving innovation in education systems across Europe and beyond.
The programme is open to participants from EU member states as well as many partner countries worldwide, making it one of the most inclusive international education initiatives in existence.
Who Can Benefit?
Erasmus+ is designed for a wide range of stakeholders:
- Students at higher education and vocational education institutions
- Teachers, trainers, and educators seeking professional development
- School staff including headteachers and administrative personnel
- Youth workers and non-formal education practitioners
- Organisations such as schools, universities, NGOs, and training centres
Key Action Areas
Erasmus+ is structured around three main "Key Actions":
Key Action 1 (KA1): Learning Mobility
KA1 funds individuals to study, train, or work abroad. For educators, this includes:
- Short-term job shadowing at a partner institution abroad
- Structured training courses in another EU country
- Teaching assignments at a partner school or university
Key Action 2 (KA2): Cooperation Among Organisations
KA2 supports partnerships between organisations to develop innovative practices and share knowledge. Common project types include:
- Partnerships for Cooperation (formerly Strategic Partnerships)
- Alliances for Innovation — connecting industry and education
- European Universities initiative for integrated higher education
Key Action 3 (KA3): Support for Policy Development
KA3 funds projects that directly support the development and implementation of EU education policies, including youth dialogue and civil society cooperation.
How to Apply
Applications are managed through National Agencies in each participating country. The general process is:
- Identify the relevant action and call for proposals on the Erasmus+ official website
- Find or form a consortium of partner organisations (for KA2 projects)
- Register your organisation in the EU Funding & Tenders Portal and obtain a PIC number
- Complete the online application form before the published deadline
- Await evaluation results — typically 3–4 months after the deadline
What Costs Are Covered?
Erasmus+ uses a system of lump sums and unit costs rather than reimbursing individual receipts. Depending on the action and destination country, grants typically cover:
- Travel costs between home and host country
- Accommodation and subsistence during the mobility period
- Organisational support for coordinating institutions
- Project management and dissemination costs (for KA2)
Tips for a Successful Application
- Align your project with the current EU education priorities (digital transformation, inclusion, green transition)
- Demonstrate the added value of European cooperation — what couldn't be achieved nationally?
- Plan for sustainability: how will results live on after funding ends?
- Contact your National Agency early — they offer free guidance to applicants
Getting Started
The best first step is to visit your country's Erasmus+ National Agency website, attend an information webinar, and connect with other educators who have successfully run Erasmus+ projects. The programme has transformed professional practice for thousands of educators across Europe — and it could do the same for you.