Erasmus+ is crucial for meeting these priorities through its support for cooperation between Member States and between Higher Education institutions in different countries. In this regard, the Programme aims to:

Promote and strengthen strategic and structured cooperation between Higher Education institutions by:

a) Supporting the development of various types of cooperation models, including virtual and blended cooperation and the use of different digital tools and online platforms;
b) Enhancing mobility through the automatic recognition of qualifications and learning outcomes, also incorporating mobility into curricula;
c) Supporting Higher Education institutions in implementing the Bologna principles and tools to increase mobility for all;
d) Assisting Higher Education institutions in developing and implementing education for environmental sustainability.

Stimulate innovative learning and teaching practices to address social challenges, by supporting:

a) The development of learner-oriented and student-centred learning outcomes that better meet learning needs and reduce mismatches in skills relevant to the labour market and society at large;
b) The development, testing, and implementation of flexible learning pathways and modular course design (part-time, online, or blended) and appropriate forms of assessment, including the development of online assessment;
c) The promotion of lifelong learning in Higher Education, including the validation and recognition of short courses;
d) The implementation of transdisciplinary approaches and innovative pedagogies;
e) The promotion of women’s participation and training in STEM fields, especially in engineering, ICT, and advanced digital skills;
f) The integration of sustainability content into all student curricula, including the protection and responsible use of resources in line with the Green Deal priorities.

Reward excellence in learning, teaching, and skills development by:

a) Developing strategies to reward and encourage excellence in teaching, including online teaching;
b) Training in new and innovative pedagogical practices;
c) Promoting learning and teaching partnerships.

Build inclusive Higher Education systems through inclusive approaches to mobility and cooperation activities, such as:

a) Increasing access, participation, and completion rates for people with fewer opportunities;
b) Actively supporting participants in finding accommodation, including promoting suitable and affordable options;
c) Supporting the development of flexible career pathways between education and research;
d) Promoting gender balance in Higher Education institutions, both in study areas and leadership positions;
e) Encouraging civic engagement through promoting informal learning and extracurricular activities of students and their recognition.

Support digital capabilities in Higher Education institutions by implementing suitable tools for data management and developing digital skills among students and staff.

Applications

Applications must be submitted in accordance with the guidelines of the Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA). The last call for applications was in April 2021. A new call for applications is expected to open from the end of February 2022.

Quality

The Erasmus Charter for Higher Education (ECHE) ensures the quality of mobility and international cooperation activities that Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) may undertake under the Erasmus+ Programme. It involves subscribing to a set of fundamental principles and publicly committing to an institutional internationalisation strategy through the Programme (DPE – Erasmus Policy Statement).

Mandatory Requirement

The award of the Erasmus Charter for Higher Education (ECHE) is a requirement for all Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) located in Member States and third countries associated with the Erasmus+ Programme, wishing to apply for and participate in individual mobility activities for learning and/or cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices under the Programme.

International Relations

The ECHE is not required for Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) from third countries not associated with the Erasmus+ Programme, as the quality framework is established through inter-institutional agreements between them and HEIs from Member States and third countries associated with the Programme.

Duration

Once obtained, the accreditation guaranteed by the ECHE is valid for the entire duration of the current phase of the Erasmus+ Programme (2021-2027).

Monitoring

The application of the Charter will be monitored by the National Agency, and any violation of its principles and/or commitments by Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) may lead to its withdrawal by the EACEA and/or the European Commission.

Student mobility can occur from any Programme Country to any other Programme Country or to any Partner Country in any field and cycle of studies (CTeSP / Bachelor’s / Master’s / Doctorate).

Study Period: A study period abroad at a partner Higher Education institution must be part of the student’s study programme in the home country, aiming to complete the cycle of studies being undertaken. A study period abroad may also include an internship.
Internship Period: (work experience, professional internship) in a company, research institute, laboratory, organisation, or any other relevant workplace abroad, in any cycle of studies.

Doctoral candidates and recent graduates (in post-doctoral studies) can undertake short or long-term physical mobility periods abroad for study or internships.

Staff mobility can occur from any Programme Country to any other Programme Country or to any Partner Country.

• Teaching Period: Abroad at a partner Higher Education institution. Staff from a Higher Education institution can teach at a partner Higher Education institution abroad, in any field of study/training. Staff from a company in any sector may be invited to teach at a Higher Education institution in the Programme.
• Training Period: Abroad at a partner Higher Education institution, a company, or any other relevant workplace. Staff from a Higher Education institution can participate in training activities abroad that are relevant to their daily work at the institution.

Blended mobility is a combination of physical mobility with a virtual component. Any period of study or internship abroad, including doctoral mobility, can be undertaken in the form of blended mobility. Any student can participate in blended mobility activities through a mixed intensive programme.

Higher education students (short cycle, first, second or third cycle) and recent graduates (up to 12 months after completing their studies).

Teaching and non-teaching staff from Higher Education institutions, and experts from companies invited to teach at a Higher Education institution in a Programme Country.

Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) established in a Programme Country holding the Erasmus Charter for Higher Education (CEES/ECHE Erasmus Charter for Higher Education).

Coordinating organisations of consortia established in a Programme Country that coordinate a consortium that has been awarded an Erasmus accreditation for higher education mobility consortia. For consortia, organisations that do not hold a valid consortium accreditation may apply for this certification on behalf of the consortium while applying for a mobility grant. Teaching and non-teaching staff from Higher Education institutions, and specialists from companies invited to teach at a Higher Education institution in a Programme Country.

FOR STUDENTS

• Mobility for Studies and/or Internships: Duration between 2 and 12 months.
• Mobility for Studies and/or Internships for Doctoral Candidates: 5 to 30 days or 2 to 12 months.

FOR STAFF

• Mobility for Teaching and/or Training: Duration between 2 days and 2 months.

Mobilidade para Ensino e/ou Formação de Países do Programa para Países Parceiros: Duração entre 5 dias e 2 meses.

These are short, intensive programmes that employ innovative methods of learning and teaching, including online cooperation.

Groups of higher education institutions collaboratively develop curricula and blended mobility activities for students, as well as for academic and administrative staff.

During these blended intensive programmes, groups of students or staff undertake a short-term physical mobility abroad, combined with a mandatory virtual component.

Eligible Participating Organisations:

• At least 3 Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) holding the ECHE from 3 different countries.
• Any other Higher Education institution or organisation from a Programme Country.

Duration:

• Physical Mobility: Between 5 and 30 days.
• The duration of the virtual component is not defined, but combined virtual and physical mobility must award at least three ECTS credits to students.

• Students: Enrolled in a Higher Education Institution (HEI) and pursuing studies leading to a recognised diploma or other tertiary qualification.
• Staff: Working at a HEI in a Programme Country.
• Teaching Staff and Trainers: Involved in programme delivery, including staff working at a HEI in a Programme Country and those invited to teach at a HEI in a Programme Country from any company or public or private organisation operating in a Programme Country.

Erasmus+ has a strong international dimension in its mobility, cooperation, and political dialogue activities. A key element in helping European organisations address global challenges arising from globalisation, climate change, and digital transition is the intensification of international mobility and cooperation with third countries, thereby reinforcing the European Union’s role as a global player.

• International Credit Mobility (ICM) supports the mobility of individuals enrolled or working at a Higher Education Institution (HEI) from a Programme Country to a Partner Country or vice versa, including:
  • Student Mobility:
    • Can be undertaken in any field and cycle of studies (short cycle/bachelor’s/master’s/doctorate) and is open to recent graduates.
    • Physical mobility can last from 2 to 12 months or between 5 and 30 days if part of a blended mobility (online + physical).
    • Can involve a period of study at a Higher Education Institution (HEI) or an internship at a company, research institute, laboratory, organisation, or any other relevant workplace.
  • Staff Mobility:
    • Can be undertaken by teaching and non-teaching staff from higher education institutions and also includes invitations to company experts (outside a Higher Education Institution).
    • Mobility can last from 5 days to 2 months.
    • Can involve a teaching mission at a partner Higher Education Institution (HEI) or a training mission, such as a training event abroad (e.g., job shadowing, observation periods, structured training, etc.).

A cooperation partnership is transnational and aims to develop initiatives focused on one or more areas of education and training. It involves at least three organisations from three Programme countries. Its main objectives are:

• To enhance the quality of work and practices of institutions;
• To enable institutions for transnational work and cross-sectoral cooperation;
• To facilitate the connection between political priorities and projects;
• To support change, transformation, innovation, and the achievement of tangible and transferable results;
• To make project structures more flexible and simplify language/terminology.

Students, teaching, and non-teaching staff from Higher Education Institutions:

Mobility for Training Activities:

• Students participating in blended mobility;
• Students, teaching staff, and invited experts involved in intensive study programmes;
• Teaching staff undertaking teaching or training missions.

Organisations linked to Higher Education in any field of education and training; organisations involved in Higher Education that engage in cross-sectoral activities (e.g., companies, chambers of commerce, NGOs); any organisation established in a Programme Country.

Organisations from Partner Countries may participate as partners (but not as applicants) provided their participation adds value to the project. Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) established in Programme Countries must hold an Erasmus Charter.

(CEES ou ECHE Erasmus Charter for Higher Education) válida.