Partnerships for Excellence: European Universities – European Degree exploratory action

Yes, as long as they are considered Higher Education Institutions holding a valid ECHE.

There are no differences between European Universities alliances and other applicants. The same eligibility conditions apply for all applicants (including European University alliances): they must adapt at least four existing joint programmes and design at least two new ones.

No - Only those based in EU Member States, European Economic Area countries, or associated countries to Erasmus+ can apply for this call. Other organisations active in the fields of education, training and employment from within the EHEA can participate as associated partners.

Yes, if duly justified by the planned activities. We expect that at least one partner institution involved in a joint programme that is addressed in the application is represented in the consortium.

The final payment is based on the completion of each work package as defined by the applicants in their proposals. Consortia must make all possible efforts to reach their project objectives, and if obstacles arise, to implement and report on mitigation measures. Applicants are expected to carefully select the joint programmes they plan to adapt and design, aligning with realistic objectives.

Yes, as long as they are considered as Higher Education Institutions holding a valid ECHE.

No. However, all partner universities that are involved in the proposed joint programmes must be clearly mentioned in the application part B (narrative part), even if some are not part of the consortium.

Yes. There is no specific limit in consortia composition in this call. It is up to the applicants to decide with whom they decide to apply based on the activities that can be funded under this call.

No, unless this is desired by the consortium. However, the composition of the consortium needs to be justified. For example consider a consortium composed of four partners: A, B, C and D: Partners A & B are involved in the adaptation of two joint programmes; Partners C & D are involved in the adaptation of two other joint programmes; Partners A, C & D are involved in the design of a new joint programme; Partners B, C & D are involved in the design of a second new joint programme; and all Partners work together on communication and outreach. We should be able to understand from your proposal why these organisations participate in the same proposal, in which tasks they collaborate and how their collaboration contributes to the project objectives.

Yes, it can be included among the deployed ones. The call is not restricted to European Universities alliances.

Regarding scholarships addressed to students within the consortium, you can consider placing the costs under C1 Travel and Subsistence heading. For other types of student support, you can consider placing the costs under the C3 heading – Other, while specifying the type of support under ‘Any comments’.

For support to students outside the consortium (from universities participating in the joint programmes addressed by the project, but which are not beneficiaries or associated partners in the consortium), please place the costs under D1 - financial support to third parties.

It should be 50% of the EU requested financial contribution.

Yes, it is up to the applicants to decide how to use the budget allocated for student support. The applicants are expected to explain the budget plan according to the project needs and in line with the call objectives, including how to make the joint programmes more inclusive and accessible.

For subcontracting, the ceiling is 30%.

1 million EUR is the maximum amount of the EU financial contribution that can be requested (after applying the 80% co-financing rate).

Yes, and they can be planned under ‘C.3 Purchase costs – other’ in the excel budget table, while specifying the nature of costs under the ‘Any comments’ tab.

It depends on what the service-based support includes. Proposals have to demonstrate how the budget will be used to support students and make the joint programmes more inclusive.

Yes, but these must remain cost neutral and cannot be charged to the project.

They can be planned under ‘C.3 Purchase costs – other’ in the excel budget table, while specifying the nature of costs under the ‘Any comments’ tab.

Yes, they can.

Yes, but you need to be aware of the risk of double funding: the EU financial contribution requested from this call should not support the same type of activities that are being covered through your EMJM grant. In addition, regarding student support, students who receive full EMJM scholarships cannot benefit from this call for the same period during which they receive the EMJM scholarships.

No, this is not mandatory in this call, but the (existing) joint programmes that are listed in your proposals must be identifiable.

It is up to the applicants to decide based on their project needs. It may cover more than one cohort.

Both calls are different with distinct objectives. The design of joint programmes might be a common denominator, but in the context of this call, the final specific outcome should be the award of the label. Please be aware of the risk of double funding: the EU financial contribution requested from this call should not support the same type of activities covered through your EUR-UNIV grant.

The Council Recommendation foresees that the joint European degree label can be awarded by self-accrediting higher education institutions. This possibility will be offered to consortia of self-accrediting higher education institutions that can demonstrate their capacity to apply the assessment methodology that will be defined in the operational guide for the implementation of the joint European degree label (to be released by mid-2026). This capacity should be checked by an EQAR-registered quality assurance agency, granting a self-accrediting higher education institution the capacity to self-award the joint European degree label for a determined period of time.

In short, yes, this will be possible, but it will be pending an operational check by a quality assurance agency that the assessment methodology used by the self-accrediting institution aligns with the agreed assessment methodology.

The two actions are complementary. In fact, for joint programmes that have already received support from EMJM, it might be easier to apply for the label. However, to reduce the risk of double funding, please provide all relevant details in your application with regards to the activities that have already received financial support through EMJM and other similar support schemes.

Existing joint programmes are considered the ones already deployed, i.e., accredited with existing cohorts of students or about to have their first cohort of students.

New joint programmes are programmes not yet accredited at the time of application. New joint programmes can include those: (i) to be designed from scratch; (ii) already partly designed and with accreditation planned for the project duration; (iii) already fully designed with accreditation taking place either during the project lifetime or not earlier than the proposal submission date. In any case, it is up to you to judge which programmes truly qualify as existing or new. What is important is that you maintain consistency in your application and justify your rationale.

Yes, double/dual degree programmes count as joint programmes. However, in your application, you’ll need to demonstrate that you are adapting / designing the joint programmes in a way that meets the label criteria, which means they should lead to the award of a joint degree.

Yes - This is indeed the minimum requirement, i.e., at least four existing joint programmes must be adapted, AND at least two new joint programmes must be designed in line with the label criteria. In addition, at least 50% of the project budget must be devoted to student support.

One of the label criteria is for the joint programme to follow the European Approach for Quality Assurance of Joint Programmes. If this is not done yet, it can be an aspect to adapt during your project lifetime.

The call welcomes both types of joint programmes: those ready to apply for the label and those that need more adaptations.

Please refer to ‘Guidance on the use of generative AI tools for the preparation of the proposal’ of the call document.

No, one of the main goals is to set up a European Leadership Academy – the name is not predefined. Any association with existing leadership academies is coincidental.

Since this is already deployed and accredited at the national level, it perhaps makes more sense to present it as an existing joint programme. However, it is up to you to judge which programmes truly qualify as existing or new. What is important is that you maintain consistency in your application and justify your rationale.

Yes, you can refer to a quality assurance agency that is EQAR-registered and is offering or planning to offer the joint European degree label.

Yes as long as a joint degree is also awarded.

Joint programmes need to be accredited to receive the joint European degree label, either simultaneously with he accreditation decision or later on. The criteria are the same for both situations.

A programme accredited by a self-accrediting higher education institutions is considered as duly accredited without the need to seek external accreditation. A joint programme may require accreditation from external actors in case partners don’t have self-accrediting powers. It is the responsibility of the consortium to determine what are the accreditation requirements to be met depending on the composition of the consortium and the applicable national legislations.

No, the call for proposals encourages the development of joint programmes in STEM, digital technologies and interdisciplinary fields but remains open to joint programmes in all fields and disciplines.

Yes, as long as they provide evidence that the joint programmes they propose to adapt/design fulfil the minimum requirement to receive the label which means that the joint programme includes at least two higher education institutions from at least two EU Member States.

Yes, it can be included among the existing ones.

Yes, since you can justify aligning it with the criteria of the joint European degree label. You must in any case avoid double funding: the EU financial contribution requested from this call should not support the same type of activities that are being covered through your EUR-UNIV grant.