Overview
The European Commission is releasing funding opportunities through the Erasmus+ Programme under the call ERASMUS-EDU-2026-POL-EXP, focusing on European Policy Experimentations. This initiative aims to support transnational cooperation projects that develop, implement, and test innovative strategies to address priority policies across various countries. The specific goal is to enhance adult participation in learning within familiar environments, helping to overcome common barriers such as time constraints and caregiving responsibilities. Suitable activities may occur in libraries, community centers, cultural venues, and workplaces. The program strongly encourages partnership approaches involving various organizations. Funding will be provided through ERASMUS Lump Sum Grants, with the project type characterized as a single-stage application process. The total budget allocated for this particular call is €5 million, intended to cover multiple topics, including digital skills and basic skills development. Key dates for the call include its publication on December 22, 2025, with applications opening on January 6, 2026, and closing on April 8, 2026. The evaluation period will run from April to July 2026, with results communicated to applicants by October 2026 and grant agreements anticipated to be signed by January 2027. Eligible applicants include adult education centers, non-governmental organizations, local authorities, cultural institutions, and other organizations involved in adult education. The call encourages collaborations among diverse organizations across the EU and EEA, helping ensure a wide range of input and innovation in the projects proposed. The success rates for applications are not explicitly mentioned but are expected to reflect competitive dynamics typical of Erasmus+ funding opportunities, where demand often exceeds available funds significantly. There are no mandatory co-funding requirements outlined, but specific eligibility criteria and admissibility conditions are available in the detailed call documents. Proposals must adhere to defined guidelines regarding layout and page limits, particularly for the technical descriptions of the projects. In summary, this Erasmus+ opportunity represents a significant commitment by the EU to foster evidence-based policy through innovative projects aimed at increasing adult learning and addressing barriers to education in various accessible settings. The initiative prioritizes inclusivity, cooperation, and practical experimentation to develop effective educational solutions across Europe.
Highlights
The European Commission is offering funding through the Erasmus+ Programme for European Policy Experimentations under the call ERASMUS-EDU-2026-POL-EXP. This initiative supports transnational cooperation projects focused on developing, implementing, and testing innovative approaches to address policy priorities across different countries. The goal is to foster mutual learning and evidence-based policymaking at the European level.
The specific topic of this call seeks proposals that pilot innovative strategies to encourage adult participation in learning activities within their familiar environments. It also aims to provide flexible learning options that overcome common barriers such as time constraints or care responsibilities. Eligible environments for these activities include libraries, community centers, cultural venues, sports facilities, health and social inclusion centers, workplaces, and public employment services. Partnership approaches involving diverse organizations are highly encouraged.
The type of action is ERASMUS-LS, Erasmus Lump Sum Grants, with the Model Grant Agreement being the ERASMUS Lump Sum Grant [ERASMUS-AG-LS]. The deadline model is single-stage.
Key Dates:
Publication of the call:22 December 2025
Planned opening date:06 January 2026
Deadline for submitting applications:8 April 2026, 17:00 Brussels time
Evaluation period:April - July 2026
Information to applicants:October 2026
Signature of grant agreement:by January 2027
Conditions for Application:
1. Admissibility Conditions:
- Proposal page limit:The Part B of the Application Form (Technical Description) has a page limit of 40 pages, including the list of relevant previous projects.
- Layout:The layout requirements are detailed in the Important Notice of the Part B of the Application Form, available in the Submission System. Further details are described in the call document.
2. Eligible Countries:Eligibility is described in the call document.
3. Other Eligible Conditions:Other eligibility requirements are described in the call document.
4. Financial and Operational Capacity and Exclusion:Requirements related to financial and operational capacity, as well as exclusion criteria, are described in the call document.
5. Evaluation and Award:
- Submission and evaluation processes are described in the call document.
- Award criteria, scoring, and thresholds are described in the call document.
- The indicative timeline for evaluation and grant agreement is described in the call document.
6. Legal and Financial Set-Up of the Grants:Not applicable (n/a).
Available Documents and Annexes:
- Call document
- Application form templates:
- Standard application form (ERASMUS BB and LSII)
- Detailed budget table (ERASMUS LSII)
- Guidance:
- Erasmus+ Programme Guide, specifically Part C - Information for Applicants
- Model Grant Agreements (MGA):
- Lump Sum MGA
- Additional documents:
- Erasmus+ Work Programme
- Erasmus Regulation 2021/817
- EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509
- Rules for Legal Entity Validation, LEAR Appointment and Financial Capacity Assessment
- EU Grants AGA Annotated Model Grant Agreement
- How to manage your lump sum grants
- Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual
- Funding & Tenders Portal Terms and Conditions
- Funding & Tenders Portal Privacy Statement
Budget Overview:
The call includes multiple topics with varying budgets:
ERASMUS-EDU-2026-POL-EXP-T01-DIGITAL-CONTENT:€2,000,000
ERASMUS-EDU-2026-POL-EXP-T02-DIGITAL-ETHICSAI:€6,000,000
ERASMUS-EDU-2026-POL-EXP-T03-DIGITAL-BS:€5,000,000
ERASMUS-EDU-2026-POL-EXP-T04-MICRO-CRED:€3,000,000
ERASMUS-EDU-2026-POL-EXP-T05-SCHOOL-STEM:€6,000,000
ERASMUS-EDU-2026-POL-EXP-T06-SCHOOL-BS:€9,000,000
ERASMUS-EDU-2026-POL-EXP-T07-VET-BS:€5,000,000
ERASMUS-EDU-2026-POL-EXP-T08-VET-QUALIFICATIONS:€8,000,000
ERASMUS-EDU-2026-POL-EXP-T09-ADULT-PS:€5,000,000
ERASMUS-EDU:€5,000,000
All topics follow a single-stage submission process, with the same opening and deadline dates.
Partner Search:
There are 7 partner search announcements available for collaboration on this topic. LEARs, Account Administrators, or self-registrants can publish partner requests for open and forthcoming topics after logging into the Portal, as well as any user having an active public Person profile.
Submission:
The submission system is planned to open on the date stated in the topic header.
Support:
For help related to this call, contact EACEA-POLICY-SUPPORT@EC.EUROPA.EU. Additional support resources include the Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ, IT Helpdesk, and Online Manual.
In summary, this Erasmus+ call invites transnational projects to experiment with innovative approaches to boost adult learning in accessible environments. It aims to break down barriers to training and promote evidence-based policies across Europe. The call provides lump sum grants for various topics related to digital skills, ethical AI, basic skills, micro-credentials, STEM education, and adult empowerment. Applicants should carefully review the call documents and guidelines to ensure their proposals meet the admissibility and eligibility criteria.
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Breakdown
Eligible Applicant Types:The eligible applicant types are not explicitly stated in the provided text. However, the text mentions "partnership approaches between different kinds of organisations are often most effective," suggesting that a variety of organizations, including libraries, community centers, cultural centers, sport centers, health and social inclusion centers, workplaces, and public employment services, could be eligible, potentially in a consortium. Further details would be available in the call document.
Funding Type:The funding type is a grant, specifically an "ERASMUS Lump Sum Grant (ERASMUS-LS)."
Consortium Requirement:The text suggests that while not explicitly required, "Partnership approaches between different kinds of organisations are often most effective," implying that a consortium is preferred or highly recommended.
Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility):The geographic eligibility is not explicitly stated in the provided text but is expected to be detailed in the call document under "Eligible Countries." Given the context of the Erasmus+ program and European policy experimentations, it is likely to include EU member states and potentially other countries associated with the Erasmus+ program.
Target Sector:The program targets the education sector, specifically adult education, vocational education and training (VET), and school education with a focus on digital skills, digital ethics/AI, basic skills, STEM (science, technology, engineering, and mathematics), micro-credentials, personal and social development.
Mentioned Countries:No specific countries are mentioned in the provided text. The program operates at the European level.
Project Stage:The project stage is "policy experimentations," which involves developing, implementing, and testing the relevance, effectiveness, potential impact, and scalability of activities. This suggests projects should be at the demonstration or validation stage, ready for piloting and testing innovative approaches.
Funding Amount:The funding amounts vary by topic, ranging from €2,000,000 to €9,000,000. Specifically:
ERASMUS-EDU-2026-POL-EXP-T01-DIGITAL-CONTENT:€2,000,000
ERASMUS-EDU-2026-POL-EXP-T02-DIGITAL-ETHICSAI:€6,000,000
ERASMUS-EDU-2026-POL-EXP-T03-DIGITAL-BS:€5,000,000
ERASMUS-EDU-2026-POL-EXP-T04-MICRO-CRED:€3,000,000
ERASMUS-EDU-2026-POL-EXP-T05-SCHOOL-STEM:€6,000,000
ERASMUS-EDU-2026-POL-EXP-T06-SCHOOL-BS:€9,000,000
ERASMUS-EDU-2026-POL-EXP-T07-VET-BS:€5,000,000
ERASMUS-EDU-2026-POL-EXP-T08-VET-QUALIFICATIONS:€8,000,000
ERASMUS-EDU-2026-POL-EXP-T09-ADULT-PS:€5,000,000
ERASMUS-EDU:€5,000,000
Application Type:The application type is an "open call," with a single-stage submission process.
Nature of Support:Beneficiaries will receive money in the form of a lump sum grant.
Application Stages:There is a single stage for the application process.
Success Rates:The success rates are not mentioned in the provided text.
Co-funding Requirement:The text does not explicitly mention a co-funding requirement.
Summary:
This opportunity is a call for proposals under the Erasmus+ program, specifically for European policy experimentations aimed at developing and testing innovative approaches in education. The focus is on adult education, school education and vocational training, with specific topics including digital content, digital ethics/AI, basic skills, STEM, micro-credentials, personal and social development and vocational qualifications. The program seeks to stimulate adults to engage in learning activities and overcome barriers to training. Partnership approaches are encouraged. The funding is provided as lump sum grants, ranging from €2,000,000 to €9,000,000 per project, depending on the topic. The application process is a single-stage open call with a deadline of April 8, 2026. Eligible applicants are expected to be detailed in the call document, but the program encourages partnerships between various types of organizations, including educational institutions, community centers, workplaces, and public services. The call aims to support evidence-based policy at the European level through transnational cooperation and mutual learning.
Short Summary
Impact This funding aims to pilot innovative strategies to encourage adult participation in learning activities within familiar environments, addressing barriers such as time constraints and care responsibilities. | Impact | This funding aims to pilot innovative strategies to encourage adult participation in learning activities within familiar environments, addressing barriers such as time constraints and care responsibilities. |
Applicant Eligible applicants should have experience in adult education, including skills in project management, transnational cooperation, and innovative educational approaches. | Applicant | Eligible applicants should have experience in adult education, including skills in project management, transnational cooperation, and innovative educational approaches. |
Developments The funding will support projects focused on adult education and lifelong learning, specifically targeting upskilling and reskilling initiatives in various community settings. | Developments | The funding will support projects focused on adult education and lifelong learning, specifically targeting upskilling and reskilling initiatives in various community settings. |
Applicant Type This funding is designed for adult education centres, NGOs, local authorities, continuing education providers, and cultural institutions involved in adult learning. | Applicant Type | This funding is designed for adult education centres, NGOs, local authorities, continuing education providers, and cultural institutions involved in adult learning. |
Consortium A consortium of multiple applicants from different countries is required for this funding opportunity. | Consortium | A consortium of multiple applicants from different countries is required for this funding opportunity. |
Funding Amount The total budget for this topic is €5,000,000, with individual project amounts to be determined through competitive evaluation. | Funding Amount | The total budget for this topic is €5,000,000, with individual project amounts to be determined through competitive evaluation. |
Countries Eligible countries include EU member states, EEA countries, and EU candidate countries participating in the Erasmus+ programme. | Countries | Eligible countries include EU member states, EEA countries, and EU candidate countries participating in the Erasmus+ programme. |
Industry This funding targets the adult education sector, focusing on innovative approaches to lifelong learning and skills development. | Industry | This funding targets the adult education sector, focusing on innovative approaches to lifelong learning and skills development. |
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