Asia

The Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE) program for Region 5a, targeting Asia, offers funding aimed at enhancing higher education systems and institutions in eligible third countries not associated with the program. This opportunity, with a total indicative budget of €19,620,000 for Region 5a from a larger €113,117,100 budget for the entire 2026 CBHE action, allows for significant transnational partnerships involving higher education institutions (HEIs), research institutions, relevant public authorities, and other stakeholders.

The application process is structured as an open call with a single-stage submission procedure, requiring organizations to submit comprehensive proposals directly through the EU Funding & Tenders Portal. The deadline for applications is February 10, 2026, and the evaluation of submissions will occur from March to June 2026. Successful applicants will be notified in July 2026, with grant agreements signed in November 2026.

Funding is provided through ERASMUS Lump Sum Grants, allowing for more flexibility in budget management without complex cost reimbursement processes. Three strands are outlined: Strand 1, focusing on less experienced HEIs, supports fostering access to cooperation; Strand 2 emphasizes transformative partnerships for innovation and reform; and Strand 3 aims for structural reforms within higher education systems.

Key thematic priorities for funded projects include supporting the Green Deal and promoting environmental sustainability, facilitating digital transformation and skills development, integrating migrants and enhancing educational access, improving governance and human development, and fostering sustainable economic growth through youth upskilling.

While the specific countries within Asia eligible for this opportunity are not listed, applicants must involve partners from EU Member States or associated countries. A requirement exists for multilateral partnerships, enhancing international collaboration. The average grant amount across the region is about €850,000, with targeted allocations for each strand varying significantly.

Applicants are urged to align their proposals with EU priorities and the overarching themes defined in the program guide. Co-funding is typically expected, although specific percentages were not detailed.

This opportunity aligns with broader EU goals, including the Global Gateway initiative, aimed at fostering international partnerships and addressing socio-economic challenges through enhanced educational cooperation. With 23 projects anticipated, the program represents a strategic avenue for organizations seeking to modernize and strengthen their educational infrastructure and systems in line with EU standards and expectations.

The Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE) call, part of the Erasmus+ program, aims to foster international partnerships that strengthen higher education institutions and systems in eligible third countries not associated with the program. This initiative aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement, promoting quality, modernization, and responsiveness in higher education to address socio-economic recovery and global challenges. It also supports EU external policy goals, including Global Gateway initiatives and the Pact for the Mediterranean.

The total indicative budget for the 2026 CBHE call is 113,117,100 EUR, distributed across three strands: Strand 1 with 23,359,660 EUR, Strand 2 with 60,135,486 EUR, and Strand 3 with 29,621,954 EUR. For Region 5a Asia, the indicative budget is 19,620,000 EUR, with 1,913,857 EUR allocated to Strand 1 (4 projects), 11,053,521 EUR to Strand 2 (13 projects), and 6,652,622 EUR to Strand 3 (6 projects). There is flexibility in transferring budgets between strands.

The call prioritizes several key areas for Region 5a Asia:

Green Deal: Projects should address climate change and environmental degradation, building capacities for climate-resilient studies and supporting the green and economic transition by strengthening links with the private sector and enhancing skills for a modern workforce.

Digital Transformation: Projects should promote digital technologies and services to foster socio-economic development, bridge the digital divide by developing digital literacy and skills, and support the digital economy through digital education strategies.

Integration of Migrants: Projects should promote mobility, support the recognition of degrees and credentials, and facilitate the integration of migrants and displaced persons through access to education.

Governance, Peace, Security, and Human Development: Projects should advance social cohesion by creating knowledge, awareness, and capacity for democratic governance, human development, and intercultural dialogue, exposing the region to European best practices.

Sustainable Growth and Jobs: Projects should support upskilling the young population, identify education gaps that contribute to economic growth and jobs, and export the EU’s sustainable growth and governance model.

Projects aligning with Erasmus+ Global Gateway priorities should select the ‘Global Gateway’ keyword. Strand 3 proposals must align with Erasmus+ Global Gateway-related priorities defined at the country or cluster of countries level, focusing on academic capacity building aspects that align with Global Gateway investment priorities. Applicants must identify one of the overarching priorities defined by the European Commission in Part A of the application form.

The CBHE action in Region 5a is structured into three strands:

Strand 1: Fostering access to cooperation in higher education. This strand targets less experienced HEIs and small-scale actors, focusing on HEIs from least developed third countries, HEIs in remote regions, newcomer HEIs and faculties, and students and staff with fewer opportunities. Activities include enhancing management and administrative capacity, ensuring high-quality and relevant education, and increasing accessibility for students and staff with fewer opportunities. Examples of activities are reforming university governance, establishing international relations offices, developing quality assurance units, creating planning and evaluation units, developing study programs aligned with the Global Gateway strategy, and developing remote and inclusive learning pathways.

Strand 2: Partnerships for transformation in higher education. This strand aims to introduce new approaches and initiatives in higher education with a significant and long-term impact, focusing on innovation and reform in HEIs. Activities include developing innovative curricula, implementing new learning methods, introducing Bologna-type reforms, introducing practical training schemes, developing solutions for challenging issues, supporting innovation centers, reforming governance and management systems, and developing strategies for the internationalization of HEIs. Examples of activities are the development of innovative curricula, the introduction of Bologna-type reforms, the introduction of practical training schemes, the development of solutions for challenging issues, the support of innovation centers, and the reform of governance and management systems.

Strand 3: Structural reform projects. This strand supports efforts in third countries to develop coherent, inclusive, and sustainable systems of higher education to meet their socio-economic needs and create a knowledge-driven economy, particularly in STEM fields. Projects involve national authorities, HEIs, research institutions, and other relevant stakeholders.

The proposal page limit is 40 pages, as described in the call document. The evaluation criteria, scoring, threshold, and process are also detailed in the call document.

Key dates:

Publication of the call: November 26, 2025.

Deadline for submitting applications: February 10, 2026, 17:00 Brussels Time.

Evaluation period: March-June 2026.

Information to applicants: July 2026.

Signature of grant agreement: November 2026.

Relevant documents include the Call Document, Application Form Templates (Standard application form ERASMUS BB and LSII, Detailed budget table ERASMUS LSII), Erasmus Programme Guide, Guide for Applicants, Model Grant Agreements (Lump Sum MGA), 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, and Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual.

For help related to this call, contact EACEA-EPLUS-CBHE@ec.europa.eu. Additional support is available through the Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ and the IT Helpdesk.

In summary, this Erasmus+ CBHE call provides funding for international higher education partnerships aimed at strengthening higher education in third countries, particularly in Asia Region 5a. The call is structured around three strands, each targeting different aspects of higher education development, from fostering access to cooperation to implementing structural reforms. The call emphasizes alignment with EU priorities such as the Green Deal, digital transformation, and the Global Gateway initiative. The application process involves submitting a proposal by the deadline, adhering to specific formatting and content requirements, and undergoing an evaluation process based on criteria outlined in the call document. This is a significant opportunity for HEIs to enhance their capacity, modernize their programs, and contribute to the broader socio-economic development of their regions.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types are Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) from least developed third countries not associated to the Programme, HEIs located in remote regions/areas of third countries not associated to the Programme, Newcomers or less experienced HEIs and Faculties from third countries not associated to the Programme, and other relevant authorities/bodies and stakeholders. The call also targets students and staff with fewer opportunities. Competent National Authorities (notably Ministries of Education) of third countries not associated to the Programme are eligible, especially for Strand 3.

Funding Type: The funding type is a grant, specifically ERASMUS Lump Sum Grants (ERASMUS-LS).

Consortium Requirement: The opportunity requires a consortium, as it involves international higher-education partnerships. Strand 3 projects must involve the competent National Authorities (notably Ministries of Education) of third countries not associated to the Programme as well as HEIs, research institutions and other relevant authorities/bodies and stakeholders.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility focuses on third countries not associated with the Erasmus+ Programme, with a specific focus on Region 5a Asia for some strands. The program targets international higher-education partnerships.

Target Sector: The target sector is higher education, with a focus on capacity building, modernization, and responsiveness in higher education systems. It also includes thematic priorities such as the Green Deal, digital transformation, integration of migrants, governance, peace, security and human development, and sustainable growth and jobs, as well as STEM fields for Strand 3.

Mentioned Countries: The opportunity focuses on Region 5a Asia, which implies that countries within Asia are the target beneficiaries. The text also mentions third countries not associated to the Programme, which implies that EU member states, EEA countries, and EU candidate countries are not the target beneficiaries.

Project Stage: The project stage varies depending on the strand. Strand 1 focuses on fostering access to cooperation, suggesting projects at an earlier stage of development. Strand 2 focuses on partnerships for transformation, implying projects that introduce new approaches and initiatives. Strand 3 focuses on structural reform, suggesting projects that are more mature and aim for systemic change.

Funding Amount: The total indicative budget for 2026 is €113,117,100. For Region 5a Asia, the total indicative budget is €19,620,000, distributed across the three strands: Strand 1 has €1,913,857, Strand 2 has €11,053,521, and Strand 3 has €6,652,622.

Application Type: The application type is an open call, with a single-stage submission process.

Nature of Support: The beneficiaries will receive money in the form of lump sum grants.

Application Stages: The application process consists of a single stage.

Success Rates: The success rates are not explicitly mentioned, but the indicative number of projects to be funded in Region 5a Asia provides some insight: 4 projects for Strand 1, 13 projects for Strand 2, and 6 projects for Strand 3, out of all the applications received.

Co-funding Requirement: The text does not explicitly mention a co-funding requirement.

Summary:

This opportunity is an Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE) call for proposals, specifically targeting international higher-education partnerships that aim to strengthen universities and systems in third countries not associated with the Erasmus+ Programme. The call is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement, focusing on quality, modernization, and responsiveness in higher education to address socio-economic recovery and global challenges. The call is structured into three strands, each with a specific focus: Fostering access to cooperation in higher education (Strand 1), Partnerships for transformation in higher education (Strand 2), and Structural reform projects (Strand 3). The geographic focus for this specific extract is Region 5a Asia. The total indicative budget for the call is €113,117,100, with €19,620,000 allocated to Region 5a Asia. The application process is a single-stage open call, with a deadline of February 10, 2026. Eligible applicants include Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) and other relevant stakeholders from third countries not associated with the Programme. The funding type is ERASMUS Lump Sum Grants. Projects should align with overarching priorities such as the Green Deal, digital transformation, integration of migrants, governance, peace, security and human development, and sustainable growth and jobs. Applicants should consult the Call document (Programme Guide) for additional guidance and complete information.