Caribbean

The Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE) call for 2026 targets international higher education partnerships, specifically focusing on the Caribbean region (Region 11). The total indicative budget for this call is €113,117,100, but only €706,657 is allocated for one project under Strand 2, "Partnerships for Transformation." This call is crucial for strengthening the higher education systems of eligible third countries not associated with the Erasmus+ Programme.

Eligible applicants are primarily higher education institutions (HEIs) from Caribbean nations, along with national authorities, research institutions, and organizations from the private sector collaborating with HEIs, prioritizing less experienced institutions and actors from disadvantaged areas.

Funding is provided through ERASMUS Lump Sum Grants, which allows for fixed, predetermined funding amounts, simplifying financial management. A consortium of multiple international partners is required, including at least one HEI from an EU Member State or associated country.

The project stages vary based on the selected strand; Strand 1 aims at fostering access and is more suited for early-stage projects, while Strand 2 focuses on introducing new educational initiatives with long-term impacts, and Strand 3 is aimed at systemic reforms.

Key thematic areas for funding include the Green Deal, Digital Transformation, Governance, Peace, Security, and Sustainable Growth, which reflect the urgent socio-economic challenges faced by the Caribbean.

The application process involves a single-stage submission, and proposals must be submitted electronically by February 10, 2026. The evaluation will take place from March to June 2026, leading to award notifications in July 2026 and grant agreement signatures in November 2026. Given the highly competitive nature of this grant, with only one project expected to be funded, the estimated success rate is below 10%.

Co-funding requirements are not explicitly defined but are typically expected within the Erasmus+ framework. For applicants seeking detailed guidance on co-funding or the overall application process, consultation with the provided resources, including support contacts and official documents, is advised.

This grant opportunity emphasizes a strategic approach to enhancing higher education's role in socio-economic development, modernization, and addressing contemporary global challenges.

The Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE) call under the Erasmus+ Programme aims to fund international higher education partnerships that strengthen universities and systems in eligible third countries not associated with the Programme. The call is aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement, supporting quality, modernization, and responsiveness in higher education to address socio-economic recovery and global challenges. It also contributes to broader 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 11, which encompasses the Caribbean, the indicative budget for 2026 is 706,657 EUR, intended to fund one project under Strand 2. Strands 1 and 3 have no allocated budget for this region. There is flexibility to transfer budgets between strands.

The call prioritizes the following areas in Region 11:

Green Deal: Projects should address climate change adaptation, risk reduction, transition to low-carbon economies, renewable energy, waste management, and sustainable agri-food value chains, given the impact of climate change, natural disasters, and unsustainable waste production on the Caribbean.

Digital Transformation: Investment in digital skills, infrastructure, and inclusion is crucial. The EU-LAC Digital Alliance and the BELLA (Building Europe Link to Latin America) initiative support digital cooperation and connectivity between universities and innovation centers.

Governance, Peace, Security, and Human Development: Projects should contribute to inclusive and resilient societies by creating knowledge and capacity in education, health, gender equality, and inclusiveness.

Sustainable Growth and Jobs: Developing knowledge in areas with growth potential (creative industries, services) and emerging sectors (blue, green, and digital economy) can address connectivity, regional integration, youth unemployment, and brain drain.

Projects that align with the 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 that aligns 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 11 is structured around 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 students/staff with fewer opportunities. Activities include enhancing management/administrative capacity, ensuring high-quality education, and increasing accessibility for students/staff with fewer opportunities. Examples of activities include reforming university governance, establishing international relations offices, developing quality assurance units, creating planning and evaluation units, enhancing communication mechanisms, and building capacities for student/staff mobility. Activities also include developing modules/study programs, establishing intensive study programs, developing capacities for postgraduate students/staff, implementing training courses, creating synergies with the business sector, and developing study programs aligned with the Global Gateway strategy. Activities also include developing remote and inclusive learning pathways, updating digital technology for students with disabilities, promoting initiatives for women and minorities, reducing barriers for disadvantaged groups, and creating inclusive environments.

Strand 2: Partnerships for transformation in higher education. This strand introduces new approaches and initiatives with a long-term impact on HEIs, focusing on innovation in higher education and reform in HEIs. Activities include developing innovative curricula, implementing new learning methods, introducing Bologna-type reforms, practical training schemes, dual learning systems, solutions for challenging issues, supporting innovation centers, and developing continuous education programs. Activities also include reforming governance and management systems, developing internationalization strategies, and developing tools for upskilling academic/administrative staff. Activities also include developing or strengthening relevant study programmes, new training schemes and learning methods that align with the Global Gateway strategy and which inform the country and/or regional priorities.

Strand 3: Structural reform projects. This strand supports efforts in third countries to develop coherent, inclusive, and sustainable higher education systems, including STEM fields, through projects involving national authorities, HEIs, research institutions, and other stakeholders.

The proposal page limit is 40 pages. The call was published on 26 November 2025, with a submission deadline of 10 February 2026 at 17:00 Brussels time. The evaluation period is from March to June 2026, with information to applicants in July 2026 and grant agreement signature in November 2026.

Relevant documents include the Call Document, application form templates (Standard application form, detailed budget table), the Erasmus Programme Guide, guidance on managing lump sum grants, a guide for applicants, model grant agreements (Lump Sum MGA), the Erasmus+ Work Programme, Erasmus Regulation 2021/817, EU Financial Regulation 2024/2509, rules for legal entity validation, and the Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual.

For help, applicants can contact EACEA-EPLUS-CBHE@ec.europa.eu or consult the Funding & Tenders Portal FAQ and IT Helpdesk.

In summary, this Erasmus+ CBHE call provides funding for higher education partnerships to enhance universities and systems in eligible Caribbean countries. It focuses on priorities such as the Green Deal, digital transformation, governance, and sustainable growth, with specific activities outlined for each of the three strands. Strand 2 is the only strand with funding for the Caribbean region. The call aims to modernize higher education, promote international cooperation, and address key challenges in the Caribbean region through targeted projects.

Eligible Applicant Types: The eligible applicant types include Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), small-scale actors, competent National Authorities (notably Ministries of Education), research institutions, and other relevant authorities/bodies and stakeholders from eligible third countries not associated to the Programme. The call specifically targets less experienced HEIs and small-scale actors for Strand 1.

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

Consortium Requirement: The opportunity requires partnerships, implying a consortium of multiple applicants. The call emphasizes international higher-education partnerships.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility focuses on third countries not associated to the Programme, with a specific emphasis on Region 11 – the Caribbean for this particular call.

Target Sector: The program targets the higher education sector, with a focus on capacity building, modernization, and responsiveness in higher education systems. It also targets areas such as Green Deal (climate change, renewable energy, waste management), Digital Transformation (digital skills, infrastructure, inclusion), Governance, Peace, Security and Human Development (education, health, gender equality), and Sustainable Growth and Jobs (creative industries, blue, green, and digital economy), and STEM (science, technology, engineering, and maths).

Mentioned Countries: The opportunity focuses on Region 11, which is the Caribbean. Latin America is also mentioned in the context of the EU-LAC Digital Alliance and the BELLA project (Building Europe Link to Latin America).

Project Stage: The project stage varies depending on the strand. Strand 1 focuses on fostering access to cooperation, suggesting projects at an early stage. Strand 2 aims for transformation, implying projects that introduce new approaches and initiatives. Strand 3 supports structural reforms, indicating projects that are more developed and aim for systemic change.

Funding Amount: For Region 11 – the Caribbean, the indicative budget for Strand 2 is €706,657. The total 2026 CBHE indicative budget is €113,117,100, distributed across different strands and regions.

Application Type: The application type is an open call, as indicated by the publication of the call and the availability of application forms and guidelines.

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

Application Stages: The application process appears to be a single-stage process.

Success Rates: For Region 11 - the Caribbean, only one project is expected to be funded under Strand 2. This suggests a low success rate.

Co-funding Requirement: The information does not explicitly state whether co-funding is required.

Summary:

This opportunity is an ERASMUS+ Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE) call specifically targeting Region 11, the Caribbean. It aims to fund international higher-education partnerships that strengthen universities and systems in eligible third countries not associated to the Programme. The call is structured into three strands: Fostering access to cooperation in higher education (Strand 1), Partnerships for transformation in higher education (Strand 2), and Structural reform projects (Strand 3). However, for the Caribbean region, only Strand 2 has an indicative budget (€706,657) and is expected to fund one project. The call supports projects aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Paris Agreement, Global Gateway initiatives, and the Pact for the Mediterranean. Priorities for the Caribbean region include the Green Deal, Digital Transformation, Governance, Peace, Security and Human Development, and Sustainable Growth and Jobs. Eligible applicants include HEIs, National Authorities, research institutions, and other relevant stakeholders from third countries not associated to the Programme. The application deadline is February 10, 2026. Applicants must submit their proposals electronically through the Funding & Tenders Portal. The call utilizes lump sum grants, and the application process is a single-stage procedure.