Capacity building in Higher Education: Central Asia

The Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE) program offers funding opportunities through ERASMUS Lump Sum Grants to strengthen higher education systems in third countries not associated with the program, specifically targeting Region 6 – Central Asia, which includes Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. This initiative aligns with the EU's Global Gateway strategy and aims to modernize higher education, promote sustainability, and enhance digital transformation within these regions. Eligible applicants consist of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), research institutions, national authorities such as Ministries of Education, and private sector stakeholders among others. Projects must be proposed by consortia that include partners from at least three different countries, with a focus on fostering collaboration among multilateral partnerships. The program's primary funding mechanism, comprising a total indicative budget of €113,117,100 across all regions, allocates €5,850,012 specifically for six projects in Region 6, divided into three strands: Strand 1 involves fostering access for less experienced HEIs, offering funding between €200,000 and €400,000. Strand 2 supports partnerships for transformative initiatives, with a budget range of €400,000 to €800,000, while Strand 3, aimed at structural reforms, offers between €600,000 and €1,000,000 per project. Each strand targets different stages of project development, from groundwork in higher educational access to extensive systemic reforms. The application process is a single-stage submission through the EU Funding & Tenders Portal, with a deadline of February 10, 2026. Proposals will be evaluated based on their relevance, design quality, partnership quality, and potential impact, requiring a minimum score of 60 out of 100 points to be considered for funding. Although there is no explicit requirement for co-financing, strong voluntary contributions from partners are encouraged to enhance proposal competitiveness. This funding opportunity aims to advance critical thematic priorities including the Green Deal, digital transformation, sustainable growth, and inclusive education, reinforcing the EU’s commitment to fostering international partnerships in higher education and addressing global socio-economic challenges. The evaluation period for submitted proposals will run from March to June 2026, with grant agreements expected to be finalized by November 2026. Overall, the CBHE program represents a strategic effort to not only bolster educational capacities but also align them with broader EU external policy goals, contributing to a sustainable and knowledge-driven economy in the targeted regions.

The Erasmus+ Programme, under the call Capacity Building in Higher Education (ERASMUS-EDU-2026-CBHE), aims to fund international higher-education partnerships that strengthen universities and systems in eligible third countries not associated with the Programme. This initiative aligns 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 call utilizes ERASMUS Lump Sum Grants (ERASMUS-LS) with the ERASMUS Lump Sum Grant [ERASMUS-AG-LS] Model Grant Agreement.

The total indicative budget for the 2026 CBHE call is €113,117,100, divided among three strands: Strand 1 (€23,359,660), Strand 2 (€60,135,486), and Strand 3 (€29,621,954).

For Region 6 – Central Asia, the indicative budget and number of projects to be funded are as follows: Strand 1 (€563,335, 1 project), Strand 2 (€3,120,006, 3 projects), and Strand 3 (€2,166,671, 2 projects), resulting in a total indicative budget of €5,850,012 for 6 projects. There is flexibility in transferring budgets between the Strands.

The call is structured in regions and strands. In Region 6 – Central Asia, the overarching priorities for Strands 1 and 2 include:

Green Deal:Accelerating the transition towards a green and circular economy and tackling trans-regional environmental challenges through links with the private sector and enhanced study and educational capacities.

Digital transformation:Improving the digital economy and digital infrastructure for skills development and job creation.

Sustainable growth and jobs:Promoting knowledge-based economies and enhancing synergies between education systems and the labor market, linked with promoting digital literacy and skills.

Proposals that refer to an Erasmus+ Global Gateway priority should select the ‘Global Gateway’ fixed keyword. Strand 3 proposals must align with the Erasmus+ Global Gateway-related priorities defined at the country or cluster of countries level, available at international-partnerships.ec.europa.eu. Applicants for Strand 3 in Region 6 should propose academic capacity building aspects that align with the Global Gateway investment priorities. Applicants must identify one of the overarching priorities in Part A of the application form.

The CBHE action in Region 6 is composed of three specific 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 not associated with the Programme.

HEIs located in remote regions/areas of third countries not associated with the Programme.

Newcomers or less experienced HEIs and Faculties from third countries not associated with the Programme.

Students and staff with fewer opportunities.

Activities under Strand 1 may include:

Enhancing the management/administrative capacity of HEIs (reforming university governance, establishing international relations offices, quality assurance units, planning and evaluation units, communication mechanisms, and building capacities for student/staff mobility).

Ensuring high quality and relevant education (modules or study programmes, intensive study programmes, developing capacities for postgraduate students and academic staff, implementing training courses, creating synergies with the business sector, and developing study programmes aligned with the Global Gateway strategy).

Increasing the accessibility of students/staff with fewer opportunities (developing remote and inclusive learning pathways, updating digital technology for students with disabilities, promoting initiatives for women and ethnic/religious minorities, addressing barriers faced by disadvantaged groups, and contributing to inclusive environments).

Strand 2:Partnerships for transformation in higher education. This strand introduces new approaches and initiatives with a significant and long-term impact on the targeted HEIs, pursuing:

Innovation in higher education.

Reform in HEIs.

Activities under Strand 2 may include:

Developing, testing, and adapting innovative curricula (key competences, transversal skills, entrepreneurship, problem-solving, green jobs, modular structure, joint programs, teaching/learning methods, open and flexible learning, virtual mobility, open educational resources, blended learning, MOOCs).

Implementing new learning methods, tools, and materials (multidisciplinary curricula, learner-centered and real problem-based teaching and learning, practical training, placements).

Introducing Bologna-type reforms (three-level cycle system, transparency tools, quality assurance, evaluation, National/Regional Qualification Frameworks, recognition of prior and non-formal learning).

Introducing practical training schemes, internships, and study of real-life cases in business and industry.

Introducing dual learning systems bridging tertiary studies with upper secondary VET.

Developing solutions for challenging issues, product and process innovation.

Developing solutions to pressing social demands not addressed by the market.

Supporting the creation of centers, incubators for innovation, technology transfer, and business start-ups.

Developing continuous education programmes and activities with enterprises.

Setting up trials and testing innovative measures, exchanges of students, researchers, teaching staff, and enterprise staff.

Reforming governance and management systems (quality assurance, financial management, HEI autonomy, international relations, student services, career guidance, academic and research boards).

Developing strategies and tools for the internationalization of HEIs (international openness of curricula, interinstitutional mobility schemes, networking in research, scientific and technological innovation).

Developing tools and methods for the upskilling, evaluation/assessment, professionalization, and professional development of academic and administrative staff.

Developing study programmes, training schemes, and learning methods aligned with the Global Gateway strategy.

Strand 3:Structural reform projects. This strand supports efforts in third countries not associated with the Programme to develop coherent, inclusive, and sustainable systems of higher education, including in STEM fields, through Structural Reform projects involving National Authorities, HEIs, research institutions, and other relevant stakeholders.

The admissibility conditions include a proposal page limit of 40 pages, as described in the call document. Eligible countries are also described in the call document. The evaluation criteria, scoring, threshold, and process are detailed in the call document.

Key dates for the call are:

Publication:26 November 2025.

Deadline for submitting applications:10 February 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)), guidance documents (ERASMUS Programme Guide, How to manage your lump sum grants, 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 the Funding & Tenders Portal Online Manual.

The call aims to foster international collaboration in higher education, focusing on capacity building, modernization, and addressing global challenges in eligible third countries through three distinct strands, each with specific objectives and activities. The total budget for the call is €113,117,100, with a specific allocation of €5,850,012 for Region 6 – Central Asia. The call encourages projects that align with the Sustainable Development Goals, the Paris Agreement, and the EU's Global Gateway initiatives, promoting quality, inclusive, and sustainable higher education systems.

Eligible Applicant Types:The eligible applicant types include Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) from third countries not associated with the Programme, small-scale actors, newcomer organizations, and competent National Authorities (notably Ministries of Education) of third countries not associated to the Programme, research institutions and other relevant authorities/bodies and stakeholders. The call targets less experienced HEIs, HEIs located in remote regions/areas, and Faculties from third countries not associated with the Programme.

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

Consortium Requirement:The opportunity requires a consortium, especially for Strand 3 which involves National Authorities, HEIs, research institutions and other relevant authorities/bodies and stakeholders. Strands 1 and 2 also imply partnerships between HEIs.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility):The geographic eligibility focuses on third countries not associated to the Programme, with a specific emphasis on Region 6 – Central Asia.

Target Sector:The target sectors are higher education, green and circular economy, digital transformation, sustainable growth and jobs, science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). The program aims to modernize higher education systems, enhance digital literacy and skills, and promote knowledge-based economies.

Mentioned Countries:The opportunity focuses on Region 6 – Central Asia. No specific countries are mentioned, but the region of Central Asia is the focus.

Project Stage:The project stage ranges from development and adaptation to implementation and structural reform. Strand 1 focuses on fostering access and cooperation, Strand 2 on partnerships for transformation, and Strand 3 on structural reform projects.

Funding Amount:The funding amount varies by strand and region. For Region 6 – Central Asia, the indicative budgets are: Strand 1: €563,335, Strand 2: €3,120,006, Strand 3: €2,166,671. The total indicative budget for Region 6 is €5,850,012. The total 2026 CBHE indicative budget is €113,117,100.

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 lump sum grants.

Application Stages:The application process involves a single stage.

Success Rates:The success rates are not explicitly mentioned, but the indicative number of projects to be funded in Region 6 is 6.

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

Summary:

The Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE) program is an EU funding opportunity designed to strengthen higher education systems in third countries not associated with the program, with a particular focus on Region 6 – Central Asia for this specific call. The program aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Paris Agreement, and the EU's broader external policy goals, including the Global Gateway initiatives.

The call is structured around 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). Each strand targets different aspects of higher education development, from enhancing management capacities and ensuring quality education to supporting structural reforms and promoting a knowledge-driven economy.

Eligible applicants include Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), small-scale actors, newcomer organizations, and National Authorities from third countries not associated with the program. The funding is provided as lump sum grants, and projects are expected to contribute to overarching priorities such as the Green Deal, digital transformation, and sustainable growth and jobs.

The total indicative budget for the 2026 CBHE call is €113,117,100, with €5,850,012 allocated to Region 6 – Central Asia. The call follows a single-stage submission process, with a deadline of February 10, 2026. The evaluation period is from March to June 2026, and grant agreements are expected to be signed in November 2026.

This opportunity aims to promote international partnerships, modernize higher education systems, and address socio-economic challenges in third countries through targeted capacity building and structural reform projects.