Latin America

The ERASMUS-EDU-2026-CBHE-REGION-10 initiative is part of the European Union's capacity-building efforts targeting higher education institutions in Latin American third countries not associated with the Erasmus+ Programme. The total indicative budget for this call is approximately €10.5 million allocated across three strands, with a goal of funding around 12 international cooperative projects.

Eligible applicants for this call primarily include Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) as well as small-scale actors, ministries of education, research institutions, and relevant stakeholders. The initiative aims to enhance educational cooperation, focusing especially on less experienced institutions and those from remote or least developed areas. The opportunity consists of three strands: Strand 1 focuses on fostering access for newcomers in higher education, Strand 2 emphasizes transformational partnerships for innovative practices, and Strand 3 targets structural reforms needing systemic changes.

The funding structure offers Erasmus Lump Sum Grants, providing predetermined budgets that allow for greater flexibility in resource allocation. The application process is a single-stage system, with a planned opening date on December 4, 2025, and a submission deadline of February 10, 2026.

The thematic priorities of the initiative align closely with the European Commission’s Global Gateway strategy, emphasizing sustainability, digital transformation, governance, and social inclusion, with a particular focus on socio-economic growth and addressing global challenges. The action welcomes diverse partnerships, requiring applicants to create multilateral consortiums that foster knowledge exchange among institutions across Europe and Latin America.

Successful proposals are expected to undertake innovative activities in governance, curriculum development, and teaching methodologies, ultimately contributing to the modernization and responsiveness of higher education. Given the competitive nature of this funding opportunity, with only a limited number of projects expected to receive grants, applicants are encouraged to carefully align their proposals with designated priorities to enhance their chances of success.

The Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE) call under the Erasmus+ Programme funds international higher-education partnerships to strengthen universities and systems in eligible third countries not associated with the Programme. The call aims to support quality, modernisation, and responsiveness in higher education, aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement, 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, divided into 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 10 Latin America, the indicative budget is 10,511,508 EUR, with the following distribution across the strands: Strand 1 with 1,561,183 EUR (3 projects), Strand 2 with 5,255,754 EUR (6 projects), and Strand 3 with 3,694,571 EUR (3 projects). A total of 12 projects are expected to be funded in Region 10. There is flexibility in transferring budgets between the strands.

The action is structured in regions and strands. In Region 10 Latin America, the overarching priorities are:

Green Deal: Addressing environmental challenges and enhancing capacities in the region, supporting the private sector's green transition, and enhancing knowledge and skills.

Digital Transformation: Bridging the digital divide, developing digital literacy and skills, fostering links between education, research, and business, and utilizing earth observation and spatial technologies.

Governance, Peace, Security, and Human Development: Strengthening social cohesion, building inclusive societies, and focusing on education, health, gender equality, access and inclusion, and human rights, with attention to vulnerable communities and remote areas. Supporting intra-regional connectivity, recognition of degrees, credit transfer systems, qualifications, and the integration of migrants and refugees through access to education.

Sustainable Growth and Jobs: Supporting sustainable inclusive economic recovery by focusing on emerging sectors like green, blue, digital, and orange economies, and identifying education gaps in cooperation with the private sector.

Proposals that refer to an Erasmus+ Global Gateway relevant priority should select the ‘Global Gateway’ fixed keyword. Strand 3 proposals must align with the Erasmus+ Global Gateway-related priorities defined at country or cluster of countries level. Applicants under Strand 3 for Region 10 should propose academic capacity building aspects that align with the 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 10 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, 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.

Activities aiming at enhancing the management/administrative capacity of the targeted HEIs, such as: reforming and modernising the university governance, including the enhancement of services in particular for the benefit of students (student guidance, counselling and job orientation etc.); establishing or strengthening international relations offices and elaborating internationalisation strategies; establishing new or developing existing quality assurance units and processes/strategy within HEIs; creating or increasing the capacity of planning and evaluation units; enhancing mechanisms for communication and dissemination of results from international cooperation projects; building capacities to support students and staff mobility activities.

Activities aiming at ensuring high quality and relevant education, such as: modules or study programmes, technical or professional orientations of programmes; establishing intensive study programmes bringing together students and teaching staff from participating HEIs for shorter study periods; developing capacities for postgraduate students and academic staff as well as promoting their mobility; implementing training courses for HEI academic staff; creating synergies and strengthening the links with the business sector and with private or public organisations active in the labour market and in the fields of education, training and youth; developing or strengthening relevant study programmes that align with the Global Gateway strategy and which inform the country and/or regional priorities.

Activities aiming at increasing the accessibility of the students/staff with fewer opportunities, such as: developing remote and inclusive learning pathways and opportunities by relying on digital technology and e-learning for vulnerable students; updating the digital technology to develop specific services aiming at ensuring equal and fair learning opportunities to students with disabilities; promoting initiatives aiming at positive discrimination by empowering women and ethnic/religious minorities; developing initiatives addressing and reducing barriers faced by disadvantaged groups in accessing learning opportunities; contributing to creating inclusive environments that foster equity and equality, and that are responsive to the needs of the wider community.

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

Activities include: development, testing and adaptation of innovative curricula in terms of content [key competences and transversal skills, (entrepreneurship, problem-solving, green jobs etc.)], structure (modular, joint…) and teaching/learning methods [including the use of open and flexible learning, virtual mobility, open educational resources, blended learning, Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC), etc.]; development, testing and implementation of new learning methods, tools and materials (like new multidisciplinary curricula, learner-centred and real problem-based teaching and learning) through practical training and placements of students; introduction of Bologna-type reforms (three-level cycle system, transparency tools such as credit systems and Diploma Supplement, quality assurance, evaluation, National/Regional Qualification Frameworks, recognition of prior and non-formal learning, etc.) at institutional level; introducing practical training schemes, internships and study of real-life cases in business and industry, which are fully embedded in the curriculum, recognised and credited; introducing dual learning systems bridging tertiary studies with upper secondary VET as a means to boost the employability of graduates; development of solutions for challenging issues, product and process innovation (students, professors and practitioners together); development and testing solutions to pressing social demands not addressed by the market and directed towards vulnerable groups in society; addressing societal challenges or relating to changes in attitudes and values, strategies and policies, organisational structures and processes, delivery systems and services; support the creation of centres, incubators for innovation, technology transfer and business start-ups, and the integration of education, research and innovation at institutional/regional/national level; development and testing of continuous education programmes and activities with and within enterprises; set-ups to trial and test innovative measures; exchanges of students, researchers, teaching staff and enterprise staff for a limited period; providing incentives for involvement of enterprise staff into teaching and research; reform of governance and management systems and structures at institutional level (incl. quality assurance methods and systems, financial management and HEI autonomy, international relations, student services and counselling, career guidance, academic and research boards, etc.); development of strategies and tools for the internationalisation of HEIs (international openness of curricula, interinstitutional mobility schemes), and their capacity to network effectively in research, scientific and technological innovation (scientific cooperation and knowledge transfer, etc.); development, adaptation and delivery of tools and methods for the upskilling, evaluation/assessment, professionalisation and professional development of academic and administrative staff, for the initial training of teachers and continuous career development; 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 systems of higher education to meet their socio-economic needs and ambition to create a knowledge-driven economy, including in STEM fields. Projects involve National Authorities, HEIs, research institutions, and other relevant stakeholders.

The proposal page limit is 40 pages.

The call was published on 26 November 2025. The deadline for submitting applications is 10 February 2026 at 17:00 Brussels Time. The evaluation period is from March to June 2026. Information to applicants will be provided in July 2026, and the signature of the grant agreement is planned for November 2026.

Applicants should consult the Call document (Programme guide) for additional guidance and complete information.

The call provides funding for international partnerships in higher education, focusing on capacity building and structural reform in third countries not associated with the Erasmus+ Programme, particularly in Latin America. It is structured around three strands, each targeting different aspects of higher education development, from fostering access to cooperation to promoting transformative partnerships and supporting structural reforms. The call emphasizes alignment with EU priorities such as the Sustainable Development Goals, the Paris Agreement, and the Global Gateway strategy, and encourages projects that address key challenges in the region, such as the green and digital transitions, social cohesion, and sustainable growth.

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 in third countries not associated with 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 appears to require a consortium, especially for Strand 3, which involves National Authorities, HEIs, research institutions, and other relevant bodies. Strands 1 and 2 also imply partnerships for cooperation and transformation in higher education.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility): The geographic eligibility focuses on third countries not associated with the Erasmus+ Programme, with a specific emphasis on Region 10 – Latin America.

Target Sector: The target sector is primarily education, specifically higher education, with a focus on capacity building, modernization, and responsiveness in higher education systems. It also touches upon areas like science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM), digital transformation, green economy, governance, peace, security, and human development.

Mentioned Countries: Latin American countries are mentioned as Region 10.

Project Stage: The project stage varies depending on the strand:
 Strand 1: Fostering access to cooperation, implying earlier-stage projects.
 Strand 2: Partnerships for transformation, suggesting development and implementation stages.
 Strand 3: Structural reform projects, indicating a more mature, systemic reform stage.

Funding Amount: The funding amount varies by strand and region. For Region 10 – Latin America:
 Strand 1: Indicative budget of €1,561,183, with 3 projects to be funded.
 Strand 2: Indicative budget of €5,255,754, with 6 projects to be funded.
 Strand 3: Indicative budget of €3,694,571, with 3 projects to be funded.
 The total indicative budget for Region 10 is €10,511,508, with 12 projects to be funded.
 The total 2026 CBHE indicative budget is €113,117,100.

Application Type: The application type is an open call, as indicated by the publication of the call and the availability of application form templates. It is a single-stage application process.

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

Application Stages: The application process is a single-stage process.

Success Rates: The success rates are not explicitly stated, but the indicative number of grants for Region 10 suggests a competitive process.

Co-funding Requirement: The information does not explicitly state a co-funding requirement.

Summary:
 This opportunity is a call for proposals under the Erasmus+ Programme, specifically the Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE) action. It aims to fund international higher-education partnerships that strengthen universities and systems in eligible third countries not associated with the Programme, with a particular focus on Region 10 – Latin America. 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). The total indicative budget for the call is €113,117,100, with €10,511,508 allocated to Region 10. The call supports projects aligned with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Paris Agreement, and the European Commission's overarching priorities, including the Global Gateway initiatives. Eligible applicants include HEIs, National Authorities, research institutions, and other relevant stakeholders. The application deadline is February 10, 2026. Applicants must submit their proposals through the Funding & Tenders Portal. The funding type is ERASMUS Lump Sum Grants. The call aims to promote quality, modernization, and responsiveness in higher education to address socio-economic recovery and global challenges in the targeted regions.