Capacity building in Higher Education: Middle East

The Erasmus+ Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE) for Region 7a (Middle East) is a grant opportunity aimed at enhancing higher education systems in eligible Middle Eastern countries, specifically targeting international partnerships that can modernize and reform these institutions. Eligible applicants are primarily higher education institutions (HEIs), national authorities such as ministries of education, research institutions, and other relevant bodies from countries recognized by international law, including Iran, Iraq, Yemen, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. The program employs lump sum grants, simplifying financial management as these grants are fixed amounts rather than reimbursements. The total indicative budget for the 2026 call is €113,117,100, with €849,755 allocated specifically for a single project under Strand 2, which focuses on partnerships for transformation in higher education. This strand encourages innovative approaches within higher education, addressing areas like curriculum development, digital transformation, and institutional reform aimed at improving educational quality and responsiveness to labor market needs. Eligible projects should be collaborative, requiring multilateral partnerships involving institutions from both the Middle East and Europe or associated countries, operating over a duration of 24 to 36 months. They focus on critical themes such as sustainability under the Green Deal initiative, digital transformation for enhancing educational practices, and creating sustainable growth and jobs. Proposals are evaluated through a two-step assessment that scores on relevance, design quality, partnership strength, and impact, with a minimum score of 60 out of 100 required for funding consideration. The submission process is a single-stage application via the EU Funding & Tenders Portal, with a deadline of February 10, 2026. The evaluation of submitted proposals will occur between March and June 2026, leading to grant agreements finalized by November 2026. Overall, this program reflects a broader EU strategy to foster cooperation and reform in education systems, aligning with sustainable development goals and addressing socio-economic challenges in the participating regions.

The Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE) call, part of 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 enhance the quality, modernisation, and responsiveness of higher education in alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Agreement, addressing 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, divided into three strands: Strand 1 with €23,359,660, Strand 2 with €60,135,486, and Strand 3 with €29,621,954.

For Region 7a Middle East, the indicative budget is €849,755, intended to fund one project under Strand 2. There is flexibility to transfer budgets between strands.

The action is structured in Regions and Strands. In Region 7a Middle East, overarching priorities apply. For Strands 1 and 2, the applicable priorities are further detailed in the regional context:

Green Deal:Projects should contribute to a green and sustainable economic recovery and transition, as well as climate change mitigation and adaptation, by supporting reforms of education systems and strengthening links with the private sector, while also exposing higher education institutions in the Region to European practices.

Digital transformation:Projects should address digital teaching, learning and literacy, and the role of digital skills in job creation and employability. EU policy towards countries in this region also seeks to enhance the transparency of governance through digitalised institutions, e-government and e-services.

Sustainable growth and jobs:Projects should support the Region’s diversification and sustainable development and address the mismatch between the education system and needs of the labour market, also providing support to team up with the private sector, to foster economies that work for all. Projects could be linked with the Green Deal priority by enhancing educational capacities concerning the Region’s green transition.

For Strand 3, projects must address the needs of higher education in the country(ies) concerned at large, supporting structural reforms in third countries not associated to the Programme.

Applicants must identify one of the overarching priorities defined by the European Commission in Part A of the application form. Multiple priorities cannot be selected.

The CBHE action in Region 7a is composed of three specific Strands:

Strand 1:Fostering access to cooperation in higher education. This strand aims to attract less experienced HEIs and small-scale actors, focusing on: HEIs from least developed third countries not associated to the Programme, HEIs located in remote regions/areas, newcomer or less experienced HEIs and Faculties, and students and staff with fewer opportunities. Activities include enhancing management/administrative capacity, ensuring high quality and relevant education, and increasing accessibility for students/staff with fewer opportunities. Examples of activities are: reforming and modernising university governance, establishing international relations offices, creating quality assurance units, enhancing communication mechanisms, building capacities for student and staff mobility, establishing intensive study programmes, developing capacities for postgraduate students and academic staff, implementing training courses for HEI academic staff, creating synergies with the business sector, developing remote and inclusive learning pathways, updating digital technology for students with disabilities, promoting initiatives for positive discrimination, and reducing barriers faced by disadvantaged groups.

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, new learning methods, tools and materials, introduction of Bologna-type reforms, practical training schemes, internships, dual learning systems, solutions for challenging issues, support for innovation centres and incubators, continuous education programmes, reform of governance and management systems, development of strategies and tools for internationalisation, and development of tools and methods for the upskilling of staff.

Strand 3:Structural reform projects. This strand supports efforts in third countries not associated to the Programme to develop coherent, inclusive and sustainable systems of higher education to meet their socio-economic needs and broad ambition to create a knowledge-driven economy, including in the fields of science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM). These projects involve the competent National Authorities (notably Ministries of Education) as well as HEIs, research institutions and other relevant stakeholders.

Admissibility Conditions:

Proposal page limit:40 pages, as described in the call document.

Eligible Countries:As described in the call document.

Evaluation and Award:

Award criteria, scoring, threshold and process are detailed in the call document.

Indicative Timeline:

Publication of the call: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.

Applicants are encouraged to consult the Call document (Programme Guide) for additional guidance and complete information.

Supporting documents include:Call document, Application form templates (Standard application form, Detailed budget table), Guidance (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 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 call for proposals under the Erasmus+ Programme aims to foster capacity building in higher education through international partnerships. It targets universities and higher education systems in eligible third countries not associated with the EU Programme, with a focus on modernisation, quality enhancement, and responsiveness to global challenges. The call is structured into three strands, each addressing specific needs and priorities within the higher education sector. Region 7a, the Middle East, has a specific focus on the Green Deal, digital transformation, and sustainable growth and jobs. The call encourages projects that promote innovation, reform, and structural changes in higher education systems, ultimately contributing to the socio-economic development and knowledge-driven economies of the participating countries.

Eligible Applicant Types: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 targets less experienced HEIs and newcomer organizations.

Funding Type:Grant, specifically ERASMUS Lump Sum Grants (ERASMUS-LS).

Consortium Requirement:A consortium is required, as the program funds international higher-education partnerships.

Beneficiary Scope (Geographic Eligibility):Eligible third countries not associated to the Programme, with a specific focus on Region 7a - Middle East for Strand 2.

Target Sector:Education, specifically higher education. The program also targets areas related to the Green Deal, digital transformation, sustainable growth, jobs, science, technology, engineering, and maths (STEM).

Mentioned Countries:The call focuses on Region 7a - Middle East, and mentions third countries not associated to the Programme.

Project Stage:The projects should be at a stage where they can introduce new approaches and initiatives in higher education, foster access to cooperation, or support structural reforms. This suggests development, validation, and potentially demonstration stages.

Funding Amount:For Region 7a - Middle East, Strand 2 has an indicative budget of €849,755. The total 2026 CBHE indicative budget is €113,117,100, distributed across different strands and regions.

Application Type:Open call.

Nature of Support:Money, through lump sum grants.

Application Stages:1, single-stage.

Success Rates:The indicative number of projects to be funded in Region 7a for Strand 2 is 1, suggesting a potentially low success rate.

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

Summary:

This is a call for proposals under the Erasmus+ Programme, specifically the Capacity Building in Higher Education (CBHE) action. It aims to fund international partnerships that strengthen higher education systems in eligible third countries not associated with the Programme, with a focus on Region 7a, the Middle East. The call has a total indicative budget of €113,117,100 for 2026, with €849,755 allocated to Strand 2 in the Middle East region, which will fund one project.

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). Strand 2, which has funding available for the Middle East region, seeks to introduce new approaches and initiatives in higher education with a long-term impact. Projects should focus on innovation in higher education and reform in HEIs.

Eligible applicants include Higher Education Institutions (HEIs), small-scale actors, National Authorities (Ministries of Education), research institutions, and other relevant bodies from eligible third countries. Projects should align with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Paris Agreement, and the overarching priorities defined by the European Commission, such as the Green Deal, digital transformation, and sustainable growth and jobs.

The application deadline is 10 February 2026. The evaluation period is from March to June 2026, with information to applicants in July 2026 and grant agreement signature in November 2026. The proposal page limit is 40 pages. Applicants must submit their proposals electronically through the Funding & Tenders Portal.